Photo Essay: National parks of Madagascar

The entire state of Madagascar, with its vast unpopulated territories and its enormous variety of botanic and animal species, is by itself a sort of huge national park.

There are however specific parks and natural conservation areas where the encounter with Madagascar's unique biological richness is guaranteed to leave the nature-loving visitor breathless.

To begin with, the wildlife reserves at Nahampoana or Berenty are the best places to make your first encounter with the Lemurs. These funny animals are the symbol of Malgasy wildlife, and in no other place in the world one can find as many species as are here. The result of a unique evolutionary path, this small primate has found its perfect habitat in the Madagascar forests, where carnivore predators are almost absent (except for the equally bizarre Cryptoprocta Ferox, or "fossa") , and where the competition from other arboreal species is not as fierce as in other places.
(Pictures : Catta Lemur and Sifaka Lemur)

It can be great fun taking pictures at the many different types of lemurs you will find in the reserves, but watch out !! The poorly-educated animals have the bad habit of releasing their "droppings" right at the very moment you will find yourself walking beneath the tree.

Another typical landmark of Madagascar nature is the baobab tree, which is actually one of the national symbols of the country, together with the Ravenala palm tree and the Zebu cow.
(Picture : Zebu Cowherd and Baobabs)

Most of the baobab species in the world are actually concentrated in Madagascar.
Head out for the "Sacred Baobab" or for the "Loving Baobabs" and don't miss the spectacular Baobab Alley, if you plan to become an enthusiast of this awkward yet mighty plant.

Bizarre landscapes and curious sights are something that Madagascar surely doesn't come short of. When traveling across Madagascar you can roam from tropical palm-laden beaches to dry rocky hills through bushes and forests, but one of the most impressive areas I have been to is the Natural Reserve of Tsingy de Bemaraha

This place is like a forest made of sharp limestone blades, with occasional golden-colored succulent plants growing (who kows how) on the bare rock. Tourists can visit the area with a local guide, but you will be asked to wear some climbing harness for safety reasons (guess by yourself why by looking at the picture !)
(Pictures : Hiking in the Tzingy, Thorny tree on the rock)

The place is hard to reach, there's a lot of mud and sand and potholes along the road, and there are no bridges to cross the Manambolo river near Bekopaka, so we had to take our cars on the other side on an improvised ferry. The accommodation in Bekopaka is also on the rough side, but the uniqueness of the place is well worth the discomfort.
(Pictures : Ferry across the Manambolo, Hard road with baobab trees)

Since you are there, and it took so long to reach, take your time and make a relaxing canoe tour in the Manmbolo gorge and see the ancient Vazimba tombs
(PIcture : Canoeing on the Manambolo River)

Another popular destination for travelers in Madagascar is the Ishalo National Park.
With its impressive canyons and sandstone formations, the place recalls images of Arizona or Colorado, more than the typical African landscape.
(Picture : Ishalo National Park)

No exception to the rule, here too you can find one of the peculiar Malgasy natural oddities : the Pachypodium, or Elephant's foot plant.
(Picture : Pachipodium plant)

But of course this is not the only reason for coming to the park; if you arrange for a two-day trek in the park and stay overnight in one of the well-maintained campsites, you will be able to enjoy the beauty of the place, do some hiking, swim in the natural pools and - naturally - have your share of lemurs, zebus, chameleons, aloe plants and all the rest.

At the end of a hard journey, some rest by the sea in the Lokaro peninsula.
This area is not a natural reserve in the strict sense, as there are villages and inhabitants, however it seems that mother nature gave her best when this place was made.
(Pictures : The Evatra Village, Aloe plants in the Lokaro peninsula)

Although no human hand ever touched this place, it indeed looks like a well laid-out garden designed by some famous architect, with green grass coming first near the shore, then the palm trees with the blossoming aloe plants, and finally the taller trees where you can rest in the shade.