NATIONAL PARKS

NORTH

Discover the Special Reserve of Lokobe, a Park located in the southern part of Nosy be Island, in the northwest of Madagascar. With a tropical warm climate which makes visits easy and always possible the whole year, the Park possesses diverse tourism assets like its flora which includes the original forest of Sambirano or its protected marine area of 1,22km². Lokobe also contains a varied population of animal species, the blue and whitepanther chameleon, other species of reptiles and lemurs such as the Eulemur macaco.

Located in the region of Andapa and Sambava and considered as a National Park since 1998, Marojejy especially consists of primary forests which home almost 118 bird species, 11 of lemur species which involve the endemic Silky sifaka, carnivores such as the Ring-tailed mongoose, the Fossa and 148 reptile and amphibian species. Marojejy comprises a very large surface of dense humid rainforest, mountain forests, fern plants and more than 50 palm species.

Covering a total surface of 185km² and known for its crater lakes and waterfalls, Amber Mountain is located 30km southwest of Diego Suarez, in Joffreville. Established in 1958, the park gives shelter to a great density of animal species such as lemurs, fossa and endemic birds like the Amber Mountainrock-thrush and reptiles which include the smallest chameleon of the world « the Brookesia ambreenis ». The most visited area of the park is the « Sacred Waterfall »..

NORTH-WEST

The name of the Park comes from « garafantsika » which means « mountain of thorns ». It is located in the region of Boina in the northwestern part of Madagascar. 450km from Antananarivo, which means 8 hours by car or 115 km from Mahajanga for 2 hours’ drive. The park is characterized by a sandy massif in which different animal species and plants can be found. With an average annual rainfall of 1,475mm and a warm climate, Ankarafantsika Park is composed of varied forests and savannas and is famous for the Ankarokoaroka canyon which has resulted from erosions.

In the province of Mahajanga, district of Antsalova is situated the Tsingy Strict Nature Reserve. Its total surface is about 1Bemaraha National Park52 000ha and offers a beautiful view of karstic scenery. Resulting from erosion, those limestones display different rank of natural sharp rocks which form a kind of maze combined with its caves. Preserved mangrove forests are also found within the park, species such as lemurs and birds live there. Bemaraha National Park is classified among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is genuine for its rich biodiversity and unique view.

Baly Bay is located in the southwest of Mahajanga, in the region of Boeny and covers a total surface of 58 km². The Park is characterized by a warm and sub-humid climate. The symbolic species within the Park is the endemic ploughshare tortoise « the Angonoka ».   The park comprises dense forests and also marine biodiversity at the same time. Diverse populations of animal species are to be seen. Both aquatic animals and terrestrial live in this area. The park homes more than 118 species of birds, 13 primates which encompasse the bamboo lemur, the Decken’s sifaka and some variety of reptiles.

The Sahamalaza National Park comprises an area of 26.035ha, situated in the region of Sofia, province of Mahajanga, northwest of the Island. It has been established in 2007 and recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2001. It is home to endangered lemurs such as the blue-eyed black lemur “Eulemur flavifrons”. The climate of the Park varies from season to season and the park is characterized by a flat and uneven ground. The Biosphere is carpeted with mangroves which reach around 57 km². Since it combines both terrestrial and sea setting, Sahamalaza Biosphere Reserve presents a rich, voluptuous ecosystem and offers a large stretch of activities.  

Namoroka National Park is situated in the northwestern region of Madagascar in the province of Mahajanga and 50 km south of Soalala. Established in 1927, the Tsingy of Namoroka is made up of eroded limestone and extends over 22.227 ha on which grow varieties of baobabs and other vegetations. The Tsingy of Namoroka also possesses caves and deep canyons which frame its landscape. Other types of animal species also live in the surrounding such as lemurs and water birds.  

On the National Road RN4, Antananarivo-Mahajanga in the district of Ankazobe is located the Ambohitantely National Park, which is the only protected area in Analamanga. A large stretch of natural forests still remains in the surroundings. The preservation of the Reserve is of primary due to slash and burn practice since a considerable part is threatened. In spite of this threat, the park still contains numerous vegetation species such as the endemic palm tree: the “Dypsis decipiens “. Diverse types of animals also live and are sheltered within the reserve which include the Eulemur fulvus and other nocturnal lemurs.  

EAST

Andasibe region is not far from the Capital, specifically, located in Alaotra Mangoro. With a total surface of 154 km², the park comprises the Analamazaotra Indri special Reserve and the National Park of Mantadia Analamazaotra (Périnet); both are protected areas.

With a tropical atmosphere, Andasibe Park shelters an exceptional biodiversity for many types of local species to develop and live freely such as the boa manditra which is the biggest chameleon of the Island, also more than 100 bird species and lemurs like the Indri Indri, 13 other lemurs are found there.

Masoala is the wettest and largest special reserve of Madagascar associated with Nosy Mangabe Special Reserve. It is found in the province of Antsiranana. 
​Masoala is a particular area as the edge of its forest meets the sea which is not that common in other regions of Madagascar. It houses the greatest density of animal species in the entire Island and even in the world as it comprises for example around 3,001 fish species, other numerous kinds of lemurs such as the aye-aye which is the highlighted species within the park and specimens like small frogs or the Leaf-tailed gecko, a strange lizard which thanks to its disguise melts perfectly into the background. The park has at the same time beautiful beaches and amazing rainforests, coastal forests, mangrove forests and flooded forests which are parts of the Park’s beauty.

