#39 Ankarafantsika
The Ankarafantsika national park is located in west Madagascar, south of the city of Mahajanga. The park encompasses 135.000 Ha. The altitude is 80-333 m. The annual rainfall is 1000-1500 mm. The park consists of a limestone massif between the Betsiboka and Mahajamba rivers.
The east and south limits slope straight downward, and the north and west limits slope smoothly into the plains. There are hills, canyons, and lakes. The vegetation consists of dry deciduous forest, some dry scrubland (spiny thicket) in the east, near the Ravelobe lake, north of the road between Antananarivo and Mahajanga.
Some target species are: Milne-edward’s sifaka (Propithecus edwardsi), Mongoose lemur (Eulecmur mongoz),Milne-edwards sportive lemur (Lepilemur edwardsi), Golden-brown mouse lemur (Microcebus ravelobensis), Malagasy striped civet (Fossa fossana), Madagascar fish-eagle (Haliaeetus vociferoides), Humblot’s heron (Ardea humbloti), White-breasted mesite (Mesoenas variegata), Madagascar little grebe (Tachybaptus pelzelnii), Van Dam’s vanga (Xenopirostris damii), Madagascar big-headed turtle (Erymnochelys madagascariensis), Madagascar ground boa (Acrantophis madagascariensis), David’s rosewood (Dalbergia davidii), Elephant foot (Pachypodium ambongense), the medicinal Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), and the critically endangered small tree Tsoala tubiflora.
There are basic bungalows near the park and the nearest basic hotel accomodation is in the villages of Maevatanana and Ambato-Boeni, and more luxury in the city of Mahajanga.
ANJAJAVY RESORT *****
Situated on an isolated peninsula, this resort can only be reached by charter plane or boat. There are 8 luxury bungalows with a beautiful decoration in a stunning garden. It has a excellent restaurant on a beautiful beach, and also a large swimmingpool.
CHOU CHOU **
Situated in the small village of Maevatanana. There are 7 simple rooms and a basic restaurant.
GITE D’AMPIJOROA *
Situated near the entrance of the park. There are 7 simple bungalows with shared shower and toilet. Basic meals can be served.
The Ankarafantsika park is reached along Rn 4 between the capital Antananarivo and Mahajanga, 40 km north-west of the village of Ambato-Boeni, and 120 km south of Mahajanga in the direction of Maevatanana. The entrance is in the village of Ampijoroa.
Interesting things in the Ankarafantsika vicinity: The turtle and tortoise breeding center.
#40 Zazamalala
The small private Zazamalala nature reserve consists of dry deciduous forest and small ponds between a few villages and rice fields. It encompasses 140 Ha and the altitude is 200 m. The annual rainfall is 900 mm. The vegetation consists of dry deciduous forest and pond vegetation.
Some target species are Verreaux’s sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi), Red-fronted lemur (Eulemur rubrifrons), Humblodt’s heron (Ardea humblodti),Oustalet’s giant chameleon (Furcifer oustaleti), Za baobab (Adansonia za), Madagascar palmyra palm (Borassus madagascariensis), rosewood liana (Dalbergia bracheolata).
There is modest lodging possible and a wide choice of hotels in Morondava.
The reserve is easily reached along the Rn 35 between the capital Antananarivo and the city of Morondava, 35 km from the beach.
Interesting things in the Zazamalala area: The botanical garden, the turtle and toirtoise breeding centre (Flat-tail tortoise, Radiated tortoise, Spider tortoise, Madagascar big-headed turtle), the Baobab alley at 35 km.
#41 Kirindy
It was dramatically destroyed duringthe corona pandemic and merely a small part remains. The altitude is 200-300 m.
#42 Andranomena
#43 Tsingy de Bemaraha
The Tsingy de Bemaraha national park is located in west Madagascar, north of the city of Morondava, and east of the town of Antsalova. It comprises a southern part, divided into the small tsingy and the large tsingy, and a northern part, which is a strict reserve, closed to the public. These 2 parts encompass 83.430 Ha, a limestone massif between the Betsiboka and Mahajamba rivers.
There are high limestone tops and ridges, caves, ravines, hills, a lake and the Manambola river. The altitude is 95-741 m. The annual rainfall is about 1487 mm.
The vegetation consists of dry scrubland, woodland, and dry deciduous forest.
