Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NORTH OF TAMATAVE
Parc Zoologique Ivoloina
The
Parc Zoologique Ivoloina
( 53 012 17;
www.seemadagascar.com
;
admission
Ar10,000; 9am-5pm) is a very well-run zoo and botanical garden set on a lovely lake
just north of Tamatave. The beautiful grounds cover 282 hectares and contain more than 100
lemurs from a dozen different species, both caged and semi-wild, as well as chameleons,
radiated tortoises, tree boas and tomato frogs. The botanical garden contains more than 75
species of native and exotic plants, and a model farm designed to demonstrate sustainable
agriculturalmethods.VisitorscanenjoyfourwalkingtrailswithbookletsinEnglish,pirogue
trips around the lake (Ar6000), a snack bar, and an education centre. An optional guide is
Ar10,000.
The park is run by
The Madagascar Fauna Group
( 53 308 42;
www.savethelemur.org
;Rtedel'Aéroport),located4kmnorthofTamatave. It'saworldwide
conservation association headquartered in St Louis, USA. In addition to hosting tourists,
there are captive breeding programmes for endangered species and a halfway house for an-
imals being reintroduced into the wild. The park also raises local awareness of wildlife and
conservation issues - around 70% of the estimated 14,000 annual visitors are Malagasy.
To reach the park from the city, take the RN5 north, go 9km past the airport, and turn left
on the unpaved road in front of the Ivoloina Bridge. Continue on until you see the park en-
trance sign (the trip takes half an hour). A charter taxi from town costs around Ar30,000;
taxis-brousses to Ivoloina village (Ar1500) leave every hour or two. From Ivoloina village
it's a scenic 4km walk to the park entrance.
Foulpointe (Mahavelona)
Foulpointe (fool-
pwant
) is a nondescript town with some nice white-sand beaches along
with a strip of decent accommodation and dining, certainly enough for a weekend. If you're
looking for a quick sun 'n' fun escape from Tamatave this is a worthy option.
SIGHTS
Fort Manda
FORTRESS
Ruins of this 19th-century Merina fort, built for Radama I, are about 500m north of
Foulpointe. Its walls, which are 8m high and 6m thick in places, are made from coral, sand
and eggs.
