Masoala National Park
Maswala is a national park of Madagascar. It was established in 1997 on an area of 2,400 km2, 100 of which are located in the marine part. The Maswala Peninsula has an outstanding diversity of flora and fauna. In the park you can find jungle, swamps, mangroves. In 2007, Masualu was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Maswala is united with the island only by a small isthmus overgrown with dense forests - because of this, you can only get to the national park by water. But this has its advantage - it is difficult for poachers to get here.
Flora and fauna of Maswala Park
Maswala has exceptional nature. There are 10 species of lemurs, among them the bright red fluffy lemur, which is not found anywhere else. Bizarre species such as Madagascar day geckos, uroplatuses, chameleons, helmet-nosed wangs, as well as unique Madagascar barn owls and tomato frogs have found refuge in the park. Musuala is home to an impressive Madagascar urania and an inconspicuous night ai-ai. This is the only place where the rediscovered Madagascar snake-eater lives.
Maswala National Park has 3 marine parks: Tampulu, Ifahu, Ambodilaitri. These are the most tempting marine areas of Madagascar. There are many unsurpassed places for kayaking and scuba diving in marine parks. Humpback whales swim to Antongil Bay every year in July and September during the migration period. The local waters have created good conditions for the emergence of powerful marine animals. Sharks often swim near the peninsula - they are generally safe, but it is better to remain vigilant. Sharks are usually observed here from a specialized iron cage.
Tours to Maswala Park originate in the cities of Antalaha and Maroantsera. Maroantsers travel by boat from Maroantsers, and from Antalakh they travel by car and mountain bike on the way to Cap East. There are 6 campsites in the park, the main routes are located in Tampulu, Nosy-Mangabi, Cape East. For tourists, there are small hotels and bungalows in the villages on the peninsula. Any visit to the park must be officially approved by the park administration, who also provide a guide. Detailed information about the organization of tours to the park can be obtained from the guide offices in Maroantser and Antalakh.
The territory of Maswala Park is divided into 29 zones, where any tourist will find something to their taste. There are also nature reserves in the national Park. For example, Zahamen has interesting wildlife, Tampolo is good for hiking in the rainforest, Cap Est is an excellent area for ornithologists.
