Maningoza Special Reserve
 |
Maningoza Special Reserve, established in 1956, lies in northwest of Madagascar in the Antsingy region and comprises an area of 80 km². The reserve shelters one of the last remaining areas of dry tropical forest of Madagascar. Subtropical dense forests, bamboos, degraded patches and open savannas complete the ecosystems found in Maningoza. It boasts a remarkable number of rare and endemic flora and fauna species. Vegetation is typical of dry deciduous forests, with a canopy of 15 – 25 m altitude. The Sakavala, together with the Antandroy, the Betsimisaraka and the Tanala are the main groups populating this area. They are zebu holders and farmers which grow rice, maize and cassava and. The numerous villages next to the Reserve are the principal threat to its biodiversity, since they are still dependant on the forest resources. |
| Maningoza is very
rich in terms of fauna. There are 73 bird species
(75% are endemic), such as the giant coua, Madagascar blue pigeon oand
Schlegel’s asity. 15 mammal species are permanent residents, among them 5 lemurs (red fronted lemur, Decken´s sifaka, Lesser bamboo lemur, gray mouse lemur and fat-tailed dwarf lemur), fossa, eastern falanouc, mongooses and several tenrecs. |
Giant
coua © J_fi
|
Amphibians (4 frog
species) and
reptiles (27 species) are easier to spot. Visitors can observe
crocodiles, river turtles, snakes, chameleons and lizards.
The climate is warm (25° of average temperature) and has two differentiated season. The long dry season lasts from with May to November and dries almost every water source around. Maningoza is only accessible during this dry period. From December to April the monsoon coming from the north brings torrential rains and often floods.
Maningoza can be reached
by road from Tana via Tsiroanomandidy and from
here through a pretty bad road until a village called Besalampy.
From Morondava the road is even worse and only passable during the dry
months. You need a 4x4 to follow the track northwards next to the
coast. This transfer is a real adventure itself.
There is currently no accommodation inside the reserve, so the few visitors coming here decide to stay at Besalampy, where there are some basic hotels and restaurants. Camping is allowed (bring your own equipment and supplies).
We advice you to contact the central Offices in Tana if you are willing to visit this unexplored region.
Madagascar National Parks
Immeuble Madagascar National Parks
Ambatobe - BP 1424, 101 Antananarivo
Phone : + (261 20) 22 415 38 / + (261 20) 22 418 83
Email : contact@madagascar.national.parks.mg