Maroantsetra, the nature in the middle of nowhere
For natural environment and biodiversity lovers, Maroantsetra is the best destination to create a connexion with nature. It is located in the North East of Madagascar, in Tamatave province. The city is famous due to its cultivation of clove and vanilla. Maroantsetra is also known as the whale capital. Exactly like Île Sainte-Marie but less frequented by tourists, it is a privileged place for humpback whales who come to give birth and then give the first education to their whales in the bay. Go and travel to Maraoantsetra for an amazing experience on discovering endemic animal, fauna and flora of Madagascar in the largest protected area of 235.000 ha.
About the name Maroantsetra
During the Radama I kingdom, this city, which is located at the Bay of Antongil, was envied by the Ndavaka warrior. Radama I set up a strategy to prevent this takeover by the Betsimisaraka warriors. The strategy was to implement many assegais in order to terrify the enemies. That is why it now called Maroantsetra, "maro" means many and "antsetra" means assegai. Radama I strategy's works, and Betsimisaraka could not come to an end
Maroantsetra's people:
Maroantsetra region is mostly populated by Betsimisaraka ethic. People who live and come from Maroantsetra is called Antimaroa.
Masoala Park, where the sea meets the forest
Masoala park was created in 1997, the creation of the park was a bit late, as some fauna and flora have already disappeared since the arrival of human. And since 2007, Masoala park, a dense and rich forest has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Have an extraordinary and unforgettable visit in the unknown park to the public of Madagascar. Masoala park is one of the largest protected area in Madagascar 235.000 ha with 2300 km2 land park, and 100 km2 sea park.
Endemic animals in Masoala park
This park is home to 15 different lemurs,102 different birds, and 300 different fish. This place is a paradise for nature lovers and explorers. Visiting Masoala park is also means exploring the lifestyle of these exceptionnal animals. Find bellow the rarest animals in the world that you can discover during your visite in the middle of its nature:
Uroplatus:
Un reptile à teint camouflage et à queue plate que vous risquez de confondre avec des feuilles. Soyez attentionné afin d’observer cette mini-créature endémique de Madagascar!
La grenouille tomate:
Une grenouille assez timide et craintive, elle se cache souvent sous les souches ou les feuilles mortes. Sa couleur est variée en allant de rouge vif au rouge brique, à l’orange au jaune. D’où son nom Grenouille tomate, et c’est ce qui la rend unique. Alors soyez vigilant, n’écrasez pas les grenouilles!
Le vari roux:
Un lémurien doté d’une couleur roux châtain qui vire en noir sur la queue et l’extrémité des membres ainsi qu’une tache blanche sur la nuque. Ils aiment rester au bout des arbres que les rencontrer de près sont difficiles. Mais ils sont tellement bruyants que vous ne pouvez pas rater leurs présences.
L'effrai de soumagne:
Un hibou au plumage roux-orangé, c’est un animal nocturne. Le voir s’avère impossible, sauf si vous persévérez.
Eurycère de prévost:
Un oiseau au plumage bicolore noir et roux, avec une caractéristique unique: son bec bleu. Ils sont souvent remarqués pendant la nidification. C’est un oiseau arboricole très discret et le voir est très difficile. Par contre, vous allez les remarquer plus souvent pendant la nidification.
Le serpentaire de Madagascar ou Firasabé de Madagascar:
Un aigle de petite taille, un prédateur puisqu’il se nourrit des petites et de grandes espèces comme le lémurien. C’est un animal prudent et insaisissable qui se déplace rarement.
Aye-aye nocturne:
Dans la famille lémurien, il est très discret et a un caractère physique très différent : oreille de chauve-souris, yeux de hibou, incisives de rongeur, main de singe et queue d'écureuil. Sa physique fait peur, mais il reste un animal rare, nocturne et très agile qui mérite d’être découvert.
Nosy Mangabe :
Only 5 km in the South of Maroantsetra city, at the Masoala park, you will discover an island paradise and peaceful. It is located in the heart of Antongil Bay, with three forests. As quiet as th large Masoala park, you will find 5 lemurs species, 36 birds species, as well as reptile species. A clean, relaxing, and paradise beach is waiting for you after a litlle walk in the island. And why not relive the pirate stories due to rocks filled with graffiti marking the Ducth passage. Your visite will be at the same time a moment of relaxation, curltural development, and a reconnection with nature.
Antongil bay
The largest bay in Madagascar with 60 km long and 30 km wide, where Nosy Manga be is located. With a hot turquoise blue water and with a little chance, you may discover a humpback whale from July to September. Whales come to breed and to give birth to whales. It will be an unique show of whales.
Maroantsetra activities
Because it is a region with the one of the largest protected area in Madagascar, all activities both in the city or in the park are widly and varies. In the city, develop your acknoledge on discovering vanille preparation and braiding workshop, as well as the craft shipbuilding yard. In the Masoala park and its surrounding, you have many choices of activities: Dans le parc Masoala et ses alentours, beaucoup d’activités sont au choix : from hikeing to the exploration and discovery of the park, from diving to discover the marine riches in the beach of Nosy Mangabe, from snorkeling in the hot water of Antongil bay. Activities are not to be missed. Your travel in Maroanstretra will be more than benefical.
Practical info
Weather and climate:
Maroantsetra is the rainiest region in Madagascar. It has a savanna climate ( an humid and dry tropical climate), a warm, oppresive, and overcast summer; and a confortable and clear winter. The average temperature is 24.9°C, with a maximum average 31° C and the minimal 23° C. The best period to visit Maroantsetra is from June to October.
Hotel and restaurant :
Even it is not a famous destination, Maroantsetra offers you a large choice of hotel appropriate to your budget. If you want to be emerged by the nature, and to have a calm and peace during your sta, you will only be satisfied with the wide choices. And restaurants will be a bonus to your trip, as most of the products used are fresh and organic.
How to go to Maroantsetra?
A very simple and fast to go to Maroantsetra is by plane. Tsaradia offers you flights from Antananarivo, or Sambava, or Toamasina to Maroantsetra.
However, you can also take land and sea transport to join the reion of Maroantsetra.
TSARADIA flights to Maroantsetra
To Maroantsetra (WMN), Tsaradia has flights from Antananarivo (TNR), Sambava (SVB) and Toamasina (Tamatave - TMM).
Check out all domestic flights operated by Tsaradia in Madagascar