North Mananara is classified among the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and is found 250 km north of Tamatave, in Analanjirofo region. It is particular for its coral riffs which compose the marine area and its rainforests constituting the terrestrial one. 

This beautiful mix of both tropical and costal atmosphere presents the wealth of the park’s ecosystem. On the one hand, tropical rainforests are home to diverse mammals such as the Indri, the aye-aye or the brown mouse lemur and other types of fauna. On the other hand, the marine reserve which extends around 1000km² holds a variety of marine animals as the humpback whale, over 180 kinds of fish and even dugongs.

Zahamena National Park is situated in Antanandava, 70 km northwest of Tamatave, a park with a sub-humid climate and a rich biodiversity. Its relief is uneven and its surface extends around 643 km². In terms of tourist attraction, Zahamena shelters one of its symbolic animal species: theDiademed sifaka lemur, but also the Lake Alaotra bamboo lemur and other endemic animal species. On the way to your trek you will discover the natural pool of Bemoara as well as the famous Alaotra Lake.

SOUTH

Andohahela Park is a network which covers an area of 760km2 and is made up of dense humid forests. It is situated on the national road RN13, 40 km northwest of Fort-Dauphin. Protected since 1939, Andohahela Park comprises a wonderful biodiversity of rich fauna and flora, and is a sanctuary for diverse endemic animals like the Verreaux’s Sifakas represent the Park. Spiny forests also make part of this rich ecosystem.

Tsimanampetsotsa is located approximately 275km south of Toliara and 950 km south of Antananarivo on the National road RN10 to Faux Cap. Its sacred lake which extends about 456,000 hectares is called « lake without dolphins » which means without fish due to its salinity. This lack of fish does not prevent diverse birds from landing in the area of the lake, different species which include the stars of the park: « the flamingos ».

A National Park accessible to visitors since 2006, Kirindy Mitea lies over 70 km south from Morondava and is located near Belo sur Mer in the Menabe region. It comprises 11 mammal species, which encompasses the most numerous lemur species in the whole world like the Dancing Verraux sifaka, ring-tailed lemur, red-tailed sportive lemur, 10 species of amphibians, more than 20 species of reptiles, 90 species of butterflies and birds including the pink flamingos. It has been classified among the new reserves of the UNESCO Biosphere. On the one hand, we can notice the sandy aspect of the park: with sand dunes. On the other hand, it has its thorny forests, mangroves and other types of forests.

Also known as Cap VOHIMENA, the Special Reserve of Cap Sainte Marie is located 420 km from Toliara. What specify this reserve are the protected radiant and spider tortoises. Between July and November, whales are also visible to be admired. Cap Sainte Marie is characterized by its spectacular cliffs and its habitats of spiny bush, tiny vegetation and other different flora and fauna specimens which make the Reserve a unique one.

The park of Zombitse is located on the national road RN7, in the region of Atsimo Andrefana, 841km from Antananarivo, which means 17 hours by car. In other ways, 147 km from Toliara and 360 km from Fianarantsoa. With a hot and dry tropical climate, Zombitse is unique for its famous bird watching activity by which numerous ornithologists and birdwatchers can admire fantastical species such as Couas, Appert’s tetraka, Sakalava Weaver that most of them are endemic to the park. This park is home to the greatest population of birds in the Island, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

SOUTH-EAST

Known for its Jurassic landscape, Isalo National Park is one of the most attractive sites of Madagascar. This network is specifically found 250 km from Toliara in the surroundings of Ranohira. What really makes Isalo so famous is its window at dusk in which the sunset appears like in a window frame, this is a spectacular moment that most of visitors are waiting for. Apart from that, the park comprises a natural swimming pool, spectacular canyons: the famous “canyons of The Makis and Rats” and also the circuit leading to the Pachypodium rosulatum, also known as the Elephant’s foot plant, which is the iconic local plant within the Park. Isalo Park also shelters a great variety of animal species which includes fossa, 14 nocturnal lemurs as the Western fat-tailed dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus medius), 35 reptile species, frogs and more than 75 kinds of birds.

Ranomafana National Park extends over 415km2, next to the National Road RN7, 60 km north from Fianarantsoa. The park is one of the areas of the Island with a great stretch of moist dense forests. It has been established in 1991 and is home to a great variety of animal species such as lemurs, especially the « golden bamboo lemur » which is threatened with extinction, around 115 bird species and many other animal species. Ranomafana means « hot water » as there are natural pools and springs found in that area.

Andringitra National Park is found in the province of Fianarantsoa in the south of Madagascar; specifically 47 km south of Ambalavao. It possesses natural hotspots and massifs to climb such as the Tsaranoro massif which is the most visited one in the park. Andringitra also comprises the second highest summit of Madagascar: Peak Boby and shelters almost100 different species of birds, 50 species of mammals and even more which includes 13 of lemurs such as the ring tailed lemur, other species of amphibians and endemic plants.

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