Madagascar National Parks, Safaris and Nature Reserves

(Madagascar, MG, Africa)



Andringitra National Park (Parc National d'Andringitra) photographMadagascar's attempts to conserve its unique biodiversity seem to have paid off as more and more visitors search for unusual eco-tourism destinations around the world. Madagascar certainly fits the bill.

Its national parks and reserves are home to 90% of the world's lemur species and considerable numbers of bird species, making them popular with both bird watchers and animal lovers. The parks are also home to many other curious creatures, including chameleons and brightly coloured exotic birds, as well as thousands of plant species - around 80% of these are unique to the island, including orchids and baobabs.

An enthusiastic environmental movement in the middle of the 1980s resulted in the creation of Madagascar's very first national parks soon after, such as south-easterly Ranomafana. More followed (Andohahela, Andringitra and Isalo), along with some equally important reserves, such as the Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve, which was officially founded in 1997.


Different view of Andringitra National Park (Parc National d'Andringitra)

Amber Mountain National Park (Parc National Montagne d'Ambre)

Address: Diana, Madagascar, MG, Africa
Located on the northern side of the country and within the Diana region, the Amber Mountain National Park lies roughly 1,000 km / 620 miles to the north of Antananarivo, where it boasts a particularly diverse landscape and selection of wildlife. Offering good access, the park comes with a series of crater lakes and three very impressive waterfalls, as well as a high concentration of wildlife.

Aerial image of the Andohahela National Park (Parc National Andohahela)Visitors will find plenty of knowledgeable guides to hand, and those wishing to stay here can do so at the park's lodge. The nearby village of Sakaramy is worth stopping by.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Kirindy Mitea National Park (Parc National Kirindy Mitea)

Address: Menabe, Madagascar, MG, Africa
The Kirindy Mitea National Park sits within the westerly Menabe region, being bounded on its western side by the Mozambique Channel and covering just under 180,000 acres / 72,850 hectares. The landscape here is quite varied, encompassing beaches, dunes, secluded bays, lush tropical forests, mangroves and baobab trees. Living here are several different species of lemurs (red-tailed, ring-tailed and pale fork-marked lemurs), as well as flamingos and approximately 50 other bird species. Many appealing towns and villages are spread along the coastline of Kirindy Mitea, such as Ambararata, Ankevo, Ankiliabo, Antsamaka, Antserananbondro, Belo sur Mer, Manometimay and Marofihitsa.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Andringitra National Park (Parc National d'Andringitra)

Address: Ambalavao, Madagascar, MG, Africa
The many hiking trails that run through the Parc National d'Andringitra take visitors past waterfalls, caves, forests, paddy fields and the granite peaks towering over both the Sahanambo Valley and the Namoly Valley. In total there are more than 100 km / 62 miles of pathways, with those feeling full of energy being able to climb up the Pic Imarivolanitra mountain, which is often known as Pic Boby and boasts the second-tallest peak in the entire country. Keen rock climbers may like to tackle the rock face of the Tsaranoro Massif. As you explore, look out for ring-tailed lemurs and some fascinating plant species, many of which are used for medicinal purposes. Eco-systems found within the park range from mountain forest to lowland rainforest.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Isalo National Park (Parc National Isalo) photo

Isalo National Park (Parc National Isalo)

Address: Ranohira, Madagascar, MG, Africa
Tel: +261 32 44 26116
Roughly 402 km / 250 miles from Antananarivo, in the south of Madagascar, the Isalo National Park is a land of strange natural sandstone formations, deep canyons, lemurs and exotic plant life. The park opened its gates in 1962 and since then, its unique Jurassic period landscape has attracted visitors in their droves - the multitude of trails make it particularly popular with hikers. Whilst the park may not boast quite as many animals as others in the country, the Isalo National Park really shines when it comes to plant life. Around 500 species of plants can be found within its boundaries, including some very rare species of palm and aloe.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Andohahela National Park (Parc National Andohahela)

Address: Near Tolanaro (Fort Dauphin), Madagascar, MG, Africa
Tel: +261 22 92 90485
The Andohahela National Park is located in the south-east of Madagascar and encompasses three different eco-zones. The mountainous eastern part of the park is characterized by tropical rainforest, while in the west are spiny forests. In between the two zones is an area of transition forest. Andohahela ranks top among Madagascar's national parks in terms of biodiversity. As well as 12 species of lemurs, the park is called home by some 50 species of amphibians and 75 species of reptiles.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Ranomafana National Park (Parc National Ranomafana) picture

Ranomafana National Park (Parc National Ranomafana)

Address: Ranomafana, Madagascar, MG, Africa
Tel: +261 33 01 22855
The Ranomafana National Park was opened in 1991 following the discovery of two endangered species of lemur (known as 'hapalemur aureus' and 'hapalemur simus') in forestland near the town of Ranomafana. Situated in the mountainous south-eastern part of Madagascar, the park supports a variety of eco-systems, from lowland rainforest to cloud forest. The entrance at Ambodiamontana is a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Fianarantsoa.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Berenty Nature Reserve (Berenty Reserve Naturelle)

Address: Near Tolanaro (Fort Dauphin), Madagascar, MG, Africa
Fort Dauphin is a good base for visiting the nearby Berenty Nature Reserve. This small private reserve was established in the 1930s and has grown in stature to become one of Madagascar's most popular parks, with almost 10,000 visitors coming to take a stroll along its trails each year. The reserve is home to six lemur species, which are easy to spot amidst the spiny forest and tamarind woodland. This is also a good spot to see some fruit bats.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Tsimanampetsotsa National Park (Parc National Tsimanampetsotsa) image

Tsimanampetsotsa National Park (Parc National Tsimanampetsotsa)

Address: Efoetse, Madagascar, MG, Africa
Tel: +261 32 02 74599
Not far from the south-eastern tip of the country is the Tsimanampetsotsa National Park. The main attraction here is undoubtedly its large saline lake, which provides a habitat for over 100 species of water birds. The best time to see the lake's huge flamingo colonies is between April and December. Other park landmarks include sand dunes along the coastal stretch, numerous caves and a spiny forest plateau, some of which can be reached via hiking trails. The park can be more easily accessed by charter boat or plane than by road.
Open hours: April and November - daily (closed during the rainy season)
Admission: charge

View across Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve (Tsingy de Bemaraha Reserve Naturelle)

Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve (Tsingy de Bemaraha Reserve Naturelle)

Address: Bekopaka, Madagascar, MG, Africa
In the west of Madagascar, the Tsingy Nature Reserve has more bird life than you could ever hope for, as well as ample numbers of lemurs. This extraordinary mineral forest also features a labyrinth of odd limestone formations. Whilst tourists are not allowed to enter the northern part of the park, since this has been designated an Integral Reserve, there's more than enough to see and do elsewhere, including canoe trips and hikes that take you over hanging bridges and into underground caves.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge