Beradaka - FROG CHORUS

Beradaka - FROG CHORUS

For an encounter with the nocturnal frogs of Beradaka and to hear their chorus of croaking then visit Beradaka in the rainy season, just a hop from Andapa.

One kilometre from the town of Andapa is Beradaka, a site that was inaugurated by the Ministry of Tourism in 2012. The name means both ‘abundance of frogs’ and ‘large-sized frogs’. In any case, an ideal site for observing nocturnal frogs.

During a rainy spell, the croaking of the frogs fills the air of the northern forests, their joyous cries quite simply due to the period of reproduction, during the hot and wet season. Most of the frogs to be found in Madagascar are endemic to the island.

Access to the site is fairly easy, as it is situated just 200m from the road. A visit is an opportunity to discover dozens of pools and observe the endemic fish of Andapa, as well as introduced species. Around these pools, it is possible to fish, then picnic, eating the fish you have caught and grilled on the spot. Beradaka is also well known for the Antangena River and its crystal clear waters, which irrigate the town of Andapa. Not far from the town, there are also waterfalls and pools where you can bathe, in calm natural surroundings.

 

 
Beradaka - FROG CHORUS

When you visit the village, take a pause to admire the six hectares or so of orchards or the natural swimming pool and the sweeping viewpoint. The manager of the orchard will hand out seasonal fruits to visitors: pineapples, bananas, Jack fruits, lychees, mangoes, guavas and sugar-cane.

This article was featured in Prime-Magazine-March-2019.pdf

 

 

 

Useful Information

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When to go

The town of Andapa, as well as the whole of the Sava region, is characterised by a sub-equatorial climate. The site of Beradaka can be visited all the year round. Only those passionate about herpetology (study of amphibians) will prefer to visit during the rainy season. To observe the frogs, a nocturnal visit is ideal, beginning at 4pm.

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How to get there

Take an Air Madagascar/Tsaradia flight to Sambava or, for the more adventurous, you can get there by car: a 1450km drive : Antananarivo-Ambondromamy (RN4), Ambilobe (RN6) then Vohémar (RN5A) and Sambava. Beradaka is 120km further along.

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Where to stay

If you decide to spend the night in the town of Andapa, book at the Vatosoa hotel, at the Riziky or the Beanana. the Hotel Carrefour, along the road to Sambava, will also give you a warm welcome.

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Where to eat

The spot is ideal for picnics, but you need to prepare in advance. If this is not the case, the Carrefour Hotel has a restaurant, and the Maroantsetra offers national and international specialities.

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What to see

After taking a minor road about 9km from the centre of Andapa, you will reach the dam of Ampotsilahy, irrigating 8,000 hectares of rice fields. The special nature reserve of Anjanaharibe, 40km from Andapa, is also worth a visit.

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