>> THE WEST

The western part of Madagascar is dryer that the eastern part and consequently deciduous forest flourish here, harbouring a wealth of rare endemic wildlife.

Morondava
Morondava is a coastal town which was once the center of the Sakalava kingdom. In this small town they built tombs for their ancestors, decorating them with erotic sculptures (now sadly stolen). The most well known of all the deciduous plants are the Boababs, whose size and stange shapes have long been a source of myths and legends. Wide sunny beaches border the town.

Morondava is the the gateway to the one of Madagascar's hallmarks the Avenue of Baobabs and the decidous forest of Kirindy (also known as the Swiss Forest) because of the constructive logging operation run by a Swiss consortium. Kirindy is one of the best places to see the wildlife of western Madagascar and several species , such as the giant jumping rat are only found here. Kirindy is not accessible from mid-January to end- March because of the rainy season.

Tsingy de Bemaraha
Lies north of Morondava. Here towering calcarous cliffs and forests line the rivers. A large variety of succulents can be found on the cliffs, uniquely adapted to live in the cracks and crevices of the sharp spines formed by the eroded rock.

Mahajanga
One of Madagascars largest commercial ports, this town boasts deserted beaches and canyons with incredible rock formations and caverns. Just south of Mahajanga is the reserve of Ampijoroa which is one of Madagascars premier birding destinations and home to the rare and endemic Madagascar Fish Eagle.