Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
FortDauphinregion.Hisfamousdescriptionof'nature'ssanctuary'wasina1771let-
ter, written from Madagascar, to his old tutor in Paris.
Closetothenationalparkentranceyou'llfindMitsinjo'sofficeandvisitorcentre.Thisis
the entrance to their 700ha of Analamazaotra Forest. There are seven groups of indri here,
but only two groups are habituated. I was thrilled by my visit here, not only for what I saw
(my first ever mossy leaf-tailed gecko,
Uroplatus sikorae
) but the enthusiasm of the guide
and the work the association is doing. Chris Howles agrees: 'We look back at the 4½-hour
trekwedidasoneofthehighlightsoftheholiday.OurguidespokegoodEnglishandhada
verygoodknowledgeofallthelocalfloraandfauna.Heworkedhardtofindeverythingfor
us, including of course a family of indri. They came really close to us and we stayed with
them for about 45 minutes, stopping when our necks started to ache from all that looking
up in the trees!'
This is a rewarding place for night walks, especially since these are not permitted in
the national park. Derek Schuurman reports: 'The recently described (2005) Goodman's
mouse lemur is readily seen. Your chances of seeing reptiles such as Parson's chameleons
and
Uroplatus
geckos are better here and you are bound to see a lot of frogs and other noc-
turnal creatures.'
Mitsinjo has a vehicle which may be hired (with driver) for transfers to Mantadia
(65,000Ar), Vakôna (15,000Ar) or Moramanga (25,000Ar).
ORCHID GARDEN
(
07.30-12.00 & 13.30-17.00
) Near to the road, between the park
offices and Andasibe village, this small lake is a particularly attractive spot in October and
November. Being a joint project between the national park and Mitsinjo, visitors who have
purchased a permit from either may visit it.
MAD'ARBRES
(
22 417 54;
m
033 12 343 17;
e
madarbres@yahoo.fr
; prices
50,000Ar/half-day, 80,000Ar/day
) This association of Malagasy and French climbers of-
fering canopy tours is specialised in teaching novices the ropes - literally - and, just as
importantly, ensuring you experience the canopy up close without causing it any damage.
Open from April to November, they operate from the same office as Mitsinjo. Only small
groups are taken at a time so book in advance if possible.
OTHER PROTECTED AREAS NEARBY
TOROTOROFOTSYRESERVE
Thismarsh11kmwestofAndasibe-animportantpart
of any birding trip - was declared a Ramsar Site in 2005.
