Kirindy Mitea National Park

Kirindy Mitea, not to be confused with the Kirindy forest north of Morondava, is a coastal national park covering the transition between the western dry forest and the spiny thicket of the southwest, with dunes, mangrove, and shallow salt lakes that hold greater flamingos in numbers. Baobabs of several species stand in the forest and along the shore, and lemurs include Verreaux's sifaka and red-fronted brown lemurs. Marine turtles nest on the beaches and dolphins are seen offshore. Almost nobody comes: access is a rough track from Belo sur Mer or a boat down the coast, there is no accommodation in the park, and visits are camping trips arranged through the park office or lodges in Belo. The reward is a stretch of coast and forest with no development on it at all.

What you actually see

• Flamingos - flocks on the shallow salt lakes.
• Baobabs on the shore - several species in forest and dune country.
• Verreaux's sifaka - lemurs in the dry forest sections.
• Empty beaches - turtle nesting sand with no development.

When to go

April to November for the tracks and for settled seas if arriving by boat. Flamingo numbers vary with water levels. The wet season closes overland access entirely.

Honest expectations

There is no accommodation, no shop and no reliable water; this is camping with everything carried in. Access requires either a four-wheel drive on a bad track or a boat charter. Wildlife is spread thin across a large area. Very few guides work here, so arrangements must be made ahead.

Nearby

Belo sur Mer lies north; Morondava is further north again.