If you're in southern Madagascar, Visit the "Arboretum of Antsokay" botanical park located in 12 kilometers at the entrance to Toliara, on National Road 7, is a step to do. This excursion will make you plunge into the magical and surprising world of the Flora of the South West of Madagascar.
The Antsokay Arboretum is a true natural museum that extends over 40 ha, surrounded by a living hedge. The site houses 900 species of plants including 90% are endemic, found only in Madagascar and 80 are medicinal plants. Developed by a Swiss amateur botanist named Herman Petignat in the 1990s 80, the place is a natural forest converted into a botanical park, having all the characteristics of the flora of arid regions. Today, The site is maintained by the son of the founder and people devoted to the conservation of the endemic flora of the south west of Madagascar.
Botanists around the world come to this location to study endemic plants in Madagascar, at least those in the south west. It is a little paradise for these scientists who sometimes stay there for a whole week, To better understand this space representative of biodiversity in the south west of the country.
For simple visitors, The Antsokay arboretum can be visited in about an hour. Two passionate guides who know the Flora of the South West at the end of their fingers, are available to tourists. The guided tour through the botanical path of arboretum allows you to appreciate the diversity of a unique flora in the world that has adapted to the region's drought. Among the best known plants, There is the Adenia which serves as a natural sleeping pills for beekeepers, During the harvesting of honey, Wild vanilla which would have aphrodisiac virtues and finally the famous plants with beautiful mothers like the Strophantus, qui tueraient sur le coup ceux qui ont le malheur de les manger… Vous y admirerez aussi les 6 species of baobabs in the big island, on 9 existing in the world, Like the Pachypodium.
We also discover the relationships that have created between man and the plant world through the use of medicinal plants, comme le katrafay, This shrub of the Laurel family, connu pour ses vertus anti-inflammatoires et antidouleurs…
Surprising by his flora, The arboretum is also thanks to the thirty species of birds, mammal species, reptiles and lemurs evolving in complete freedom in their natural environments. If you're lucky, You can admire the microcebe, One of the smallest lemurs in the world.
Antsokay's arboretum has 6 bungalows, a restaurant and a swimming pool. For the less in a hurry, it’s an ideal setting to decompress and treat yourself to a breath of fresh air. A must-visit if you are a nature lover.
Some practical information (www.antsokayarboretum.org)
Entrance :
- 15 000 With, including guiding fees
- 5 000 Ar for children from 5 years, free below.
- Night visit supplement : 10 000 With.
- Open every day from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m..
- Visa and Mastercard accepted.
Source ONTM-madagascar-tourisme.com
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