Fabruce RASOLONOMENDRAIBE

Fabruce RASOLONOMENDRAIBE

When to Go Birdwatching in Madagascar?

With an avifauna composed of only 290 species, Madagascar may not compete in quantity with other birdwatching destinations, but its richness lies elsewhere. More than half of these species are endemic, meaning they cannot be found anywhere else in the world. This uniqueness turns each sighting into an exceptional encounter and places Madagascar among the 15 global biodiversity hotspots.

Red alert: Deforestation in Madagascar, a Call to Action

Madagascar, the Great Island now turned the Red Island, is facing a major environmental problem that threatens its future: deforestation. The dense forests that once covered nearly 90% of the territory have now almost disappeared, leaving only 10% of their original cover. Each year, between 2,000 and 3,000 km² of forest are reduced to ashes by bushfires and slash-and-burn agriculture (tavy).

Romazava: Mafana Greens Broth

Romazava is a traditional Malagasy dish that has been used for a long time by the Malagasy people to accompany their bowl of rice. Comparable to pot-au-feu, Romazava, whose name "Ro" means "broth" in Malagasy, is distinguished by its key ingredient: brèdes mafana (hot greens). This plant with edible leaves gives the broth a slightly spicy flavor and a tingling sensation in the mouth, an inexplicable feeling that one discovers only by trying it.

Andohahela: The National Park of Three Worlds

Located in the extreme south of Madagascar, just 40 km northwest of Taolanaro (Fort-Dauphin), Andohahela National Park is a natural gem that stretches across the Anosy region, straddling the districts of Taolanaro and Amboasary-Sud. Nestled among four large villages, this park is truly a natural treasure. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Andohahela is unique in its kind, combining three distinct ecosystems in one place. You will be able to explore evergreen humid forests, sub-arid thorny thickets, and a rare transition formation between dry and humid forests all in a single parcel!

Discover Malagasy Moraingy

Moraingy, an iconic combat sport from Madagascar, piques curiosity and wonder with its history and distinctive practices. Known under various spellings such as Moringue, Morengy, or Mourengué, this sport is deeply embedded in Malagasy culture, especially in the Sakalava region. If you are passionate about martial arts or eager to discover local traditions, Moraingy is an unmissable experience that will immerse you in the heart of Malagasy culture.

Sports practiced by the Malagasy (Team and Individual Sports)

Three sports dominate the preferences of the Malagasy: football (soccer), basketball, and volleyball. Each locality generally has its own football field. When that’s not the case, rice paddies, during the dry season, serve as makeshift fields. A popular ironic saying defines this game: “Football in the rice paddies has no rules or technique and is not known to be an excellent spectacle.” While this may be true for the highlands, in rural areas, entire villages often travel several kilometers to support their local team. Nevertheless, amateur clubs exist that, with more frequent international matches, could achieve notable feats.