Short Horned Chameleon, Mitsinjo Reserve

Andasibe is also an area of Madagascar that's great for nocturnal photography. The rainforest is rich in frog and chameleon biodiversity which are best seen at night, as well as tiny mouse lemurs. Obviously, I squeezed in as many night walks as possible while I was there. The first area we visiting was in a reserve known as Mitsinjo. I was particularly keen to support this reserve as it was formed by residents of the local village in 1999, called Association Mitsinjo. In 2003 they gained management of Analamazoatra Forest Station, one of the best places to see the Indri. Association Mitsinjo provides employment for more than 50 members of the local community. Roughly half of their employees are certified tourist guides for the Andasibe area, while others work on a project by project basis. In total, their activities have an effect on more than 400 households in the Andasibe area. It is the perfect example of how the local community is working in harmony with nature; so vital in a place like Madagascar where deforestation is rife and discoveries for medicinal purposes and advancements in science are still being found.