The Eastern Region

From Mgias

Contents 1 Introduction 1.1 Landscapes and Geological Formations 1.2 Lemurs 1.3 Other Indigenous Creatures 1.4 Plant Life 1.5 Beaches and Marine Life 1.6 Culture 2 Trip Planner

Introduction

The Eastern region extends along the narrow band of the east coast from sea level to 800meters altitude. This area receives perpetual annual rainfall ranging from 2000 to 3000mm with a high constant temperature. The Eastern Region can be split into three types of areas:

1. Where much of the virgin rainforst is gone forever, ruined by a slash and burn agriculture method known locally as “Tavy”, and all that remains is open grassland and some Traveller's palm.
2. The crystalline rocks which cover greater part of the eastern half of Madagascar
3. The eastern coastline which has a beautiful long beach extending from north to south.

Landscapes and Geological Formations

Remnants of original rainforest do remain on the eastern escarpment. These host the largest concentration of wildlife and the biggest number of endemic plants, and are therefore among the world’s highest priority for conservation. These include

1. Masoala national park
2. Nosy Mangabe Special Reserve
3. Ambodiforaha
4. Manombo reserve
5. Midongy forest

Lemurs

The above 5 protected areas are a lovely sanctuary with many species of lemurs, including the amazing Aye Aye

Other Indigenous Creatures

These areas also house many species of colourful chameleons, geckos, snakes, frogs, invertebrates, and birds.

Plant Life

With the height of the forest canopy avering 25 to 30 meters, the plant species include

1. The country’s 600 endemic orchid species
2. Hardwood trees such as rosewood
3. Palms, including the Travellers Palm
4. Lianas,
5. Bamboos,
6. Epiphytes,
7. Tree-ferns and lichens.

Beaches and Marine Life

The east coast has a beautiful long beach extending from north to south, but it is not recommended for swimming because of sharks. However, the Tampolo reserve in the northern part of the region and the offshore coral island Sainte-Marie, are an ideal places for swimming, diving and whale watching.

Culture

Like the highlander people, the Betsimisaraka ethnic group practise Famadihana or exhumation, but their ceremony is traditionally different in that their individual tombs differ from the rest of the Malagasy people. They bury their dead inside hollow tree-trunk like a canoe, almost on the surface of the ground. This is surrounded by a wooden fence, and there is a small shelter like a roof 2 to 3 meters above the ground. Then, after few years the dried skeleton is exhumed and put inside a wooden or concrete coffin.

Trip Planner

ITINERARIES IN THE EASTERN REGION

Antananarivo, driving to Perinet special reserve, Toamasina (Tamatave); then flying from Toamasina to Maroantsetra , Nosy Mangabe Special reserve: 6 to 7days (camping in Nosy Mangabe) Extensions:

1. Boat from Maroantsetra to Ambodiforaha forest, Tampolo marine reserve and Masoala national park (boat) + 3 to 4 days camping
2. Mananara (aye-aye island) + 3 days
3. Hiking from Maroantsetra to Antalaha + 4 to 5days.
4. Hiking from Maroantsetra following the coast, Cap-Est to Antalaha + 7 to 8 days.
5. Hiking from Tanandava (north of Ambatondrazaka) to Vavatenina (north of Tamatave) + 7 to 8 days.
6. Diving at Sainte Marie, Ile aux Nattes, Ile au Sable and Baie d’Ampanihy.

Antananarivo, Antsirabe, Fianarantsoa,(train to Manakara) Manakara, Vangaindrano,Manakara,fly to Antananarivo : 7 to 8 days Extensions:

1. Hiking from Ifanirea (west of Vohipeno) to Ambohimahamasina + 5 days
2. Hiking From Ambohimahamasina, Isalo, Toliara + 4 days