|
The main attraction of the park is the
extremely rare and endangered ploughshare tortoise (locally known as angonoka), which is endemic to the park.
Nowadays there are just 2000 individuals living in the wild.
Furthermore there
are 13 mammal species, among
them 8 of lemur, such as the Decken’s sifaka and the western
bamboo lemurs, which
share their habitat with 120 bird species and more than 35 reptiles,
such as
chameleons and terrestrial tortoises.
Green, hawksbill,
Madagascar
big-headed and
loggerhead turtles lay their eggs on the beaches, whilst dolphins and
dugongs
swim in the swallow bay waters. More than 50 water bird species have
been
observed in the park, being five of them extremely endangered. The rare
fish
eagle, several heron species, sacred ibises, plovers and pink and
greater
flamingos are common sights in the park.
|
The Madagascar fish eagle is the
largest
bird of prey of the island
© Muzzanese |
The
climate is warm all the year with temperatures between 23° and
28°. From
April to November it does not rain at all, and despite the proximity of
the
sea, the air is quite dry.f Baly is 150
km from Mahajanga, in the heart of the
Commune of Soalala and Ambohipaky. The Park covers 57,142 ha. Its major
rivers
are the Kapiloza, bordering the Park in the south, and the Andranomavo
that
flows in the Mozambique Channel in the Bay of Baly.
There are currently two
circuits in Baly Bay. The
fee is 120,000 Ar per person
and day, since you must cross the bay by motor boat to find the rare
wildlife.
The Angonoky circuit
(3
hours) allows you to discover the star of the Park, the very threatened
ploughshare tortoise as well as some lemurs.
The Ankoay circuit
(local
name of
the fish eagle)is
focused on the rich birdlife found here. It usually
takes two days, so you have to camp one night.Pork meat is forbidden in Baly and
the peanuts are taboo, during
the boat crossing. It is recommended to carry away material of camping
and
cream against the mosquitos. The nearest banks are in Mahajanga. The
nearest
health center, in Soalala that is covered by the telephone network of
Telma.
·0
To
join the Bay of Baly, you have the choice between one journey on a
practicable
secondary road of hand in November, the buses, the boat or the plane.
Indications
By Road:
Take the National Road N°19. Cross the Bay of Bombetoka to join
Katsepy. From
Katsepy, join the Commune of Soalala that is 150 km. This journey takes
8
hours. This secondary road is only practicable from May till November.
By Taxi- Brousse:
Join Katsepy by Taxi-Brousse. The service is done every day, but the
departure
depends on the filling of the bus.
By Boat:
The departure is in Mahajanga. The crossing takes 6 to 12 hours
according to
the boat. The boat is rented, depending on availability. Be careful
peanuts are
taboo on board!
By Plane:
The Air Madagascar Company provides a non-scheduled flight to the
airport of
Soalala. The transfer toward the Park is done by car, but it is
necessary to
negotiate with the owners of the vehicles in Soalala that is 5 km from
the
airThe
fastest way to reach
the park is by plane. Air Madagascar
has a flight connection from and to Soalala, which lies just a few km
from the National Park.
Baly Bay is accessible by road during
the
dry season. Nevertheless it can be a rough jouney as you must cross the
Bay
of Bombetoka
to reach Katsepy. From here the transfer until Soalala takes from 6 to
9 hours
depending on the road condition (there is a daily taxi-brousse
connection between Katsepy and Soalala).
Another
option is to rent a boat at Mahajanga which leads you directly to the
Park.
This nice trip can take 6 to 14 hours depending on the boat you have
chosen.
 |
| Mangroves
during the low tide © Madagascar Travel
Guide |
It
is
possible to camp inside the park, although there is not a real campsite
and
there are no facilities at all. Most people prefer to stay at Soalala,
which is
not far from the park entrance.
We
advice you to contact the Park Office in advance at Mahajanga for a
better
planning of your visit. Here you can arrange the transport and get the
necessary equipment if you do not have any.
14
Rue
Philibert Tsiranana, Mahajanga
Phone : + (261 20) 62 226 56 / + (261 32) 52 349 00
Email : angapmjg@yahoo.fr
mjg.parks@gmail.com
There is also a smaller Office in Soalala itself.
Parc
National Baie de Baly / Namoroka :
Appartement EZIDINY – Soalala 420
Tél.: 033 11 968 89
Email: bbnrk.parks@gmail.com
