THE WEST OF MADAGASCAR
Most of the Western coast of Madagascar is characterized by baobabs and thorn forests, endless white and golden sandy beaches, dunes, mangrove forests and turquoise seas. Sea shore is the home of the Vezo, the "children of the sea". The small villages along the Mozambique Channel live to the rhythm of the tides. The Vezo are actually sea nomads and often spend weeks or even months sailing out to uninhabited islands to dry the fish they have caught and then return to the main island with their catch. Inland, inhabit other tribes amongst which the Mikea, Masikoro and Sakalava in the middle and Northern part of the West coast. Contact with the “outside world” is often minimal and traditional structures such as village kings, clairvoyants, fortune-tellers and healers have been preserved to this day. They perform magic acts and produce amulets and medicines to help against all kinds of illnesses and the evil spells to which the population is constantly exposed.
Highlights
Endless white and golden and untouched sand beaches, turquoise seas, otherworldly prickly bush, ageless baobab trees, endemic wildlife with particular mention to birds.
Ankarafantsika National Park
Antrema
Baie de Baly National Park
Namoroko National Park
Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park
Kirindy Mite National Park
Mangoky Ihotry National Park