The Cap Sainte Marie Special Reserve, also known as Cap Vohimena, is located at the southernmost tip of Madagascar. It is part of the Southern Ecoregion, straddling the Tsihombe and Beloha Districts in the Androy region. The presence of endemic and endangered spider and radiated tortoises justifies the Reserve’s conservation. In addition to the reptile and bird species that can be observed here, traces of the famous elephant bird : Aepyornis sp. (a fossil bird that lived on Madagascan soil 700 years ago). Pieces of eggshell are found in abundance on the sand dune of Vavaogne beach, circuit Grotte. Floristic richness is based above all on specific dwarf vegetation, which is essential for adapting to the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels and ocean acidification.
Turtles (Astrochelys radiata, Pyxis arachnoïde), Flora: Euphorbia capsaintemariensis (Euphobiaceae), Aloe milottis, Aloe androyensis (Liliaceae) and Magistostegium perrieri or cape rose (Malvaceae),...
Operculicaya decaryi, Megistostegium (Cape Rose), Euphorbia capsaintemariensis, Allaudia commosa, Commiphora simplicifolia; FAUNA: Astrochelys radiata, Coua cristata, Coua ruceps
Astrochelys radiata, Pyxis arachnoïde (Endangered)
From 2021 to 2024, the Agents and CLP (Local Park Committee) carried out 907 days of patrol, i.e. 1,831 HJ. The 1,831 HJ covered 4,816 km of itinerary.
Turtle poaching, Livestock wandering, Illegal occupation (livestock parking in the reserve)
Dune advancement, Invasive plant proliferation (Red cactus)
A number of initiatives have been planned to address the environmental challenges and human pressures on the park.
-Patrol :
Reserve agents: 1,020 objectives to be achieved in 340 patrol missions
CLP: 1,080 objectives to be achieved in 380 patrols
-Eradication of 12 ha of invasive plants (red cactus)
-Maintenance of 10 km of external boundaries and 8 km of hard cores
-Construction of a control barrier
Job creation through ecotourism promotion and distribution of 10 pirogues and 10 fishing nets
Construction of a hospital and water supply system
Partnership with NGO TSA (Turtle Survival Alliance) on research, conservation and ecotourism.
Depending on your means of transport :
-Toliara Cap Sainte Marie: 505km.
-Fort Dauphin- Cap Sainte Marie: 233Km is inaccessible during the rainy season.
-Ambovombe Androy-Cap Sainte Marie: 126 Km is inaccessible during the rainy season.
-Tsihombe-Cap Sainte Marie: 63 Km
-Faux Cap-Cap Sainte Marie: 54 Km
-Lavanono-Cap Sainte Marie: 23 Km
2hrs 30mins from Tsihombe, RN10 to the south; 45mins from Lavanono, to the east, and approx. 2hrs from Faux Cap to the west.
Tips for reaching the Park/Reserve:To reach the Cap Sainte Marie Special Reserve by 4x4 car, from Tsihombé, take the RN10 junction (Tsihombé), follow the carriageway to the C/R of Marovato for 35km and discover the office of the UG of the Cap Sainte Marie Special Reserve after 18km from Marovato. It is advisable to take the second road from Beloha, leaving the RN10, to Lavanono towards Cap Sainte Marie, a distance of 65km.the track is always sandy and passable all year round, with difficulties in February and March (cyclone season).
None
None
April-September:
Download the reference document to find out more about park fees and charges.
Tours | Summary | Difficulty | Duration | Tour plans |
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GROTTE CIRCUIT | 1km200 round trip, in 2h 30mn walk; medium gradient and exposed to the sun. Attractions: beach, cave, pieces of eggshell from the famous elephant bird called Aepyornis sp can be seen in abundance on the sand dune. |
2h 30min |
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CAP CIRCUIT | 2km non-loop circuit in 1h 30mn walk. Attractions: Visits to the lighthouse, panoramic scenery along the cliffs, southern point of Madagascar (the real Cap sainte Marie), quiet and peaceful place for whale-watching (July to mid-November), sunset photography. |
1h 30min |
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