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Hilary Bradt
Publisher, travel writer, lecturer and sculptor
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Hilary Bradt 
Emergency funding has been granted to Ankarana National Park for the deployment of special patrols this month. According to the Foundation for Protected Areas and Biodiversity of Madagascar (FAPBM), this action is needed to crack down on illegal sapphire mining (at Labandy and Bemoko) as well as illegal logging (in Analamahitsy). FAPBM expressed concern that the underground water table has been so seriously exploited that sections of limestone karst are at risk of collapse. It is hoped that the patrols – a collaboration of military, police, and Environment Ministry officials – will be an effective deterrent to loggers and miners in the area.
The gite at Ankarafantsika National Park is reportedly not in good condition. I have been unable to ascertain whether it is abandoned or simply run down, but either way I have been assured that it’s not what it once was, sadly.
The extraordinary Nosy Hara Marine National Park is home to 279 recorded species of reef fish, 108 corals, 3 sponges, 54 shellfish, 5 sea turtles, migratory whales and dolphins, the dugong, 30 birds including the Madagascar fish eagle, 18 reptiles, a boid snake, 2 baobabs, and bats living in caves.
Le Ch’ti Près at Ramena Beach, near Antsiranana, is a much-praised seafront restaurant and bar that opened in 2020. They also have three en-suite bungalows. The excellent menu is (unsurprisingly) mainly seafood-based. Contact mob 032 05 228 51; email lechtipres@lechtipres.com & stephanepatte62@gmail.com; web lechtipres.com; Facebook Le-chti-Près-100771578296848.
Starting from 13 May 2022, Cotisse Transport will start operating a new weekly taxi-brousse route between Antananarivo and Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), departing the capital at noon on Fridays, and returning at 08:00 on Tuesdays. The 1,105km journey costs 160,000Ar (£32/€37/US$40) each way. Online booking: https://cotisse-transport.com
Moses, owner of Madagascar Safari Tour Guide, has a new contact for phone/What’sApp: +261 (0)34 92 799 77. Email infomadagascarsafaritourguide@gmail.com
The phone number for the bungalows of Chez Laurent at Ankarana: 034 87 427 62 and 032 07 992 89. Basic accommodation in Mahamasina.
The road from Tana to Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) is becoming increasingly potholed (to put it mildly). The time taken to cover the route depends on the vehicle and recent weather conditions, but ranges from around 26 to 36 hours. Allow 24hrs for the Tana to Ambanja leg, 5hrs for the next section to Ambanja, and 7hrs for the last part from there to Antsiranana.