Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
this small regional museum is a decent filler. The entrance is opposite the fuel station near
the Sharon hotel. Calling itself a museum of ethnology, history and archaeology, there are
exhibits from around the island relating to traditional village life, religious beliefs, musical
instruments etc. Signboards include text in English.
La Place Bien-Aîmée
[281 D6] Kim Loohuis recommends this botanical garden near the
port, with its magnificent banyan trees: 'People play
pétanque
here. Very tranquil and a
good place to meet the real Malagasy.'
Mini-golf
[281 D5] (
Mon-Sat 08.00-21.00; games 1,000Ar
) 18-hole course at the end
of Rue de Commerce, down from the port entrance opposite Bonnet et Fils. 'Sounds corny
but is nicely laid out and kept up with bar and grillade restaurant' (Charlie Welch). Great if
you're looking for something completely different to do.
Horseriding
(
53 342 93;
f
53 324 25
) For those who have ever harboured romantic no-
tions of riding a horse down a tropical beach, here's your chance. The equestrian centre is
located offthemainairportroad,justbeforethestreet totheMiramar (comingfromtown).
The sandy road is marked by two signs ('Domaine des Haras: Masteva'). Contact in ad-
vance.
PARC IVOLOINA
(
53 931 68;
e
tim@savethelemur.org
;
www.seemadagascar.com
;
09.00-17.00; entry
10,000Ar,guide10,000Ar,nocturnalvisit5,000Ar,camping4,000Ar
)Thisbeganlifemore
than two decades ago as a rather grand botanical garden but is now a conservation centre
and zoo. It is funded by the Madagascar Fauna Group, a consortium of some 30 zoos from
aroundtheworldwithaspecialinterestinMadagascar.ItsupportsIvoloinaandthereserve
of Betampona. See their excellent website for more information (
www.savethelemur.org
)
.
A visit here is rewarding both for what you see and what the MFG is doing in terms of
educating the local population about conservation. First the lemurs: in total there are 13
species here, including a female aye-aye (phone in advance to arrange an after-hours visit
to see the nocturnal aye-aye active). Free-ranging lemurs include black-and-white ruffed
lemurs, white-fronted brown lemurs, red-bellied lemurs and crowned lemurs. These offer
greatphotoopportunities,aswellasthepleasureofseeing'zooanimals'livinginfreedom.
There are also reptiles (tortoises, chameleons and boas), tenrecs, vasa parrots and tomato
frogs which are unique to the Maroantsetra area.
