Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PARC NATIONAL DE L'ANKARANA
Best time to visit
June to December, when both the eastern and western parts of
the park are accessible (the west is cut off in the rainy season).
Key highlights
Dark-grey
tsingy
(limestone pinnacle formations) and magnifi-
cent caves.
Wildlife
Bats, birds and lemurs.
Habitats
Dry deciduous forest.
Gateway towns
Mahamasima
Transport options
Taxi-brousse to Mahamasima (between Ambilobe and
Diego), or private vehicle.
Things you should know
Most lakes and rivers are sacred in Ankarana, so
bathing and swimming are not permitted. Bring a torch for visiting the caves.
Guides are compulsory.
Park Fees & Guides
The park's
headquarters
( 7.30am-4pm) is located at the eastern entrance of the park in
the village of Mahamasina on the RN6.
Entry
permits
(per 1/2/3 days Ar25,000/ 37,000/40,000) and
guides
(Ar25,000-50,000
for up to 5 people, depending on the circuit), which are compulsory, must be arranged here.
There are no park offices at the western entrance of Ankarana so make sure you make all
arrangements in Mahamasina.
Wildlife
The dry
tsingy
are full of strangely shaped succulents such as Euphorbia and Pachypodium,
whiletheshelteredinterveningcanyonsarefilledwithleafycassias,figs,baobabsandother
trees typical of dry deciduous forest.
Of the area's more than 10 species of lemurs, the most numerous are crowned, Sanford's
and northern sportive lemurs. Tenrecs and ring-tailed mongooses are also common, the lat-
ter particularly around campsites where they come in search of food (make sure you pack
everything away).
Over 90 species of birds have been identified in the reserve, including the orange-
and-white kingfisher, crested
coua
, Madagascan fish eagle, crested wood ibis and banded
kestrel. Many of the park's guides are keen birders and will relish the opportunity to tell
you about them.
Fourteen of Madagascar's 33 species of bats live here, of which you're bound to see at
least half a dozen (no vampires!) in the park's numerous caves. And finally, one animal
you'reverylikelytosee,eventhoughyou'dprobablyrathernot,isthescorpion:theythrive
in Ankarana, living under rocks and logs. To make sure that you find them rather than them
