Honko community-based mangrove reserve. The Bird’s haven
Visit the first fully developed community mangrove reserve in southwest Madagascar and truly support the local community! Located between Tulear and Ifaty-Mangily, this community-based mangrove reserve offers the unique opportunity to take a guided boardwalk tour of southwest Madagascar's mangroves and explore its unique flora and fauna. This site is particularly noted for its wetland bird diversity (at least 37 species)!
We invite all those who come to Madagascar to visit the Reef Doctor Honko Project to get an insider’s look at the mangroves and mangrove-related projects. One of our local, trained tour guides will lead you through this unique ecosystem along 1 km boardwalk with informational signs along the way to learn about the mangroves’ adaptations, threats, and conservation. 4 m tall viewpoint overlooking the channel and mangrove forest is also an ideal spot for birdwatching, in addition to abandoned saltpans that host a great diversity of wading birds.
If you require something more adventurous, you can also opt to kayak or take an off-boardwalk extension tour into the heart of the mangroves, enjoying the mud and bugs that come with it!
The project is not only set up to help protect the mangroves but also has helped local women set up small weaving businesses of their own where they sell their hand woven products from bags to hats. This is a fantastic project that is doing invaluable work and most deserved of its success. All proceeds go directly to the local guides and mangrove conservation projects. Not to be missed!
Watch more photos about Honko community-based mangrove reserve here.