THE LOKOBE RESERVE

For a visit without guide, it is advisable to leave by taxi by the road the East and to cross the scented plantations of ylang-ylang until Ambatozavavy, a fishing village. The discovery of the various shapes of vegetation of mangrove swamps is already in oneself worthy of interest. Then, one embarks with the help of a moderate financial participation with fishermen in beam canoes to go along the coast towards the south (about Ar20,000 the whole canoe, for three people approximately). One rows during one hour on a warm water, with two cables of a lush vegetation. The canoes accost in Ampasipohy, another fishing village whose female population produces for the industry of tourism of large white embroidered cotton tablecloths, that one sees drying with the vent in front of the bleu of the sea. A two hours walk in the reserve of Lokobe makes it possible to cross a very beautiful tropical forest between vanilla plants and ravenalas. The bands of lemurs which live the top of the hill are part of this vast painting in Douanier Rousseau, and an advised eye will notice the presence of a local variety of boas, chameleons and birds coloured. With the return, at the end of the beach, you will be able to see the small gray fish bleu amphibious, which crawl on sand and climb in the mangrove swamp. A pleasant day relaxing expects you. The site is very pretty. Although the near total of the hotels organize this excursion, the best guide is Jean-Robert, who is of an extremely pleasant company. One can meet it for example at Gerard and Francine, in Ambatoloaka. This character, really astonishing, native of the village, know all the animals and plants; it locates in the middle of the forest the night lemurs hidden in the trunks, the chameleons, the crabs in the mangrove swamp. The meal in the end of strolls is very good and heavy, and sometimes it sometimes happens to him to sing traditional Malagasy songs. With the menu: lobsters, fish, rice with coconut and vanilla. Must discharge right a from Ar3,000 to visit the reserve. Best is to pay on the premises, not of advance (because the prices can however increase after the publication of the guide, and better is worth to be ensured some on the premises).