Tampoketsa- Analamaitso Special Reserve
 |
Tampoketsa-Analamaitso Special Reserve is
situated
in the province
of Mahajanga,
in the
northern part of the island. It was created in 1958 and protects an
area of 180
km² of transition forest. This Reserve is located just at the
border between
the humid rainforest of the east and the dry deciduous forest of the
western
part of Madagascar.
Apart from these two types of forest, which are partly severely
degraded, the
reserve includes mid-altitude tropical forests, open savannas and
marshlands
along the rivers. Almost the 85% of the plants and trees species are
endemic. |
The
main threat to the conservation
of the Reserve is as usual human pressure. The local Tsimihety,
Betsileo and Merina
populations are even poorer than in other regions and therefore totally
dependant on the natural resources. Their survival is based on the zebu
herds,
the rice paddies and other vegetables.
There
are 6 mammal species including 3 lemurs:
brown mouse lemur, common brown lemur and greater dwarf lemur. We also
find 50
bird species, the half of them endemic like the sacred ibis o the
velvet asity;
24 reptiles (23 endemic) including local endemic Brookesia chameleons
and day
geckos and numerous spiders which only occur here.
|
Brown
lemurs are the most common of the 3 resident lemur species
© Madagascar
Travel Guide |
The climate is tropical with two clear seasons.
During the hot and humid rainy season between November and March it
rains a lot
and the whole region is frequently isolated. The dry season is cool and
lasts
from April to October.
The
access
to the reserve is really hard due to the terrible road conditions even
during
the dry months, and impossible during the rainy season.
Because
of
this geographical isolation and the very few visitors who dare to visit
Tampoketsa-Analamaitso Reserve, there are no touristic infrastructures
at all
and not even a local Office at present.
There
are a
few very simple accommodations at Andadoany and 2 camping places not
far from
the reserve.
The
nearest
village and gate to the reserve is called Sahalentina.
If
you are adventurous enough to plan a visit to this remote
area of Madagascar,
you
should inform you at the central ANGAP Office in Antananarivo:
Madagascar
National Parks
Ambatobe - BP 1424, 101 Antananarivo
Phone: + (261 20) 22 415 38
Email : contact@madagascar.national.parks.mg
