Reniala Private reserve

We rise early today for a special sunrise walk in Reniala Private Reserve, managed by a local environmental association working to develop ecotourism in the area. Hike some of the trails to explore the spiny forest, a unique ecosystem which only occurs in the southwest Madagascar. The reserve contains more than 2000 plant species, as well as impressively old baobabs – including one that is 41 feet in diameter. The reserve also has 65 species of birds; rare endemics such as the Red-capped Coua and the Blue Vanga can easily be seen. Return to the hotel for a late breakfast, and explore the beach or hotel amenities. This afternoon, return to Reniala to continue exploring the flora and the tortoise park. Enjoy a special dinner this evening under the baobab trees in the reserve. Overnight at Le Paradisier.


About half the crew got up for the sunrise walk. The rest of us relaxed and had coffee….. Morning was reserved to basic updates of tasks like – laundry which could hang out in the sun, a bit of reading, some cross stitch and an audio book.

I wandered around the camp and just relaxed. A small group went snorkeling out on the reef. The water was barely 3 meters in most places so they had a great time with fish, coral and plant life. George went to the evening meal. As did only three others. They had a lovely hike through the same portion of the spiny forest before their dinner outside in the breeze. I didn’t ask about the insects, I didn’t want to know. Lunch had been late enough that I have no clue where any of them found room for supper.

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About Holly

fiber person - knitter, spinner, weaver who spent 33 years being a military officer to fund the above. And home. And family. Sewing and quilting projects are also in the stash. After living again in Heidelberg after retiring (finally) from the U.S. Army May 2011, we moved to the US ~ Dec 2015. Something about being over 65 and access to health care. It also might have had to do with finding a buyer for our house. Allegedly this will provide me a home base in the same country as our four adult children, all of whom I adore, so that I can drive them totally insane. Considerations of time to knit down the stash…(right, and if you believe that…) and spin and .... There is now actually enough time to do a bit of consulting, editing. Even more amazing - we have only one household again. As long as everyone understands that I still, 40 years into our marriage, don't do kitchens or bathrooms. For that matter, not being a golden retriever, I don't do slippers or newspapers either. I don’t miss either the military or full-time clinical practice. Limiting my public health/travel med/consulting and lecturing to “when I feel like it” has let me happily spend my pension cruising, stash enhancing (oops), arguing with the DH about where we are going to travel next and book buying. Life is good!
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One Response to Reniala Private reserve

  1. ronald hansen says:

    Thank you for visiting these parks.

    You’re helping both them and the lemurs – the world’s cutest and most endangered animals – survive.

    When I looked for more information about Reniala just one day after you posted this, this post was number four on Duckduckgo’s list.

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