Some target species are: Cleese’s woolly lemur (Avahi cleesei), Decken’s sifaka (Propithecus deckeni), Randrianasolo’s sportive lemur (Lepilemur randrianasoli), Western fork-crowned dwarf lemur (Phaner furcifer pallescens), Western ring-tailed mongoose (Galidia elegans occidentalis), Madagascar fish-eagle (Haliaeetus vociferoides), Western greater vasa parrot (Coracopsis vasa drouardi), Nocturnal yellow-banded black tree snake (Stenophis citrinus), Monky ladder liana (Entada sp.), Madagascar palm (Pachypodium lamerei), Honey tree (Pleiokirkia leandrii), Cladogelonium madagascariense with its flattened photosynthetic green branches.
The nearest hotel accomodation is in the villages of Bekopaka and Andadoany.
SOLEIL DES TSINGY ****
Situated on a hill with a view on the Manambolo river, near the park. There are 17 large and beautiful design bungalows with a luxury bathroom, a nice restaurant, and a large swimmingpool.
ORCHIDEE DU BEMARAHA ***
Situated on a large piece of land near the park. There are 54 Bungalows with bathroom, a restaurant and a swimmingpool.
GRAND HOTEL DE TSINGY ***
Situated on a large piece of land near the park. There are 16 bungalows, a bar, restaurant, and a swimmingpool.
OLYMPE DE BEMARAHA ***
Situated near the park. There are 20 bungalows in a garden. A bar, restaurant, and a swimmingpool are available.
The entrance of the Tsingy de Bemaraha is located 185 km north of the city of Morondava and 2 rivers have to be crossed. The park is open to the public during the dry season, generally between May and September.
Intresting things in the Tsingy de Bemaraha vicinity: The lake, the Manambolo gorge with its caves, the tops of the limestone rocks.
#44 Tsingy de Namoroka
The tsingy de Namoroka national park is located in the Boeny region of north-west Madagascar, adjacent to the Baie de Baly national park, South of the city of Soalala. The park encompasses 22.227 Ha. The altitude is 71-227 m. The annual rainfall is 1000-1150 mm.
There is a limestone plateau wit eroded rocks (tsingy formations), and canyons, caves, underground streams, savanna, and swamps. The vegetation consists of dry grassland, scrubland, woodland, and forest.
Some target species are: Decken’s sifaka (Propithecus deckeni), Western bamboo lemur (Hapalemur occidentalis), Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis), Northern giant mouse lemur (Mirza zaza), Blue coua (Coua caerulea), Schlegel’s asity (Philepitta schlegeli), Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), Leaf chameleon (Brookesia bonsi), Betsileo golden frog (Mantella betsileo), Mocquard’s burrowing frog (Scaphiophryne calcarata), Elephant foot (Pachypodium ambongense), White rosewood (Dalbergia greveana), and the endangered tapiaka bush (Ormocarpopsis calcicola) with yellow flowers.
There is no hotel accomodation nearby.
The entrance is located near the village of Vilanandro, between Soalala and Andranomavo, 50 km south of Soalala. The park can be reached with a four-wheel drive car, but there are no facilities and access is difficult.
#45 Kirindy Mitea
The Kirindy Mitea national park is located in south-west Madagascar, along the Mozambique Channel, south of the city of Morondava. The park encompasses 7.220 Ha. The altitude is 0-300 m. The annual rainfall is about 800 mm. It has hills and coastline. The vegetation consists of dry scrubland, woodland, and dry deciduous forest.
Some target species are: Verreaux’s sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi), Ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta), Coquerel’s dwarf lemur (Mirza coquereli), Western mongoose (Eupleres goudotii major), Grandidier’s striped mongoose (Galidictis grandidieri), Mikea shrew tenrec (Microgale jenkinsae), Bat hawk (Machaerhamphus alcinus), Western greater vasa parrot (Coracopsis vasa drouardi), Crab plover (Dromas ardeola), Three-banded plover (Charadrius tricollaris bifrontatus), Running coua (Coua cursor), Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), Fony baobab (Adansonia ruprostipa), Madagascar palmyra palm (Borassus madagascariensis), Sony (Didierea madagascariensis), Madagascar mahogany (Khaya madagascariensis), Spiny bottle tree (Pachypodium rutenbergianum), and the endangered tree Givotia madagascariensis, excessively logged to make dug-out boats.
The nearest hotel accomodation is in the towns of Manja and Belo sur Mer.
ENTRE MER ***
Situated in the village of Belo sur Mer along the beach of the Mozambique channel. There are 5-6 large and comfortable wooden bungalows with a porch roof and a restaurant overlooking the beach.
The entrance of Kirindy Mitea is 70 km south of Morondava and can be reached by car via Manja, or by boat from Belo sur Mer. The direct car trip from Morondava is sometimes possible in the dry season, but implies passing a river without bridge.
