Marvelous Masoala

I was lucky this year to end my two months in Madagascar with a trip to the Masoala Peninsula, probably my favorite place on the island. There are few places in the world where the trailhead for hiking in primary rainforest is a deserted beach (or, alternatively, you could start straight from the lodge!), but this is one of them. It is one of the most pristine areas of Madagascar, a huge island where over 80% of the native forests have been destroyed by humans. It was wonderful to see the huge trees, abundant frogs, and incredible bird and mammal life of Masoala.

Masoala, where the forest meets the beach.

Our lodge, Chez Arol, was nestled between a small village, primary rainforest of Masoala National Park, and a beautiful beach on the Bay of Antongil. We went snorkeling one day in a marine reserve three kilometers from the lodge, but sadly most of the coral was dead.

Our lodge, Chez Arol. They are beginning to grow pineapples, sugar cane, coconuts and bananas.

The village of Ambanizana was next to the lodge.

Without a doubt the birding highlight was watching a pair of Helmet Vangas (male, below) busily building a nest in a the fork of tree directly over a small river. This is undoubtedly one of the world's most remarkable looking birds, so having several hours to watch them at close range was certainly a treat.


My trip report with many more photos can be found in the tour reports section of Tropical Birding's website. Click on October 2008: Madagascar.