Ifaty
The region close to the coast and the two fishing villages at Ifaty, in the south west of the country, has a fine coral reef in Madagascars biggest lagoon. Mangrove forests grow along the coast while inland there are areas of distinctive spiny-forest with many cactus-like euphorbias, growing in dry, sandy almost desert like conditions.
The tropical sea offers good snorkelling and diving on the coral reef and excellent whale watching safaris, especially between July and September, when humpback whales arrive to give birth in the protected bay.There are many different types of habitat to be found in this region, which makes it a paradise for bird-watchers. A small, locally managed reserve, has been created to protect the unique spiny forest, some fine baobab trees and a variety of rare reptiles, of which a local member of the boa snake family, and a large species of chameleon are well worth mentioning.
Read more about our tours to Madagascar here.
