Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GETTING THERE AND AWAY
The main entrance to this reserve is on the east side at
Mahamasina on RN6, 108km south of Antsiranana. By
taxi-brousse
it is about three hours
from Ambanja or 2½ hours from Antsiranana. There is a park office near the trailhead,
from where it is a couple of hours' walk into the reserve.
There are two other gateways, but a 4x4 is required to access them: the southwest entry
point is near Amboandriky, and the northwest one (not reachable in the rainy season) is at
Matsaborimanga.
ORGANISEDTOURS
ItisnotdifficulttodoAnkaranaindependently,providedyouhave
your own tent or settle for a day visit only, but most visitors prefer to let a local tour op-
erator take care of the logistics. Levels of organisation and comfort vary considerably, so
your choice will depend on your budget. Any Antsiranana-based tour operator can arrange
an all-inclusive camping visit.
PERMITS AND GUIDES
A permit for Ankarana may be purchased at the entrance or
alternatively from the National Parks office in Antsiranana or Tana. See
Click Here
for
permit prices. Guides are compulsory and can be found at the park office in Mahamasina.
Guide fees range from 12,000Ar to 30,000Ar per circuit.
WHERE TO STAY
Outside the park
Ankarana Lodge
(3 bungalows & 7 rooms) 82 225 99;
m
032 04 908 10;
e
info@ankaranalodge.com
;
www.ankarana-lodge.com
. Located 1km from Mahamasina,
this brand new hotel has dbl rooms & large shelters with luxury tents with shared facilities
as well as en-suite bungalows. See ad after page 408. €€€€
Relais de l'Ankarana
(6 bungalows)
m
032 02 222 94;
e
ank-
arana_lerelais@yahoo.fr
;
www.relaisdelankarana.unblog.fr
. Situated 1km north of Ma-
hamasina, this hotel is popular with tour operators so advance booking is essential. Quite
simple but comfortable & reliable. €€€
Ankarana Village
(6 bungalows) Mahamasina. Pretty dbl & trpl bungalows with
electricity & en-suite cold shower; communal toilet. €€
Chez Robert/Tonton
(17 rooms) Ambatomitsangana (10 km off RN6). Palm-thatch
pavilion with dining & lounge space, simple rooms & shared toilets but no running water.
Independent travellers can catch a
taxi-brousse
from Ambilobe to Antsaravibe (only de-
pendable May-Nov); get out at Maromena & walk the last 2km. €€
