Dry forest is generally a generic term for tropical and subtropical forest formations. In contrast to the rain forest, the trees in the dry forest loose their leaves during the long-lasting dry season. The Kirindy dry forest is a unique nature reserve worldwide. In this vast area in the west of Madagascar is the Kirindy-Mitea National Park. The approximately 720 km ² park area is located in the 46,000 km² region of Menabe with its capital Morondava. Of the 720 km², only 125 km² are currently being researched and accessible to visitors. The distance from the coastal city to the eastern inland capital of Madagascar Antananarivo is 700 kilometers. About 100 kilometers south of Morondava runs the border of Kirindy-Mitea National Park, which has been open to the public since 1997.
Flora and fauna are extremely diverse both in the national park and in the entire dry forest. With the Malagasy giant rat called Votsotsa, Fossa and seven lemur species are some of the most typical Malagasy species. Visitors can observe this repeatedly in there as well as in others of the nearly four dozen nature parks in the country. Here in the dry forest of Kirindy, these animals feel safe and at home, although they can be seen close by the park visitor. Large and bizarre grown baobabs, also known as African monkey trees, reach heights of up to 40 meters in this region. Rare birds, reptiles and amphibians are part Kirindy private reserve. The mouse lemur is a primate from the group of lemurs. As a genus of mouse lemur, the approximately 10 centimeters long animal lives exclusively here in the dry forest. Around 15 dozens of tree shrubs and plant species are identified in the protected area. In addition, the dry forest hosts a variety of medicinal plants, which are still used by the inhabitants of the area.
Unlike other nature parks in Madagascar, the local dry forest is largely untouched. There is only one camp in the park. It is operated by the CFPF, the Centre de Formation Professionelle Forestiere, based in Morondava. Even in the camp you can already make acquaintance with the Malagasy giant rat and the fossa. The fossa is the largest carnivore living in Madagascar. A nursery project near the Baobab Allee is being used for scientific work. This unique avenue leads from Morondava to the Kirindy dry forest. Over the centuries, nature has adapted to the dry forest climate with plants and animals in this region of Madagascar. The dry season lasts eight, nine or ten months.
Highlights
– Daytime and nocturnal lemurs
– Fossa and Votsotsa
– Medicinal plants and special baobabs
Equipment
– Trekking shoes or solid sports shoes
– enough liquid
– pocket or headlamp (for night walk)
Duration
Day hike (2-3 hours)
Night hike (2 hours)
