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Explore the
impressive national parks and nature reserves. In Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict
Nature Reserve, undisturbed forests, lakes and mangrove swamps are home to a
variety of rare and endangered birds and lemurs. Rocky landscapes and limestone
uplands are cut into large peaks with a mass of limestone needles.
Don't miss Ampefy, a volcanic region with spectacular waterfalls and
geysers or Perinet, a nature reserve that is home of the indri
(a tail-less lemur) and many species of orchid.
Find more orchids and lemurs at Montagne d'Arbre (1,500m/4,900ft), a
national park famous for them. More wildlife awaits in the Ivolina Zoological
Park and Botanical Gardens, which contains every kind of vegetable species from
the eastern forests.
Go diving at the main centres of Nossi Bι, Nossi Lava, Toliara and Ile
Ste-Marie. Many offer beautiful white sand beaches and coral reefs.
Scuba-diving centres are located on the north and west coasts.
Try waterskiing or sailing at Ambohibao (Lake Mantasoa), Antsiralse (on
Andraikiba Lake) and Ramona. River-rafting can be done in the Highlands and on
the East Coast.
Explore Nossi Bι and its neighbouring islands of Nossi Mitsio, Nossi
Radama and Tanikely. Exotic perfume plants such as ylang-ylang, vanilla,
lemongrass and patchouli are grown here.
Relax on some of the excellent beaches. Antseranana is a cosmopolitan
seaport overlooking a beautiful gulf at the northernmost tip of the island with
many lakes, waterfalls and grottoes. There are more fine grottoes at Anjohibe.
Dabble in the macabre and visit the fascinating Amabalavao, said to be the
home of the departed', where antemore paper and lamba
aridrano silk are made. Whilst there, see the Ambondrome and Ifandana
crags (the site of a mass suicide in 1811), where the revered bones of exhumed
ancestors lie.
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