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Family Wildlife Adventures Website

Madagascar ~ Deciduous Forests

Ankarafantsika National Park (Ampijoroa)

This prime example of tropical dry deciduous forest, combined with a lake harbouring Nile crocodiles and endangered Madagascar fish eagles, contains many other rare, endemic birds including Van Dam’s vanga, sickle-billed vanga and red-capped coua.  Reptiles are plentiful including iguanids, fish-scaled gecko and spear-nosed snake. Seven species of lemur inhabit the area, and Jersey Zoo’s exemplary Angonoka Project is located here, protecting the ploughshare tortoise, rarest in the world. 

Ankarana National Park

A massif of sharply-eroded karst limestone pinnacles (tsingy) with sunken dry deciduous forests containing a high density of primates, the reserve boasts beautiful lakes, underground rivers, sinkholes (cenotes) and caves with evidence of ancient civilisations,  and the world’s only cave-dwelling crocodiles. This is a park for the adventurous who accept camping and simple hut accommodation, and enjoy hiking through varied scenery encountering wildlife like crowned lemur, Sanford’s brown lemur, northern sportive lemur, big headed gecko and two species of leaf tailed gecko.  Over half of the 24 bat species in Madagascar roost within Ankarana. Access can be difficult in wetter months, although wildlife viewing can be rewarding at such times.

Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park

A World Heritage Site only accessible to the public since 1998, this tsingy offers an other-worldly experience. Visitors are surrounded by tall limestone pinnacles, some over 45m (150 feet) high, and can enter sunken dry deciduous forest harbouring unusual flora and fauna.  Plants such as aloe, pachypodium and delonix cling to the jagged rocks.  Twelve species of lemur exist amidst the sunken forests, lakes and mangrove swamps. Excursions may involve walking, scrambling, climbing and caving over and under some wonderfully dramatic landscape.  Peaceful exploration of the nearby Manambolo River gorges is possible by pirogue.  Sixteen species of bat live in the area, and bird life on the river is plentiful, including the Madagascar fish eagle. As well as being a place of strong fady (taboo), the locals believe the prehistoric inhabitants of Madagascar, known as Vazimba, inhabited the region.  A tomb with apparent Vazimba skeletons can be seen high up the sides of the gorge. 

Kirindy National Park

This dry deciduous forest reserve is claimed to have the greatest density of primates in the world, with eight species of lemur including the world’s smallest primate, the pygmy mouse lemur, and 23 species of other mammals including fosa, the lemurs’ main predator,  often seen near the accommodation area - a rare experience.  Madagascar’s largest rodent, the giant jumping rat (vositse) is only found here, mainly in the wetter months. There are many endangered birds, plentiful reptiles and amphibians including the strange spear-nosed snake, and around 90 species of butterfly. En route to Kirindy is the iconic Avenue des Baobabs featuring the giant baobab, and two more species of the ‘upside down tree’ can be found in the region.  Nearby Bedo Lake holds 35 species of water bird including the endangered Madagascar teal, Madagascar plover, Madagascar heron, and migratory greater and lesser flamingos, as well as big-headed turtle.

Andringitra National Park

A spectacular and biodiverse reserve with an altitude range of 500 to 2,658 metres and mountainous outcrops of ancient Precambrian granite, waterfalls, lakes and unusual vegetation. Pic Boby, Madagascar's second highest mountain, is a tough climb, but there are other less challenging trails through some magnificent scenery and habitats, including lowland forest, high humid tropical forest, sclerophyll and bamboo forest, bush and heathland.  It has much endemic flora and over 100 species of birds, as well as over 50 mammal species including mountain-adapted ring tailed lemurs with thick coats. The climate ranges from humid tropical in the lowland rainforests to below freezing at altitude – indeed, it is the only place in Madagascar where snow has been recorded. 

Isalo National Park

Famed for its stunning sandstone runiforme scenery, strange plants, canyon-dwelling lemurs and pandanus palms, the Isalo massif rises from the flat Horombe plateau offering wonderful hiking through impressive gorges, canyons and forested areas of fire-resistant tapia on which the endemic Malagasy silk worm feeds (harvested for centuries to weave expensive burial shrouds).  Natural oases and waterfalls are encountered for refreshing swims in stunning surroundings. Unique flora abounds, such as the ‘elephant’s foot’ or pachypodium and the locally endemic feather palm.

Three species of diurnal lemur (including ring-tailed and Verreaux’s sifaka), Oustalet’s chameleon, spiny tailed Oplurus lizards and the multicoloured rainbow burrowing frog can all be seen here. Birds include Benson’s rock-thrush and Madagascar kestrel.

Hotel Jardin Du Roy

Inspiringly designed and luxurious, the  hotel utilises beautiful stonework throughout.  There is a large swimming pool in a lovely natural setting and a wonderful restaurant offering beautifully presented food and attentive service.

Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park

Normally included as a short stop between Isalo and Tulear, the forest of Zombitse-Vohibasia is in a transition zone between dry deciduous and spiny forest habitats. Birders will appreciate seeing Appert’s greenbul, found nowhere else, giant, Coquerel’s and olive-capped couas, as well as various vanga species.