Sainte Luce Reserve
Wildlife & Animals
Madagascar Parks
Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Insight guide to Madagascar.
The forest zone of the reserve is home to several lemur species. The most common and only lemur active in the day in Sainte Luce is the endangered, localized red-collared brown lemur. Species active at night include southern woolly lemur, rufous mouse lemur and two types of dwarf lemurs. At least 70 amphibians and reptiles inhabit the reserve and chameleons are easy to see after dark.
brown lemur Common
woolly lemur Occasional
mouse lemur Occasional
right whale Occasional
chameleon Common
tree frog Occasional
flying fox Occasional
sea turtle Rare
Wildlife Highlights
There is a lot of wildlife off shore. Keen snorkelers can explore the coral reefs, home to a variety of colorful fish as well as occasional sea turtles. Dolphins can be seen playing in the surf and humpback whales are seasonal visitors from June to November. Nile crocodiles can sometimes be spotted in the mangroves.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
The only accommodation at Sainte Luce Reserve is closed from January to end of March. June to November is the time humpback whales come to the bay for calving. Most of the other wildlife can be seen at any time, but reptiles and some of the nocturnal lemurs are less active during the coolest months from June to September.
