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Where to go, what to do while in Madagascar.

MASOALA NATIONAL PARK

Masoala National Park, in northeast Madagascar, is the largest of the island’s protected areas. Masoala is a Malagasy word translated to ‘the eye of the forest’; named by first inhabitants of the Park, believed to have been living in the area since the 15th century.

Established in 1997, The Masoala is extremely diverse when it comes to plants and forests and it is the only place in the country where forests literally grow into the ocean. Jutting out into the Indian Ocean in a mosaic of thick rainforests that cascade down to the crashing rollers of the sea from the cliffs of the Sava Region.

The Park, which is a UNESCO heritage since 2007, is separated into three parts that is the Ambodilafa, which is the southern part of the Park, the Tampolo in the west and the Ifaho in the Eastern part of the Park. All these parts are known as marine grounds and they offer the best views around the park.

WHAT TO DO/SEE

  1. Birding in the Masoala

Masoala National Park had over 102 bird species and almost 60% of these are all endemic which enables all bird lovers to have fun while in the area. The different bird species that can be viewed include the pitta ground roller, the red breasted Coua, the Madagascar serpent eagle, the brown Mesite, the grey crowned greenbul, the Henst’s goshwawk, the Madagascar crested Ibis and many more others.

  1. Lemur trekking

The Masoala National Park has ten different species of lemur and all these can be tracked down easily with the help of a tour guide.

  1. Flora

The park is known to have various plant species that you cannot find anywhere else. Masoala has over 600 different plant species and most of these are used by the locals for medicinal purposes.

  1. Wildlife viewing

There are various wildlife that can be viewed in the area and these include the various types of chameleons, the snakes, and amphibians. Madagascar is known for not having no predators as compared to other African countries but there are two that are found on the Island and one of them is the rare Mongoose.