Zazamalala, we restore nature
For eons of time, endless forests covered the western half of the big island of Madagascar, inhabited by plants and animals found nowhere else on earth. An impressive example can still be experienced atZazamalala forest and botanical garden. When driving from the capital Antananarivo to the beach at Morondava, a distance of 700 km, Zazamalala is the first and only forest along the road.Zazamalala is a green oasis of forest in between small villages and ponds. This isthe most threatened eco-system in the world, the habitat of many animals on the edge of extinction, such as Verreaux sifaka, Madame Berthe mouse lemur (the smallest primate on earth), the large cat-like Fossa, and the Flat-tail tortoise. In all there are 11 species of lemurs in the Zazamalala forest. Rare nesting birds include Sacred ibis, Giant coua, Bangs vasa parrot, Humblodt’s heron, Henst’s goshawk, Madagascar Harrier-hawk. Zazamalala has a botanical garden with a hundred different palms and a unique collection of shrubs and trees from the spiny forest of southern Madagascar.
Zazamalala is also a breeding centre for endangered turtles and tortoises, such as the Radiated tortoise and the Madagascar big-headed turtle.
Zazamalala is a non-profit NGO with the mission to reforest Zazamalala up to a 1000 hectares in 2025. Generally there are 150.000 seedlings in the Zazamalala nursery, comprising 100 different tree species. Zazamalala offers workshops to eco-tourists who want to learn about reforestation and practice planting of trees.
Zazamalala is all-year round open to the public. The entry fee is 50.000 ariary for foreign visitors and 10.000 ariary for Malagasy visitors. Children under 18 years of age are free of charge. There are options for lodging in the middle of the botanical garden.
Mail to
info@madagaskar.com
for details.
Further information:
www.zazamalala.org
Zazamalala for a sensational holiday!
Madagascar is different from all other countries in the world. Even experienced globetrotters will be astonished! This fascinating island is the fourth biggest in the world, measuring about 1500 x 450 km. Some 80 million years ago, Madagascar was separated from Africa and India and followed a different evolutionary path. The result is many weird flora and fauna representatives, such as the huge baobab tree, the smallest primate in the world, Madame Berthe mous lemur, the creepy finger Ayeaye, and the giant chameleon. It’s all highly unusual and worth visiting! The Malagasy people are a mixture of Asian influences plus a touch of 18 th Century European piracy, reflected in 20 different etnic groups.
Come to Madagascar and travel around. Tourist specialists agree: this continent-like island with its unique difference in landscapes is made for travelling around. Within days of travelling distance, you’ll be in a northern rainforest, on an up to 2500 m high mountain peak in the central highlands, a beach along the Indian Ocean, the desert-like south, the deciduous forest of the west. The scenery is often breath-taking!
Zazamalala is a forest reserve and reforestation project in the west. While hiking or dining, up to 11 different lemur species might be following you from the trees. Here you can enjoy the richness of the forest, the variety of trees, mammals, birds. And you may learn about the traditional lifestyle of the Sakalava tribe, e.g. their cooking habits, music, dead rituals with voodoo (grigri). Or you can learn about reforestation and actively take part in planting of trees. And certainly you can just relax on the Morondava beach.
Zazamalala is situated along the National route 35 between the capital Antananarivo and
the Morondava beach. It is easily accessible and only 45 minutes from the Morondava airport.
Since 2000 the Zazamalala forest and botanical garden are an oasis of original forest in between small villages and ponds. Once this was dense deciduous forest, an eco-system of which only 3% remains, the most threatened habitat in the world. Rare and endangered animals include: Verreaux’s sifaka
, Greater bamboo lemur, Red-fronted lemur, White- fronted lemur, Ringtail lemur, Western fork-crowned lemur, Fossa, Narrow-striped mongoose, Henst’s goshawk, Greater vasa parrot, Humblodt’s heron, Nile crocodile, Flat-tail tortoise, Madagascar big-headed turtle, Dumeril’s boa, Labord’s chameleon, Gunther’s leaf-tailed gecko, Kirindy jumping frog.
Zazamalala has a botanical garden with more than 300 endemic tree species, and many palms and flowering shrubs. Quite unique is the collection of plants from the so-called spiny forest of the south of Madagascar.
Zazamalala is also a breeding center for endangered turtles and tortoises, such as the beautiful Radiated tortoise. Zazamalala is working on a green corridor to combine nature reserves. In 2023 and 2024 the Zazamalala forest will be doubled in size. Abandoned eroded land is changed into new forest by planting a 100 different endemic tree species per ha. The Zazamalala nursery has more than 150.000 tree seedlings and 30 people are working here in reforestation.
Zazamalala is active in social projects to support the local community. Schools are repaired and supported. Latrines and water pumps are placed in adjacent villages. Solar cookers are distributed to make local families independent of fuel wood from the forest.
Excursions within one day of driving include the nature reserves of Andranomena and Kirindy, the Belo sur Mer beach resort, the Kirindy Mitea national park, and the Unesco heritage Tsingy de Bemaraha. And in just one hour you can experience the astonishing view of the Baobab alley with its enormous baobab trees.
Zazamalala is active in social projects to support the local community. Schools are repaired and supported. Latrines and water pumps are placed in adjacent villages. Solar cookers are distributed to make local families independent of fuel wood from the forest.
Excursions within one day of driving include the nature reserves of Andranomena and Kirindy, the Belo sur Mer beach resort, the Kirindy Mitea national park, and the Unesco heritage Tsingy de Bemaraha. And in just one hour you can experience the astonishing view of the Baobab alley with its enormous baobab trees.
Prices ZAZAMALALA 2023
Entry fee: 50.000 Ar (11 euro)Children under 12 years of age and Malagasy people free of charge.
Lodging in a double room on the first floor of a villa in the botanical garden with 8×4 m swimmingpool, a bathroom, large terrace with a wonderful panorama. Including continental breakfast: 190.000 Ar (42 euro), which is considered a gift to the nonprofit Association Zazabe.
During the summer months, at Zazamalala you can communicate in English, Dutch, French, German, Spanish, Malagasy language.
Zazamalala is financially supported by the nonprofit Zazamalala foundation, registered in the Netherlands. The new forest is owned and managed by the Malagasy nonprofit association Zazabe.
