Northern Madagascar - Madagascar - page 293

A private car to Andapa will cost you Ar60,000, so buying the two front seats in a brousse
is a far less expensive while still comfortable proposition.
Parc National de Marojejy
This is one of Madagascar's great undiscovered parks, a fact all the more astonishing be-
cause it is one of the best managed and easiest to get to. You can fly from Antana-narivo to
Sambava, jump in a taxi, and 2½ hours later you are off on a world-class trek.
The park consists of over 550 sq km of pristine mountainous rainforest - an often thick,
steep, and root-filled jungle with numerous streams and waterfalls . It is a primordial place,
where the astonishing 'angel of the forest', the silky sifaka, inhabits misty mountains, and
spectacular views of the Marojejy Massif peek through the canopy. For naturalists, the area
is noted for its extraordinary biodiversity, including 2000 types of plants, 147 species of
reptilesandamphibians,118speciesofbirds,and11speciesoflemurs,about70%ofwhich
are endemic to Madagascar. It also ascends through four levels of forest, enhancing the
variety of experience. In 2007 the park was designated a Unesco World Heritage Site.
The local MNP office here is to be applauded. Assisted by American researcher Erik
Patel, whose Simpona ( www.simpona.org ) organisation works to protect the silky sifaka,
theyhaveconstructedthreequalitycampsatdifferentaltitudes,eachsetinanattractiveloc-
ation. Trained guides, cooks, and porters provide excellent service. Cabins are cleaned reg-
ularly. Revenue is distributed to local communities, helping turn conservation into a win-
ningenterprise. There isalso anexcellent interpretation centre at the parkoffice (with signs
in English), a model for parks elsewhere. For more information see www.marojejy.com .
RÉSERVE SPÉCIALE D'ANJANAHARIBE-SUD
The entry permit for Marojejy also provides entry to the Réserve Spéciale
d'Anjanaharibe-Sud. This 182.5-sq-km area to the southwest is little visited. It
is 20km from Andapa by rutted dirt road, has no facilities, and offers much of
the same vegetation and wildlife as Marojejy. That said, it is a place of outstand-
ing beauty and solitude, where the wail of the indri can be heard. More informa-
tion is available at the park office.
Park Fees & Guides
The MNP office ( 88 070 27; [e-mail]) is located near the 66km post on
the main Sambava-Andapa road, just before Manantenina, and arranges entry permits
(per 1/2/3/4 days Ar10,000/15,000/20,000/25,000). Guide/cook fees are Ar15,000/9000
per day if you provide the guide's food, Ar18,000/12,000 otherwise. Porters are Ar4000 to
Ar7000 per day depending on the length of the hike. Camping is Ar6000 a day per bed.