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Bobangira: The name of the protected area is derived from the Malagasy words boba for many and angira for certain trees or a forest. Bobangira therefore simply means ‘many trees’. Please note: The protected area should not be confused with a reserve of the same name near Antalaha a little further south, which is also called ‘Macolline Forest’ – this …

Location: The Nahampoana reserve is located around seven kilometres north of Tolagnaro (French: Fort Dauphin) in the deep south-east of Madagascar. It can be reached from there via the RN12 in half an hour on an dusty track in an off-road vehicle. Tolagnaro can be reached by car from the capital Antananarivo within three days by car, but the journey …

One of Madagascar’s most interesting birds from an ornithological point of view is also one of the smallest feathered creatures on the island: the Schlegel’s Asity (Philepitta schlegeli). These birds grow to just 12 to 14 cm in size, smaller than an average pepper. The Madagascan name for these small birds is Asity, too – sounds English? That’s no coincidence! …

Berenty: The name of the reserve means ‘many eels’, alluding to the once abundant fishing grounds of the Mandrare River. Berenty is one of the most visited protected areas in Madagascar. Location: The Berenty reserve is located 82 kilometres west of the coastal town of Tolagnaro (French: Fort Dauphin) in the far south of Madagascar. From Tolagnaro, Berenty can be …

Madagascar’s coasts are home to a secret that few travellers know about. Not only is the island itself a treasure trove of biodiversity, but the sea around it is home to particularly rare mammals: dugongs (Dugong dugon). They depend on seaweed for their entire lives In Madagascar, they are called lamboara or trozogno. The term “sea cows” goes back to …

Early in the morning, a deep, rather slowly repeated ‘bwup’ call can be heard in the rainforest. It is the call of the The pitta-like ground roller (Atelornis pittoides), a small bird that, like so many animals in Madagascar, is very special. Pitta-like ground rollers are endemic to Madagascar Pitta-like ground rollers are only found in Madagascar. They live in …