Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
less you are a fit, fast walker it would be best to take two days on this trek and camp by
Lac Grand. That way you can wait for weather conditions to allow the spectacular view.
EXCURSIONS SOUTH FROM ANTSIRANANA
RIGNY BAY
On the east coast, an hour from Antsiranana, this natural harbour is home
to an attractive new hotel.
Ile aux Baobabs
(
82 919 47;
m
032 40 487 87;
e
ileau-
xbaobabs@gmail.com
;
€€€€)offersupper-rangeaccommodationintheformofbungalows
along a private beach. Activities include hiking, quad biking and fishing.
The hotel is reached from Andrafiabe, 26km south of Antsiranana, via a 17km road to
the coast.
RED TSINGY
About an hour south of Antsiranana are these spectacular geological fea-
tures.Like thetrue
tsingy
ofAnkarana andBemaraha, theRedTsingyareerosionphenom-
ena, but are formed from laterite rather than limestone, giving them a striking orange-red
hue and a rather more rounded Daliesque appearance then their duller spiky cousins.
Three main patches of red
tsingy
are accessible on a 17km track that begins 46km south
of Antsiranana. An entry fee of 2,000Ar is charged per vehicle. You will need a 4x4 to get
there and it's not accessible at all during the wet season (roughly December-March).
ANALAMERA (ANALAMERANA) SPECIAL RESERVE
(
e
angapdie@gmail.com
)
This 34,700ha reserve is in remote and virtually unexplored deciduous forest southeast of
Montagne d'Ambre, and is the last refuge of the very rare Perrier's sifaka (
Propithecus
perrieri
).Youmayalsoseecrownedlemurs,Sanford'sbrownlemursandendangeredbirds
such as the white-breasted mesite and Van Dam's vanga. The park merits a couple of
nights' camping, but there are no facilities of any kind, so visitors must be totally self-suf-
ficient.
To reach the reserve from Antsiranana drive 60km south on the main road, and then a
further 25km on a dreadful stretch which is impassable in the rainy season. An alternative
route in starts 45km south of Antsiranana. Guides and porters can be organised in the
nearby village of Menagisy, but it is more sensible to arrange the visit through a tour oper-
ator in Antsiranana (essential if you need an English-speaking guide). Visit the park office
in Anivorano (PK 75) first to get permits.
LAKE ANTANAVO (LAC SACRÉ)
The turning is 75km south of Antsiranana at Ani-
vorano, where you must buy a permit (4,000Ar/person) before proceeding to the sacred
lake along a 4km track that is impassable in the rainy season. It attracts visitors more for
