excursions in fort dauphin

In the middle of a desertic land and a bush vegetation , Tolagnaro appears as an oasis of freshness. Its geographical situation won it at times past the qualification of a strategic site and which gave rise to history rich in events . Today the small city has only some industries based on the mica extraction , the sisal exploitation and a still traditional fishing , activities that do not satisfy the job application of a mosaic of population composed of Antanosy for the majority .
But its surroundings offer one of the most beautiful sites of Madagascar, promontory enclosed by two splendid fine sand bays and sheltered by the Anosy mountain crests. The region around the city represents like a synthesis of the main aspects of Madagascar : to note the Nampohana private park at 7km to the north of the city , or Berenty private park with its arts and Antandroy popular tradition museum . There is also Andohahela national park : a real paradise for researchers , naturalists, and legends greedy tourists.

Saint Louis Peak 529m high is an unique viewpoint that dominates all the region and the peninsula of Fort Dauphin . From east to west one can admire Sainte Luce , Lokaro islands , Evatra headland , Dauphine cove , Libanona headland , the Galleon false bay , Ranavalona Cape, Andriambe lake....

Its entry door dating since 1643 , the fort has been restored in years 1950 and the bastion still contains three ship cannons. When taking the rampart walk by the right, one discovers lower the small fort ruins . A project aiming to establish the Anosy historical museum and to renovate existing buildings are in progress .

Vinanibe lake and its Nautical center :situated at 8 km from Tolagnaro,
This immense lake bordered with fishermen villages is a haven of peace and delight for nature lovers and also an ideal place for windsurfing and other nautical activities lovers . There is a Nautical center and leisures as the area benefits from favorable navigation conditions with the presence of the North-east trade winds from July to January. This centre has a tourist infrastructure and top-of-the range equipment .

Portuguese fortress

Situated 10 km westward Fort Dauphin .
It is also called Tranovato. It is the most ancient construction built by Europeans because it dates back 1504 and it is situated in an islet of the Vinany Be river. It remains just three walls of 1 meter thick . Its visit is submitted to authorization delivered by the Heaulme company.

Situated at 40 km north-east from Tolagnaro.
It is a dream place for bathings and scuba divings lovers . The surroundings strewn with many islets make the happiness of fishermen and aquatic birds. A trip by pirogue in the middle of the aquatic vegetation will make you discover the pandanus, ravenalas and carnivorous plant as the nepenthes, that abound in this region.

The surrounding lakes

There are many lakes in this region :
Anony lake situated in seaside , in the region of Mandrare lower valley is a briny lake communicating with the sea by a channel and therefore submitted to the tides regime . It is a very beautyfull site with its white sand banks and its filaos.
At 3 km to the east, Erombo lake attracts a great number of aquatic birds. This swallow lake dries rapidly .
Manantantely waterfalls and Ranomafana spa in the Manangohy valley and Tsivory is worth to be visited before going up the east coast by following the Anosyan chain

Situated at 110 km from Fort Dauphin , in the junction of the national road joining Fort Dauphin to Ihosy (RN 13) and Tuléar (RN 10) .
It is possible to gather remains of Aepyornis eggshells on the wide beach. The main culture product is the sisal, the peanut , the bean ..

Beloha and Ste Marie cape

Beloha and Sainte Marie Cape special reserve :at 63 km southward Tsiombe.
Beyond the Onilahy and until Fort Dauphin we enter in the deep South , the Mahafaly and Androy countries ; the roughest but also the most strange regions .
The reserve reflects very well the regional flora and fauna realities :the vegetation of the reserve is composed of sub arid thorny thicket . The fauna is poor although two species of land tortoises are well represented :the Geochelone radiata and Pyxis arachnoîdes.
On the other hand Sainte Marie cape special reserve is an ideal site for the observation of Cetaceans , especially the humpbacked Whale precisely from June to October ;
A deep exploration of the Malagasy extreme south requires a four wheel drive car and bivouac equipement so as to be confronted with the wild reality of coast small villages .