#46 Baie de Baly
The Baie de Baly national park is located in west Madagascar, along the Mozambique channel, south of the city of Mahajanga, north-east of the Tsingy de Namoroka national park. The park encompasses 57.418 Ha. The altitude is 0-400 m. The annual rainfall is about 1000 mm. It consists of eroded limestone hills around the bay, canyons, lakes, rivers, savanna, and marshes.
The vegetation consists of dry deciduous forest, bamboo thicket, scrubland, and mangrove forest.
Some target species are: Decken’s sifaka (Propithecus deckeni), Western bamboo lemur (Hapalemur occidentalis), Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis), Western fork-crowned dwarf lemur (Phaner furcifer pallescens), Madagascar fish-eagle (Haliaeetus vociferoides), Bernier’s teal (Anas bernieri), Humblot’s heron (Ardea humbloti), Plough-shear tortoise (Asterochelys yniphora), Madagascar ground boa (Acrantophis madagascariensis), Day gecko (Phelsuma klemmeri), Grey mangrove (Avicennia marina), King’s wood (Baudouinia fluggeiformis), and the endangered tree Millettia nathaliae.
The nearest hotel accomodation is in the town of Soalala. The entrance is located 150 km south of the city of Mahajanga.
#47 Kasijy
The Kasijy special nature reserve is located in the Betsiboka region of west Madagascar, south of the city of Mahajanga, and about 20 km north-west of the village of Bemonto. The area encompasses 19.800 Ha. The annual rainfall is about 1679 mm.
There are 2 forested karst outcrops, the Kasijy massif and the small Analamajera massif. There are also many streams and some open water, the Andranomaitso river in the north, the Mahavavy river in the east, and the Mahiarere river to the south. Most rivers run dry in the dry season.
The vegetation consists of savanna in the South, degraded land and semi-deciduous and dry forest elsewhere.
Some target species are: Decken’s sifaka (Propithecus deckenii), Crowned sifaka (Propithecus coronatus), Rufous brown lemur (Eulemur rufus), Western bamboo lemur (Hapalemur occidentalis), Red-tailed sportive lemur (Lepilemur ruficaudatus), Gray mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus), Henst’s goshawk (Accipiter henstii), Coquerel’s coua (Coua coquereli), Giant coua (Coua gigas), Schlegel asity (Philepitta schlegeli), Brygoo’s leaf chameleon (Brookesia brygooi), Za baobab (Adansonia za).
There is basic hotel accomodation in the village of Kandreho, and lots of choice in the city of Mahajanga. The reserve can be reached in the dry season with a four-wheel drive car from Ambato-Boeny, but permits should be arranged in the capital Antananarivo. The reserve is closed between December and April.
#48 Ambohijanahary
The Ambohijanahary special nature reserve is located in west Madagascar, between the towns of Tsiroanomandidy and Maintirano. The area encompasses 24.800 Ha. The altitude is 600-1800 m. The annual rainfall is 1000-1500 mm. It is situated on the western slopes of the Bongolava mountain range.
The vegetation consists of dry plants and succulents, dry shrubs and trees.
Some target species are: Decken’s sifaka (Propithecus deckenii), Eastern woolly lemur (Avahi laniger), Bush pig (Potamochoerus larvatus), Northern ring-tailed mongoose (Galidia elegans), Lesser long-tailed shrew tenrec (Microgale longicaudata), Anthocleista madagascariensis, Brachylaena merana, Ocotea cymosa and O. auriculiformis.
There is no infrastructure in and near the park and no nearby lodging options.
The reserve can be reached by four-wheel drive car along the road from Tsiroanomandidy to Maintirano.
Notes: There are huge seasonal weather differences with dry streams (toward the Manambolo river in the South) by the end of the dry season, and excessive rain between January and March.
#49 Maningoza
The Maningoza special reserve is located in the Melaky region in west Madagascar, east of the village of Antsalova. The area encompasses 7.900 Ha. The altitude is 0-800 m. The annual rainfall is about 1100 mm. The fast flowing Maningoza river flows through the reserve.
The vegetation consists of some humid and predominantly dry decidious forest, savanna, and bamboo.
Some target species are: Verreaux’s sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi), Brown lemur (Eulemur fulvus), Schlegel’s asity (Philepitta schlegeli), Giant coua
(Coua gigas), Coquerel’s coua (Coua coquereli), Sickle-billed vanga (Falculea palliata), Sakalava weaver (Ploceus sakalava), Madagascar palmyra palm (Borassus madagascariensis).
There is hotel accomodation in the village of Besalampy.
The reserve can only be reached in the dry season by boat along the Manalbolo river.