The main attractions in the northeast of Madagascar are the Masoala National Park and the Nosy Mangabe Special Reserve. Maroantsetra, a market town located on the Bay of Antongi, is the main point of access to both.
Whilst the 230,000 hectare Masoala National Park is the country’s largest, it is the least visited as it is usually only reached by a 2 hour boat journey from Maroansetra. Due to an extraordinary biodiversity of lowland rainforest, coastal forest, mountain ranges, marshland, mangroves and deserted beaches it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is a birder’s delight as it is home to both the critically endangered Madagascar serpent eagle and the Madagascar red owl. The park also encompasses three marine parks to protect delicate coral reefs and an abundant diversity of marine life.