- Address: Baie De Baly National Park, Madagascar
- Area: 571.42 sq. M. km
- Date of creation: 1997.
Bali Bay is a national park in the northwest of Madagascar , consisting of coastal and marine ecosystems.
Fauna and flora of the reserve
The symbol of the park is the Madagascar beak-breasted tortoise, which is one of the most vulnerable animal species in the world. A tortoise, which the locals call an angoon, is the endemic of the park. To date, there are about 250-300 individuals of these animals.
Other turtles live on the territory of the park, including the freshwater Madagascar pseudopod, or the Madagascar giant bokoshey turtle, as well as 37 other reptile species. There are also amphibians here, there are 8 species.
On the territory of the park there are 8 species of lemurs, 4 - rodents and other mammal species. However, the representatives of avifauna are most diverse: 122 species of birds nest here, 55 of which are waterfowl (this is 86% of all waterfowl in Madagascar). Here you can observe the life of the eagle-fisherman, which is also included in the Red Book.
The flora of the reserve is diverse - on its territory there are about 130 plant species, including endemic bamboo Perrierbambus madagascariensis and poisonous tree erythrofleum of the Commander.
Tourist routes
The park offers its visitors several tourist routes. The most popular of them are:
- Observation for the tortoises-antagonists The length of the route is 4 km, the motor boat delivers tourists to the habitat of turtles. Designed for 3 hours; is held between December and May.
- Ornithological tours, including a 2-day route, during which you can observe the life of eagle-fishermen. It is held from May to October.
How to get to the reserve?
The park is located 150 km from the city of Mahadzang . From it you need to get to Soalal - first cross the strait to the town of Kazefi, and from it go on a dirt road without a name, it is available from May to November, the journey will take about 2.5 hours. If you go around on land, the road from Mahajangi to Soalala will take about 8 hours.
You can get to Soalala from Mahajangi and by sea, the journey will take from 6 to 12 hours. The best option is the air route - in Soalala there is a small airfield that accepts Air Madagascar flights, however flights here fly irregularly. From Soalal it is possible to reach the park by car (by detour), or directly - by boat.
Pay attention to local bans (fadi): it is forbidden to carry pork to the park territory, and you can not take peanuts on boats.