The special reserve with the name Cap Sainte Marie is located at the southernmost point of the island of Madagascar and is sometimes known by its local name Cap Vohimena. Cap Sainte Marie is more than 17 square kilometers in sizeIt is still one of the smaller special reserves in Madagascar. Cap Sainte Marie was founded in the early 1960s, as it became obvious at that time that this particularly sensitive ecosystem with its unique biodiversity needed special protection.

Cap Sainte Marie is located in a relatively dry zone of Madagascar, directly on the southern border of the Mahafaly Karimbola Plateau. Since precipitation rarely falls from the sky in this area and there are very few river courses, this region is mainly covered with dry thorny forests. Parallel to this exist in Cap Sainte Marie huge shifting sand dunes that together with the coastal landscape create a fascinating and extremely varied picture create. In the region prevail throughout the year Warm temperaturesso that a visit to Cap Sainte Marie is basically possible at any time. In summer, however, sunscreen, plenty of water and a hat should be planned as the most important part of the travel equipment, because Temperatures around 40°C are the order of the day. The reserve is best reached by four-wheel drive car, although getting around is not particularly pleasant or easy everywhere. From Tulear, the drive takes a good two daysFrom Fort Dauphin, on the other hand, it takes only one day. However, the last few kilometers of the route prove to be particularly treacherous, as the road gradually turns more and more into a narrow path of sand, which gives the car a real hard time.

The absolute highlight in the Cap Sainte Marie Special Reserve are certainly the turtles living there. It was precisely for their protection that the reserve was originally established. Particularly striking are the Radiated tortoise as well as the spider tortoiseboth of which are highly endangered and can only be found along this narrow coastal strip of the reserve. safe habitat find. In general, by the way, it can be noted that the reserve Cap Sainte Marie has one of the largest densities of turtle populations in the world. Besides the turtles also function Humpback whales passing offshorewhich can often be observed with their offspring between July and September, like true tourist magnets. But various mammals are also at home in Cap Sainte Marie: Especially nocturnal lemurswhich unfortunately can be observed only rarely, but also tenrecs and bats have adapted to the somewhat harsh living conditions in this area. Reptiles can also be spotted frequently: The three-eyed lizard, various giant beats not dangerous to humans, geckos and chameleons can be easily observed. Also insects and different spider species are located in Cap Sainte Marie. Also of particular interest can be a Walk along the white beaches The remains of the so-called elephant bird can often be found there. This was a Giant bird that was native to Madagascar until a good 800 years ago and which could grow up to three meters tall. Unfortunately, the last specimens of this fascinating creature perished at the hands of humans, as the bird was hunted for its meat. For those who are more interested in the vegetation and the world of plants in this reserve, a fascinating discovery make Various Dwarf plants characterize the vegetation, which together form small thorny bushes. Several of these dwarf plants exist only in this reserve, where, by the way, also the otherwise gigantic Baobabs take on almost tiny proportions. For visitors to Cap Sainte Marie offer basically two different options for tours: The so-called Cape Tour leads on a relatively short walk through the dwarf spiny forest and you can catch a glimpse of various reptiles and birds. In parallel, the Cave tour a walk to the elephant bird eggs, which are about eight times the size of a chicken egg, and you can get a closer look at the turtle populations. In addition, this tour includes some of the so-called Sacred Caves as well as a few shifting sand dunes.