Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
be1,000yearsold)aswell as
Didierea
and
Euphorbia
.There isaone-hourandatwo-hour
trail. Night walks are also possible.
There are bungalows (15,000Ar) and a campsite (10,000Ar/tent) with toilet and shower.
Food is available on order.
Parc Mosa
(
m
032 43 259 90/032 61 129 09; entry 10,000Ar
) This is another private re-
servewithexcellent birdingprospects.Sadly,several readershavecomplained ofunethical
practices andovercharginghere,andMosa'sstaffareknowntoambushtourists
enroute
to
Reniala Forest to persuade them to visit here instead.
Chez le Za
(
m
032 02 514 36; entry 7,000Ar for 1hr guided walk or 9,000Ar for 1½hrs
)
Near to Reniala Forest and Parc Mosa, this small reserve also offers guided tours of or-
nithological and botanical interest. You will learn about traditional medicinal plants in the
botanical garden area.
TortoiseVillage
(
9442567;
m
0320207275/0324030750;
e
creadedaniel@yahoo.fr
;
www.villagetortues.com
;
entry adults 5,000Ar, children 1,000Ar; daily 09.00-17.00
)
Tortoise Village was set up by a group of conservation organisations for the protection of
the two southwestern species: spider and radiated tortoises. Both are seriously threatened
byillegaltrade(forpetsabroad)andhunting(bylocalsforfood).Around1,200areresident
including some confiscated by customs.
Set in 7ha of spiny forest with small baobabs, with a further 7ha of fenced areas, the
guided tour will show you the tortoises and explain the efforts to conserve them. Allow an
hour for a visit; you may see other reptiles, birds and brown lemurs.
Horseriding
Contact
Ranch Solaris
(
94 903 14;
m
032 02 477 75;
e
ranch@atimoo.com
;
www.ranch-solaris.com
)
for a variety of activities, including
horseriding on the beach (1 hour; 41,000Ar), in the baobab forest (2½ hours; 82,000Ar),
half-day treks (135,000Ar) and lessons for beginners.
Marine Museum
This small information centre was created by ReefDoctor (see
Click
hibits such as shells educate visitors about the local and marine environments.
Mangrove Information Centre
(
e
honkomad@yahoo.com
;
www.honko.org
)
At Ambon-
drolava, midway between Toliara and Ifaty (look for the signpost with a waving crab), is
this new wetland centre created by Honko, a Belgian NGO. The organisation works to re-
store nearby mangroves and teach locals to use them sustainably. Trained guides lead vis-
itors along a 400m elevated boardwalk to experience the mangrove habitat and a hide en-
ables close viewing of birdlife.
