Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ated barely 3km south of Itampolo and is just 50m east of the road. It is locally known as
Vintana and measures around 35m in diameter and is 5m to the water surface at its lowest
point.'
Where to stay
Gite d'Etape Sud Sud
(4 bungalows & 3 rooms) 94 415 27;
f
94 423 79;
e
c.alain@moov.mg
.
Under same ownership as Chez Alain in Toliara. Simple, comfortable
bungalows & rooms above restaurant (good food). Camping permitted (8,000Ar). €€€
Chez Nany
(1 bungalow) Located 1.5km northwest of the village behind the dunes,
75m from the sea. No electricity; outdoor latrine & bucket shower; a well provides fresh
water. Camping permitted. €
BEZA-MAHAFALY SPECIAL RESERVE
Thisreservewasestablishedattherequestoflocalpeoplewhovolunteeredtogiveupusing
partoftheforest,inreturnforhelpwithavarietyofsocialandagricultural projectssuchas
schools and irrigation channels.
Thereserveprotectstwodistincttypesofforest:spinyforestandgallery(riverine)forest,
with habituated ring-tailed lemurs and sifakas much in evidence. In Beza-Mahafaly, re-
searchers and the local Malagasy come first but visitors with a serious interest in natural
history will find this a hugely rewarding place. In addition to lemurs, the forest has four
species of tenrec including the rare large-eared one,
Geogale aurita
, three species of carni-
vores including the fossa, and lots of reptiles. Over 100 species of birds have been recor-
ded.
Dana Whitelaw, who spent a year there studying ring-tailed lemurs, can hardly contain
her enthusiasm: 'Come here to enjoy the lemurs trooping into camp in the morning, and
the well-cut trails in the reserve just across the road from your tent. Walk to the canyon,
the sacred forest and visit a village. Hire the local cook and have someone (very inexpens-
ively) clean your travel-worn clothes. Request a chicken, local tomatoes and some fruit to
be brought from the local villages. These simple acts help ensure the economic viability of
the reserve and keep money in the local people's pockets proving the value of this special
reserve.'
GETTING THERE
Well, there had to be a downside! Beza-Mahafaly is 35km north of
Betioky along a terrible - but very scenic - road. To get there you need a 4x4, motorbike,
bicycle (maybe) or zebu cart. Dana reports that she met two groups of tourists who hired
