The Great Wild South

The coastline of Tulear to Fort Dauphin, in the extreme south of the Big Island, will delight lovers of wide open spaces and "breathtaking" landscape.  Completely endemic vegetation of these regions provides a change of scenery and justifies some sporting and adventure activities.

Tulear and Ifaty

Languid town straddling the Tropic of Capricorn, Tuléar discovered easily with its large straight streets and boulevards: atmosphere "far west" around a few places frequented, such as restaurants. Rickshaws and markets provide color notes in the "White City" which has a huge beach and sand dunes known as the "battery".

A few miles to the north, discover the charms of Ifaty resort. Beautiful beaches in the immediate vicinity of authentic fishermen villages and lagoons reserve pleasant surprises as well under water (rich fauna composed of a wide variety of reef fish) on the waves animated permanently by traditional Vezo fishermen sailing canoes.

Inland also deserve to be discovered, if only to admire the landscapes consist of large baobabs. Going up north succession of fishing villages on the banks of lagoons in the foreground shrub vegetation with spectacular Euphorbia ...

At the end of Tulear, on the RN7, is the arboretum Antsokay with more than 700 plant species characteristic of the South.

Anakao and National Park Tsimanampesotse

Crossing the Bay Saint Augustine and steep cliffs that plunge into deep waters (refuge coelacanth, sea creature from another age) is the first step towards countries that seem to have been created for adventure. The charms of the sea view here, indeed, with those of a huge wild bush, are the most captivating.

The Anakao resort is one of the most beautiful in Big Island. Many comfortable hotels are scattered along a beach of white sand alternating with authentic fishermen villages that give the coastline all its charm. Clouds of colorful canoes invade the beach lies on the calm waters of the Mozambique Channel.

Off the island is this remarkable dive sites "Nosy Ve" enclosed in a coral reef. This island is also a nesting site for several species of birds phaeton red-tailed, white-tailed straw ...

"Nosy Satrana" stands, in turn, by its tamarind trees and their shadows thick, well appreciated for picnics.

40km from the shore, accessible by a good sandy track that let you discover the first aspects of large semi-desert bush, South Tsimanampesotse National Park is an oasis which revolves around a ten miles long lake with milky waters. They are home to year-round colonies of flamingos. Limestone escarpments, in which strange caves containing a rare blind fish and immaculate, typhletris offer a fantastic panoramic view. Wildlife and especially birds are extremely abundant. Baobabs, pachypodiums, alluaudias, banyan their roots in deep sinkholes are the most characteristic representatives of flora endemic to 90% of these lands.

Cap Sainte Marie

The southernmost tip of the Big Island reserve incredible discoveries. Heights of the plateau that dominates Mahafaly Karimbola over 200 kilometers south coast of Madagascar, one has a magnificent view of a vast ocean space which separates the waters of the Mozambique Channel and those of the Indian Ocean.

Special Reserve Cap Sainte Marie is home to many endemic species whose sympathetic radiated tortoise that contributes to the establishment of landscape plants and grazing in bringing nutrients to the soil sterile. Although an endangered species, they proliferate in these places covered with low vegetation and it is not uncommon to see elk breed in sound ... as shells collide in these intimate moments with great force !

Beaches consist of the remains of millions of Aepyornis eggs (which could reach one meter in circumference), these giant birds who could rub there are at least 500 years the first occupants of the Big Island. Strange to hear crunching under his feet shaped shells, for some, there are nearly 1000 years.

From caves, one observes the tidal waves, the wave movements that tries to tackle this rocky massif and from June to October, humpback whales passages.

Berenty forest and Ifotaka

The river banks Mandrare are occupied by forests and vast plantations. Agro-industry side, the alignments of thousands of hectares of sisal (Agave beautiful and large), only a few scattered baobabs is an original décor. Natural heritage is constituted by the forest where Ifotaka thrive alluaudias and euphorbias. Many birds and lemurs and impressive stone tombs topped their aloalo (totem carved) and trophies (horns zebu) that give a sacredness to the forest. Antandroy tribe villages show the particular ability of people to live in the harsh climes.

Berenty Private Reserve has the advantage to gather in a limited space some of the most beautiful attractions flora and fauna of South Madagascar. The sifaka ballet "dancers" alone deserves to stay on the edge of the forest. A beautiful museum Androy informs the customs of the local people.

Fort Dauphin and its surroundings

Few countries can harbor many different tourist attractions in such a small scope. Into day trips from Fort Dauphin, it is possible to find natural spots. The town itself peninsula surrounded by beaches and coves, is provided with an undeniable charm and many historic relics.

Andohahela National Park is one of the most endearing of Madagascar. The river Tarantsy, whose banks are populated by pachypodiums and baobabs, directs tours that appear through a real arboretum.

Immediate gates of Fort-Dauphin, Mandena reserve, Nahampoana, Saïadi garden are private reserves where you can only be amazed by the luxuriance of the vegetation...

The ascent of the Pic Saint Louis, which rises to 529m allows to discover a 360 ° panorama with Anosy mountain backdrop.

Through canals and lakes can be reached the Evatraha fishing village at the edge of the lagoon. View trips and wonderful coves and inlets.

