Out of the Success Stories we’ve come up with, there is one talking about community managed ecotourism sites that have gotten started during the last few years. The specific example one of the field agents took was a very new site that was just inaugurated in July. Since it’s so new, there aren’t any photos, and most of the story is about how the financing was set up. I thought that before finalizing this particular story, it might be useful for me to go test it out – sort of a tourist perspective as to whether the project is really a success. So, it was helpful to work to get photos to add to the SS, and awesome for me to do a hike for free. It’s a 17km circuit just outside Andringitra National Park, and climbs up through rainforest (which is not a national protected area, but is managed by the surrounding communities as part of a transfert de gestion (management transfer) process that encourages communities to conserve their forest areas), continues past a natural pool, up above the treeline, peaking just above 2000 meters before descending back down. There’s a campsite after the descent starts, and overall it was a fantastic hike! I saw lemurs, a chameleon, some cool bugs, cute lizards, and amazing panoramic views. I was pretty hard though – hiking up steep terrain that goes up and down a lot carrying a 20lb pack is hard work! My muscles were satisfyingly sore for the next day or two. Overall, the whole ecotourism circuit is really well set up, and they’re got something very special to share with tourists and thus generate income. However, it hasn’t been marketed, and nobody knows it’s there. The directors of it say it’s a question of no tourists – they’re all on their way to Andringitra. When I asked if they’ve distributed all of the brochures they have at tourism centers or anything though, they said no. I’ve passed on the information to people here at work, and hopefully they’ll be able to help out a bit with spreading the word. Really, I liked this circuit better than my visit to Ranomafana, and it was cheaper too!
this guy was really cool, just walking along right by the path. you could see his little 2 pronged feet and his rotating eyes - seemed weird to me he wasn't in a tree though...
these guys are so friggin' cute!
long tail!
ready to jump
not a madagascar hissing cockroack. just a giant cockroach. i tried to let him crawl on my hand, but he was scared.
someone call the po-lice! this rolly polly is on steroids!
just some perspective to show how big he was
sunset from up top
these lizards are all over the place, in varying sizes
