| Madagascar, which is among the top five countries in the world in terms of biodiversity richness, is famous for its remarkable variety of wildlife and plants. Masoala is the largest National Park of the Island and one of the only places in the country where the rainforest meets the sea. Located in northeast Madagascar, the Peninsula includes both marine and forest habitats. Three marine parks protect important coral reefs: Tampolo in the West, Ambodilaitry in the South, and Tanjona in the East. These are among Madagascar's most interesting marine environments.
A few winding coastal footpaths along the coast and through the forest offer the only land-based access. Otherwise, small boats provide a lifeline to the handful of small fishing villages spread around the peninsula. Masoala is a place rich in culture and Malagasy traditions. The "Fady" or taboos are still rigorously observed in some places, illustrating the still significant links between man and the forest (or between the modern and traditional worlds).
"In September-October 2006 we circumnavigated the 180 km peninsula in 17 days by sea kayak from Cap Est to Maroantsetra. It was a life experience to arrive in a small village on the East coast and to have 300 Malagasy people welcome us around the kayaks, or to have children singing and dancing for us, to see a giant turtle in the middle of the sea taking some air, to see dolphins jumping out of the water, to paddle in the rough sea of the Indian Ocean and the calm water within the lagoon, to be guided in the primary rainforest discovering its wildlife, to live simply day by day, to paddle up some clear river stream, to camp on desert beaches in front of coral reefs, to share the daily life of the local people that could not image that two "vasah" arrived from the sea in yellow "pirogues", and above all a woman in one of them!" "Our sea kayaking journey would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors, the ANGAP and our friends. Please have a look at the acknowledgments section." | | |
