Baie de Baly National Park *

This national park is located about 150 km southeast of Majajanga (= Majunga) in western coastal Madagascar, and can be reached by four-wheel-drive vehicle or by charter flight to Soalala, which is the town adjacent to the park. It is best known as the only remaining natural habitat for the Critically Endangered ploughshare tortoise (Asterochelys yniphora), the largest of the four endemic tortoises found in Madagascar and the most restricted in range. Lemur species that may be seen here include gray mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus), fat-tailed dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus medius), northern bamboo lemur (Hapalemur occidentalis), rufous brown lemur (Eulemur rufus), and Decken’s sifaka (Propithecus deckenii). Peters’ mouse lemur (Microcebus myoxinus) may possibly occur here as well, but this remains to be determined. There are no accommodations either in the park or in Soalala, so it is therefore necessary to bring camping equipment, and highly advisable to organize your trip through a local operator. The Bemarivo Special Reserve, located a little further down the coast, features essentially the same selection of lemur species. This park is one of the best places to see the rufous brown lemur (Eulemur rufus), recently resurrected and separated as a distinct species from the more wide-ranging red-fronted brown lemur (Eulemur rufifrons).