Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
If you don't get time to take the trail to Plage des Hollandais to see the fascinating 17th-
century Dutch inscriptions carved on the rocks, then ask your boatman to stop by there
when you leave. There is also a recent shipwreck.
Practicalities
There is no accommodation on the island - you must camp in the thatched
shelters which cost 5,000Ar per night with your own tent. The trails are well-made and
vary from easy to moderately difficult. In rain - and it rains often - the paths are slippery
and it can be pretty unpleasant. Permits are purchased at the park office on the island; for
prices see
Click Here
.
THE BREAST-LEAPER
The breast-leaper is a small animal which attaches itself to the bark of trees and be-
ing of a greenish hue is not easily perceived; there it remains with its throat open to
receive the flies, spiders and other insects that approach it, which it devours. This an-
imal is described as having attached to the back, tail, legs, neck and the extremity of
the chin, little paws or hooks like those at the end of a bat's wing with which it ad-
heres to whatever it attaches itself in such a manner as if it were really glued. If a nat-
ive happens to approach the tree where it hangs, it instantly leaps upon his naked
breast, and sticks so firmly that in order to remove it, they are obliged, with a razor,
to cut away the skin also.
Samuel Copland
, History of the Island of Madagascar,
1822
ExperiencedEnglish-speakingguidescost35,000Ar/dayplus10,000Arforanightwalk.
Particularly recommended are Ursula, Seraphine, Armand, Felix (bird specialist) and Paul
(forplants).Therearelessqualifiedguidesforabouthalfthispricebuttheydon'tnormally
speak English.
Boats can be arranged through hotels and tour operators in Maroantsetra. The crossing
takes about 30 minutes and costs 35,000-100,000Ar return per person depending on the
size of the group.
MASOALA PENINSULA
Masoala (pronounced 'mash
wahl
') is one of the largest and
most diverse areas of virgin rainforest in Madagascar, and probably harbours the greatest
number of unclassified species. The peninsula's importance was recognised by the French
back in 1927 when they created a small reserve there, but independent Madagascar was
swift to remove the protection in 1964. However, 230,000ha has now been set aside as a
national park.
