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ReefDoctor and Ifaty village
The ReefDoctor site is based on the periphery of Ifaty village, 27km north of the main provincial town of Toliara on the Bay of Ranobe. Ifaty is a typical Malagasy fishing village - there is no mains electricity or running water and life is basic.
In the village there are a few local hut restaurants, three small bars, small locally run shops and a small nightclub - dancing with fishermen to local music on Saturday nights is a must! Two of Ifaty’s bars also have ‘cinema shacks’ and, at 5p per film, are a bargain - though most films are Kung fu movies and in French.
Behind Ifaty village is the spiny forest, considered one of the most endangered habitats worldwide. The flora of the countryside consists of dry weather plants such as cacti, shrubs, baobab trees, tamarind trees and the infamous octopus tree.
During a stay with us, Research Assistants are encouraged to take walks in the spiny forest as there is a diverse array of endemic weird and wonderful animals and plants. The white sandy beach outside the ReefDoctor camp stretches northwards for miles with few houses and even fewer people. After an hour’s walk you’ll reach the closest village to Ifaty - Mangili.
Mangili is the main tourist destination for the region north of Toliara and has some good quality hotels and restaurants. The town is relatively new compared to Ifaty, and has been built around the growing tourist industry.
There are numerous restaurants and two nightclubs in Mangili making it a good place to visit on Friday nights - a pirogue (the local fishing vessel) really is the best way to come back from a night out, as long as it’s not low tide!
