The West - Madagascar - page 630

If you're keen to see crocodiles they may be sighted year round, but the best months are
July to October.
CIRCUITS There is a very good trail system. The shortest and easiest is Circuit
Coquereli (1½ hours), on which you may see sifakas and brown lemurs. More botany-fo-
cussed is Circuit Retendrika (2-3 hours), which is also good for birding. A visit to the
park's famous pachypodiums will take about two hours. A similar length of time is re-
quired to go and see the tall Adansonia madagascariensis baobabs, but if you're pressed
for time you can drive part of the way. On Circuit Source de Vie (3-4 hours) you will
gain an insight into local culture and everyday rural life. CircuitAnkarokaroka (3 hours)
offers a hike through forest and savanna to the canyon, an amazing multicoloured erosion
feature. There's plenty of wildlife to see en route , or you can go to the canyon by vehicle
(25,000Ar per person in the park 4x4). Night walks (1½ hours) will give you the chance
to see mouse lemurs and chameleons. Boattrips (1-2 hours) are the best way to see Lake
Ravelobe - particularly rewarding for birders and a good chance of sighting crocs. The
cost including guide is 50,000Ar for two people, then 15,000Ar for each additional person.