Tsaratanana Integral Reserve
 |
Tsaratanana Integral Reserve lies about 60km
north of the village of Bealanana
and 80
south-east of Ambanja. It covers a surface of 486 km² of
intact tropical forest
surrounding the impressive Tsaratanana massif with its deep slopes and
sharp crests.
This spectacular mountainous region has been protected since the times
of the
French administration, and became a Reserve in 1966. The highest mountain
of Madagascar,
the Maromokotra (2.876m)
lies within the reserve. It is possible to organise a trekking with
porters to
explore this impressive volcanic granite massif. It takes a week or
even more to
reach the peak. So far tourists are not allowed within the Reserve,
which is
only open to scientists. |
Tsaratanana
has an important biological role
due to its location since Northern tropical forests coexist with a high
mountain ecosystem. This confers the Reserve a great biodiversity with
a high
rate of endemism and threatened species.
The
reserve is a very important source of water
for the whole area, since numerous rivers spring inside the Reserve,
like the
Bemarivo, the Sambirano, the Ramena or the Mahavavy River.
A couple of beautiful waterfalls and thermal baths are found here as
well.
There are 20 mammal species among them 11
lemurs, including the endangered black lemur, Eastern fork-marked lemur
and
aye-aye. Among the 95 bird species we find Madagascar
serpent-eagle, Madagascar
red owl, yellow-bellied sunbird and helmet asity, crested ibis,
red-fronted
coua or pita-like ground-roller. Reptiles and amphibians are also wide
spread.
There are
different types of forest depending on the altitude, but almost all
of them are primary and virgin. The zone up to 2,000 m is covered by a
dense
humid forest with abundant palm trees, lianas and precious woods like
palisander and ebony. Between 2,000 and 2,500 m we find bamboo and
montane
forest, and from this altitude bushes and grassy savanna. |
White browed owl
©
Gail Johnso |
There are three entrances to
the Reserve. The North
entry is the shortest one and is reached with the bad road starting in
Ambanja
until the town of Ambobaka.
The South-West entrance goes from Ambanja to Marotolona and from here a
secondary path until Beangona Ambevy.
The
South entrance is the hardest
one: in Antsohihy take the road to Bealanana and once here continue
northwards
along a terrible road until Mangindrano, and from here another 40 km to
reach Maromokotra, where the
entrance is.
These roads are only
practicable during the dry
season between June and November.
Since
visitors are not allowed yet, there are no infrastructures available.
You
can get
more information about Tsaratanana Massif and reserve in Antsiranana or
in
Ambanja.
Direction de Madagascar National Parks
à Antsiranana
Route de l’Aéroport BP 475, 201 Antsiranana
Phone : (261 20) 82 213 20
Email : angapdie@yahoo.fr
angapdie@gmail.com
Réserves de
Tsaratanana – Manongarivo
BP 164 – 203 Ambanja
Phone: (261) 32 02 83 530
