If you're in southern Madagascar, visiter le parc botanique « Arboretum d’Antsokay » situé à 12 kilomètres à l’entrée de Toliara, on National Road 7, est une étape à faire. Cette excursion vous fera plonger dans le monde magique et surprenant de la flore du Sud Ouest de Madagascar.

L’Arboretum d’Antsokay est un véritable musée naturel qui s’étend sur 40 ha, entouré d’une haie vive végétale. Le site abrite 900 species of plants including 90% are endemic, ne se trouvant qu’à Madagascar et 80 sont des plantes médicinales. Elaboré par un botaniste amateur suisse du nom d’Herman Petignat dans les années 80, l’endroit est une forêt naturelle aménagée en parc botanique, disposant de toutes les caractéristiques de la flore des régions arides. 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, who would kill those who have the misfortune to eat them… You will also admire the 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, known for its anti-inflammatory and painkillers…

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, c’est un cadre idéal pour décompresser et s’offrir une bouffée d’oxygène. A visiter absolument si l’on est amoureux de la nature.

Quelques informations pratiques (www.antsokayarboretum.org)

Entrance :

  • 15 000 With, incluant les frais de guidage
  • 5 000 Ar pour les enfants à partir de 5 years, gratuit en dessous.
  • Supplément visite nocturne : 10 000 With.
  • Ouvert tous les jours de 7h30 à 17h30.
  • Cartes Visa et Mastercard acceptées.

Source ONTM-madagascar-tourisme.com

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