The places of interests

Our Selection of hotels

THE PROTECTED AREAS

Integral Natural Reserve

Belief and Traditions

Other spots to discover :

Antananarivo

Antsiranana

Nosy Bé

Majunga

Morondava

Fianarantsoa

Tamatave

Sainte Marie

What you should know about Madagascar :

The Country

The climate

The ecotourism

Fauna and flora

Parks and Reserves

Its population

The funerary arts

Belief and traditions

Useful informations

Useful addresses

*Belief and Traditions*
Famadihana	Fitampoha	Tsanga-Tsaina	Alahamady bé	Sambatra

	In the middle of a desertic land and a bush vegetation , Tolagnaro appears as an oasis of freshness. Its geographical situation won it at times past the qualification of a strategic site and which gave rise to history rich in events . Today the small city has only some industries based on the mica extraction , the sisal exploitation and a still traditional fishing , activities that do not satisfy the job application of a mosaic of population composed of Antanosy for the majority . But its surroundings offer one of the most beautiful sites of Madagascar, promontory enclosed by two splendid fine sand bays and sheltered by the Anosy mountain crests. The region around the city represents like a synthesis of the main aspects of Madagascar : to note the Nampohana private park at 7km to the north of the city , or Berenty private park with its arts and Antandroy popular tradition museum . There is also Andohahela national park : a real paradise for researchers , naturalists, and legends greedy tourists.
	St Louis peak
	Saint Louis Peak 529m high is an unique viewpoint that dominates all the region and the peninsula of Fort Dauphin . From east to west one can admire Sainte Luce , Lokaro islands , Evatra headland , Dauphine cove , Libanona headland , the Galleon false bay , Ranavalona Cape, Andriambe lake....
	Flacourt fortress
	Its entry door dating since 1643 , the fort has been restored in years 1950 and the bastion still contains three ship cannons. When taking the rampart walk by the right, one discovers lower the small fort ruins . A project aiming to establish the Anosy historical museum and to renovate existing buildings are in progress .
	The lakeVinanibe
	Vinanibe lake and its Nautical center :situated at 8 km from Tolagnaro, This immense lake bordered with fishermen villages is a haven of peace and delight for nature lovers and also an ideal place for windsurfing and other nautical activities lovers . There is a Nautical center and leisures as the area benefits from favorable navigation conditions with the presence of the North-east trade winds from July to January. This centre has a tourist infrastructure and top-of-the range equipment .
	Portuguese fortress
	Situated 10 km westward Fort Dauphin . It is also called Tranovato. It is the most ancient construction built by Europeans because it dates back 1504 and it is situated in an islet of the Vinany Be river. It remains just three walls of 1 meter thick . Its visit is submitted to authorization delivered by the Heaulme company.
	Lokaro coves
	Situated at 40 km north-east from Tolagnaro. It is a dream place for bathings and scuba divings lovers . The surroundings strewn with many islets make the happiness of fishermen and aquatic birds. A trip by pirogue in the middle of the aquatic vegetation will make you discover the pandanus, ravenalas and carnivorous plant as the nepenthes, that abound in this region.
	The surrounding lakes
	There are many lakes in this region : Anony lake situated in seaside , in the region of Mandrare lower valley is a briny lake communicating with the sea by a channel and therefore submitted to the tides regime . It is a very beautyfull site with its white sand banks and its filaos. At 3 km to the east, Erombo lake attracts a great number of aquatic birds. This swallow lake dries rapidly . Manantantely waterfalls and Ranomafana spa in the Manangohy valley and Tsivory is worth to be visited before going up the east coast by following the Anosyan chain
	Ambovombe
	Situated at 110 km from Fort Dauphin , in the junction of the national road joining Fort Dauphin to Ihosy (RN 13) and Tuléar (RN 10) . It is possible to gather remains of Aepyornis eggshells on the wide beach. The main culture product is the sisal, the peanut , the bean ..
	Beloha and Ste Marie cape
	Beloha and Sainte Marie Cape special reserve :at 63 km southward Tsiombe. Beyond the Onilahy and until Fort Dauphin we enter in the deep South , the Mahafaly and Androy countries ; the roughest but also the most strange regions . The reserve reflects very well the regional flora and fauna realities :the vegetation of the reserve is composed of sub arid thorny thicket . The fauna is poor although two species of land tortoises are well represented :the Geochelone radiata and Pyxis arachnoîdes. On the other hand Sainte Marie cape special reserve is an ideal site for the observation of Cetaceans , especially the humpbacked Whale precisely from June to October ; A deep exploration of the Malagasy extreme south requires a four wheel drive car and bivouac equipement so as to be confronted with the wild reality of coast small villages .