Parc National Baie de Baly

Western Madagascar


Best known as the home of the critically endangered ploughshare tortoise, this remote park has dense dry, bamboo and mangrove forests, sand dunes and beaches, lakes and rivers. In addition to eight lemur species (Decken's sifaka and brown lemurs are most commonly sighted), the beaches are nesting grounds for green, hawksbill, Madagascar big-headed and loggerhead turtles. The four circuits through the park take from one to six hours; the longer circuits usually include a pirogue (traditional dugout canoe) ride.

More than 120 bird species have also been recorded here.

Access to the park is only possible May to October and is from Soalala, 150km southwest of Katsepy. It's a two-day 4WD expedition from Majunga.