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Bora Special Reserve

Map Bora Bora Special Reserve is located on the northwest part of the island (35km from Antsohihy) not far from the Mozambique Channel. It was established in 1956 and covers a surface of almost 50km² of dry deciduous forest, with some patches of degraded secondary forest, gallery forest and savannah. It is almost flat, just some small hills and volcanic rocks stand out in the landscape. Although the forests are quite deteriorated in some areas due to the proximity of numerous villages and the R31 road, they still give shelter to a good number of species. The predominant group is the Tsimihety, whose life rhythm is determined by their rice paddies (some of them are even inside the Reserve).

Bora represents a transition ecosystem between the western dry forests and the eastern humid ones. This is palpable in the fauna and flora found within the Reserve, belonging to both differentiated areas.

There are 6 lemur species (2 diurnal and 4 nocturnal), 6 rodents, 48 birds (20 of them are endemic), 5 amphibians, 15 reptiles, including crocodiles, tortoises and chameleons, and a great variety of arthropods (160 families). chameleon
  © Madagascar Travel Guide

Almost 300 plant species have been identified inside Bora, more than the half are endemic to Madagascar. However, new plant species with a higher economic value are being planted in some sections of the Reserve, which accelerates the destruction of the original forest and its inhabitants.

Apart from the rice paddies and the recent new plantations, another problems threat the survival of Bora: the illegal tree falling, the “tavy” (bush fire to obtain new grassy land for the zebu herds) and last but not least the hunting of some reptiles and mammals to eat the meat. If the situation continues like that, Bora will probably lose its biodiversity in a couple of decades.

deforestation in Madagascar
Massive deforestaion is not only a big problem in Bora
but in the whole Madagascar. © Madagascar Travel Guide
There are two opposite seasons in this zone. The rainy season is warm and humid, and lasts from November to April. From May until October the dry and cool season makes the rivers get dry.

The access to the reserve is by a poor road from the villages of Antsohiny, Bealanana or Befandriana.

There are no accommodations inside the park but camping is permitted. You must bring your own tent and supplies since there are no facilities at all. Another option is to overnight at any of the basic hotels in the nearby villages.

So far there is no Park Office, so contact the main ANGAP Office in Tana for further information.

Madagascar National Parks
Ambatobe - BP 1424  101 Antananarivo
Phone: + (261 20)22 415 38
Email: contact@madagascar.national.parks.mg