The coastline of Tulear to Fort Dauphin, in the extreme south of the Big Island, will delight lovers of wide open spaces and "breathtaking" landscape.  Completely endemic vegetation of these regions provides a change of scenery and justifies some sporting and adventure activities.

Tulear and Ifaty

Languid town straddling the Tropic of Capricorn, Tuléar discovered easily with its large straight streets and boulevards: atmosphere "far west" around a few places frequented, such as restaurants. Rickshaws and markets provide color notes in the "White City" which has a huge beach and sand dunes known as the "battery".

A few miles to the north, discover the charms of Ifaty resort. Beautiful beaches in the immediate vicinity of authentic fishermen villages and lagoons reserve pleasant surprises as well under water (rich fauna composed of a wide variety of reef fish) on the waves animated permanently by traditional Vezo fishermen sailing canoes.

Inland also deserve to be discovered, if only to admire the landscapes consist of large baobabs. Going up north succession of fishing villages on the banks of lagoons in the foreground shrub vegetation with spectacular Euphorbia ...

At the end of Tulear, on the RN7, is the arboretum Antsokay with more than 700 plant species characteristic of the South.

Anakao and National Park Tsimanampesotse

Crossing the Bay Saint Augustine and steep cliffs that plunge into deep waters (refuge coelacanth, sea creature from another age) is the first step towards countries that seem to have been created for adventure. The charms of the sea view here, indeed, with those of a huge wild bush, are the most captivating.

The Anakao resort is one of the most beautiful in Big Island. Many comfortable hotels are scattered along a beach of white sand alternating with authentic fishermen villages that give the coastline all its charm. Clouds of colorful canoes invade the beach lies on the calm waters of the Mozambique Channel.

Off the island is this remarkable dive sites "Nosy Ve" enclosed in a coral reef. This island is also a nesting site for several species of birds phaeton red-tailed, white-tailed straw ...

"Nosy Satrana" stands, in turn, by its tamarind trees and their shadows thick, well appreciated for picnics.

40km from the shore, accessible by a good sandy track that let you discover the first aspects of large semi-desert bush, South Tsimanampesotse National Park is an oasis which revolves around a ten miles long lake with milky waters. They are home to year-round colonies of flamingos. Limestone escarpments, in which strange caves containing a rare blind fish and immaculate, typhletris offer a fantastic panoramic view. Wildlife and especially birds are extremely abundant. Baobabs, pachypodiums, alluaudias, banyan their roots in deep sinkholes are the most characteristic representatives of flora endemic to 90% of these lands.

Cap Sainte Marie

The southernmost tip of the Big Island reserve incredible discoveries. Heights of the plateau that dominates Mahafaly Karimbola over 200 kilometers south coast of Madagascar, one has a magnificent view of a vast ocean space which separates the waters of the Mozambique Channel and those of the Indian Ocean.

Special Reserve Cap Sainte Marie is home to many endemic species whose sympathetic radiated tortoise that contributes to the establishment of landscape plants and grazing in bringing nutrients to the soil sterile. Although an endangered species, they proliferate in these places covered with low vegetation and it is not uncommon to see elk breed in sound ... as shells collide in these intimate moments with great force !

Beaches consist of the remains of millions of Aepyornis eggs (which could reach one meter in circumference), these giant birds who could rub there are at least 500 years the first occupants of the Big Island. Strange to hear crunching under his feet shaped shells, for some, there are nearly 1000 years.

From caves, one observes the tidal waves, the wave movements that tries to tackle this rocky massif and from June to October, humpback whales passages.

Berenty forest and Ifotaka

The river banks Mandrare are occupied by forests and vast plantations. Agro-industry side, the alignments of thousands of hectares of sisal (Agave beautiful and large), only a few scattered baobabs is an original décor. Natural heritage is constituted by the forest where Ifotaka thrive alluaudias and euphorbias. Many birds and lemurs and impressive stone tombs topped their aloalo (totem carved) and trophies (horns zebu) that give a sacredness to the forest. Antandroy tribe villages show the particular ability of people to live in the harsh climes.

Berenty Private Reserve has the advantage to gather in a limited space some of the most beautiful attractions flora and fauna of South Madagascar. The sifaka ballet "dancers" alone deserves to stay on the edge of the forest. A beautiful museum Androy informs the customs of the local people.

Fort Dauphin and its surroundings

Few countries can harbor many different tourist attractions in such a small scope. Into day trips from Fort Dauphin, it is possible to find natural spots. The town itself peninsula surrounded by beaches and coves, is provided with an undeniable charm and many historic relics.

Andohahela National Park is one of the most endearing of Madagascar. The river Tarantsy, whose banks are populated by pachypodiums and baobabs, directs tours that appear through a real arboretum.

Immediate gates of Fort-Dauphin, Mandena reserve, Nahampoana, Saïadi garden are private reserves where you can only be amazed by the luxuriance of the vegetation...

The ascent of the Pic Saint Louis, which rises to 529m allows to discover a 360 ° panorama with Anosy mountain backdrop.

Through canals and lakes can be reached the Evatraha fishing village at the edge of the lagoon. View trips and wonderful coves and inlets.