Lac Alaotra **

Lac Alaotra is Madagascar’s largest lake and also its most important rice-growing area. It is located in central-eastern Madagascar, just west of Zahamena National Park. It is the only place to see the Critically Endangered Lac Alaotra bamboo lemur (Hapalemur alaotrensis), which is endemic to the immediate vicinity of the lake, and occupies one of the most unusual niches of any primate. The best starting points for lemur-watching excursions are Andreba on the eastern side of the lake or Andilana Atsimo on the western side. Both villages can be reached from Ambatondrazaka, the main town on the lake’s south side. Ambatondrazaka offers simple hotel accommodations and can be reached in 40 minutes by plane or six hours by car from Antananarivo. Bamboo lemurs can be found either by paddling a pirogue through the reed beds in the early morning, or, when water levels are low, by walking in and around the reed beds on dry land. However, it is essential to have an experienced local guide who is familiar with the behavior of this lemur, since it is a cryptic species and not easy to find. The village of Andreba has a marsh reserve where local guides can help find it, and there is a simple but well-run camp in Andreba as well. The most important field work on this species has been carried out by Durrell, and a new, 42,478-ha protected area was created there in late 2006, covering the lake and surrounding marsh and with various use zones for the local people. Lac Alaotra is also a 722,500-ha Ramsar wetland site, designated in 2003.