The East of Madagascar
General description |
Climate |
The highlights
General
description
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Madagascar’s
East was
once a continuous lush green corridor of moist lowland forests
extending along
the eastern escarpment strip until an altitude of 800 m. Under this
immense
forested canopy a countless number of species had found an ideal
habitat. Unfortunately,
the fate of this natural balance reversed completely and these forests
are now
one of the most threatened
habitats in the world. A significant portion of the forest cover has
completely
disappeared due to rapid
clearance by the shifting
cultivation practiced by local people and other deforestation factors
like
uncontrolled logging. Lowlands of the southern and eastern parts have
been
dramatically affected by heavy deforestation, as any boat trip on the
Pangalanes channel would show. The coastal line at both sides
of the
channel is full of single-crop farming plantations: lychee, sunflower,
coffee,
cacao and of course vanilla are the main products.
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Canoe on the Pangalanes Canal
© Nicolas C
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Significant
remains of the old gigantic lowland rain forests are isolated in rather
inaccessible
landmarks as the Masoala Peninsula,
Northeast of
the country, which, with 6,000 mm rainfalls yearly, is also the most
humid
region of the country. Travellers would be better prevented to visit
this
remote region during the destructive cyclone season from November until
March.
After
so much wildlife, many visitors opt to head to the laid-back marine
ecosystem
of Sainte Marie (also called Nosy Boraha) and relax under the palm
trees of the
incredible beaches of this small paradise. During the austral winter,
Sainte
Marie is also a perfect place to watch the humpback whales.
Wherever
your destination is: musicians playing traditional instruments such as
the
zither-like "valiha", the "akordogna" (accordion) or the
rattle "kaiamba" will likely accompany you on your way. Music plays
an essential role in Malagasy life and the local tribes of the
Betsimisaraka
and Antandroy in the area of Tamatave are certainly no exception. If
you can,
try to witness a traditional tromba possession ceremony, where
communication
between the living and ancestral spirits is established by a medium.
Another
thrilling ritual is the “Sambatra”
circumcision festival, held between July and September.
Climate
The
eastern part of Madagascar
is the wettest region of the island. The tropical humid climate is
responsible
for the constant rainfalls. The amount of rains decreases while moving
southwards. The “dry” season lasts from August to
December, although a shower
usually falls almost every day, so do not forget your rain gear when
coming
here! During the rest of the year, the months where it rains the most
are
February and March. The cyclone season lasts from the end of December
till
March. Please avoid a visit during these months. The hottest months,
with an
average temperature of 30°C are March, April and December. The
rest of the
year, temperatures are cooler, between 20° to 28°C on
average. Only during
August and September the thermometer is below 20°C, and it can
get a little
colder during the nights.
The
highlights
-
Tamatave (Toamasina): the second
biggest city of Madagascar
is a pleasant place with beautiful colonial buildings, a huge beach and
a
relaxing atmosphere, ideal to start a trip along the Pangalanes
Canal.
- Pangalanes Canal: This 645 km long artificial
channel, recently discovered by tourists caught by its unspoilt
beaches, was
built by the French during colonial times and it represents since then
the only
mean of transport in the region.
- Sainte Marie: this coral island of 50 km
length
was during the 18th century a beloved hideaway
for buccaneers. The
charms of this paradisiacal patch of earth were obviously so
irresistible that
some of them even decided to spend here the rest of their lives, as the
pirates’ cemetery show. Paradise
on earth!
- Andasibe National
Park: this is one of the most
popular destinations for all travellers. Good
accessible all year around, this forest is the home of the Indri and
many other
lemurs and other animals.
- Masoala National
Park: These fantastic and isolated
moist forests are the most diverse of the
country and contain exceptionally high levels of endemism, as its great
diversity of birds show. It is therefore no wonder, that Masoala
national park
has become a Mecca
for any serious naturalist.
