Kasijy Special Reserve
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The Kasijy Special Reserve was established in 1956 and protects a territory of 200 km². It is located in the north-western part of the island, about 100 km south of Mahajanga. The park includes a wide variety of ecosystems. The largest part is covered by open savannas, followed by subtropical and dry deciduous forest. There are sand dunes, rice paddies, lakes, marshes and riparian forests as well, providing the reserve with a remarkable biodiversity. The road leading to the reserve is in a very bad condition, and even during the dry season you need a jeep to get there. |
16 species
of mammals are permanent residents of the Reserve. Among them visitors
can spot
7 lemur species, like Decken´s and crowned sifakas or
fork-crowned lemur.
67 bird species
(73% endemic), some of them very rare, have been reported from Kasijy
such as
the crested ibis, the
6 amphibian
and 22 reptile species including the extremely threatened Madagascar
big-headed
turtle as well as flat-tailed geckos, lizards, chameleons, 8 snake
species and
river crocodiles.
Flat-tailed gecko © Muzzanese
The rural
communities living next to Kasijy are mainly composed by Sakavala and
Tsimihety
people. They are dependant on the forest resources, which represents a
threat
to the biodiversity of the Reserve. The zebu herds need more and more
savannah
to feed, so the thick forests are little by little disappearing.
The temperatures are high during the whole year, with an average of 38°! The long and hard dry season lasts from April to November and almost all water resources dry completely. From December to April rains are usually torrential so the Reserve is closed to visitors.
The “road” to the Reserve is terrible even during
the dry season and a 4x4 jeep
in good condition is a must to reach Kasijy.
Crested
ibis is one of the rarest birds of Madagascar © Muzzanese
If you are coming from the South
drive through Kandreho and Bemonto. Maybe you have to walk the last km
depending on the road condition.
The access
to the northern part of the Kasijy is slightly better. The poor road
goes
through Antondraka until the border of the reserve.
There is either no Park Office or any other infrastructure for the few visitors who visit Kasijy.
We advice you to get in contact with the central Office in Tana if you are willing to visit Kasijy.
Madagascar National Parks
Immeuble Madagascar National Parks
Ambatobe - BP 1424 101
Phone: + (261 20) 22 415 38 / + (261 20) 22 418 83
Email: contact@madagascar.national.parks.mg