Sifaka dance
Sideways bounding on hind legs.
David Dennis — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Hans Bernhard (Schnobby) — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Neil Strickland — CC BY 2.0 · Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE — CC BY-SA 2.0
Berenty Reserve is a small private reserve near Amboasary Sud, along the Mandrare River in the semi-arid spiny forest of Madagascar's far south. It attracts the most visitors of any Malagasy nature reserve and is known for lemurs that come close to its paths. For more than three decades it has been a field site for lemur research, begun here by the primatologist Alison Jolly and continued by other researchers and students. It also draws bird lovers looking for Madagascar's endemic species, including owls and couas. The reserve has accommodation in the forest and a set of trails to explore. You see ring-tailed lemurs crossing the red earth in groups, and white sifakas bounding sideways on their hind legs in a movement all their own. Large fruit bats hang in the trees, rare tortoises move on the ground and colourful couas pick through dry leaves. The riverside forest offers more shade and differs from the spiny plants at the edges. The reserve is about a two-hour drive from Tôlanaro on the southeast coast, some 69.6 km in a straight line. Roads in the southern triangle between Ihosy, Toliara and Tôlanaro are riskier at night, so check the latest travel advice and travel by day with a driver from a trusted operator. Do not feed the animals, and book your stay ahead.
Sideways bounding on hind legs.
Groups crossing the red earth.
Endemic birds among the leaves.
Near Amboasary Sud, on the Mandrare River, Madagascar
About two hours by car from Tôlanaro, best by day with a trusted driver.
Yes, it has accommodation in the forest, so book ahead.