Ankarafantsika National Park
Ankarafantsika National Park is a 135,000 ha national park located approximately 115 km from Mahajunga in north west Madagascar
Biodiversity
The park primarily consists of deciduous dry forest containing eight species of lemur including:
- Coquerel’s sifaka (Propithecus coquereli – diurnal)
- Mongoose lemur (Eulemur mongoz – cathemeral)
- Brown lemur (Eulemur fulvus – cathemeral)
- Grey mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus – nocturnal)
- Golden-brown mouse lemur (Microcebus ravelobensis – nocturnal)
- Fat-tailed dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus medius – nocturnal)
- Western woolly lemur (Avahi occidentalis – nocturnal)
- Milne-Edwards’s sportive lemur (Lepilemur edwardsi – nocturnal)
Meet the fossa
This is the largest carnivore and top predator native to Madagascar, although is similar to felines it is more related to the mongoose. Growing up to 6 feet long from nose to tail tip, and weighing up to 26 pounds, and is known to feed on lemurs and many other creatures from wild pigs to mice.
Ankarafantsika National Park is one of the last places where you can observe the fossa in its natural habitat.
Visiting Ankarafantsika
The park offers a diverse range of experiences including excursions through the deciduous dry forest, boat tours of the sacred Lake Ravelobe, a visit to a nearby Lavaka, and opportunities to interact with the local Sakalava culture.
A journey through the forest gives fantastic opportunities to see many of the regional endemic species such as the golden-brown mouse lemur (Microcebus ravelobensis), Schlegel’s asity (Philepitta schlegeli), or Van Dam’s vanga (Xenopirostris damii).
Most lemurs are readily spotted on trails originating from near the park office at Ampijora. In fact many species can be found bouncing across the trees surrounding the parking lot.
Boat tours offer opportunities to see crocodiles, the Madagascar fish eagle (Haliaeetus vociferoides), and other many other bird species. The lavaka tour takes you to see an impressive erosion scar that looks luminescent with its varying shades of red, yellow, and white. The tour to the lavaka provides a fantastic opportunity to see additional bird species such as the Madagascar bee-eater (Merops superciliosus) and peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus).
Circuits and guide fees
| Circuit name | Interest | Duration | Difficulty | Pax number | Price (Aryary) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIG BUCKLE | Lemurs, birds, reptiles, precious wood, orchids, panoramic view, African savannah, canyon. Combination of COQUERELI and CANYON CIRCUITS | 02 h – 04 h | Average | 1 – 4 5 – 6 | 65,000 85,000 |
| SOURCE OF LIFE | Cultural site, crocodile, water birds, fishing eagle, reptiles, lemurs, various plants, lake landscape Combination of CIRCUITS: LAKE TOUR and BAOBAB | 01 h – 03 h | easy | 1-4 5-6 | 50,000 70,000 |
| BOAT TOUR | Nil’s crocodile, aquatic birds such as egret, heron, wild duck, the famous Madagascar fishing eagle, history of Ravelobe lake | 01 h Boat trip on the 23 Ha Ravelobe Lake | 1 – 2 For one more person | 40,000 20,000/ pers |
|
| BOTANICAL CIRCUIT | Birds, reptiles, lemurs, various plants, Pachypodium Combination of RETENDRIKA and PACHYPODIUM CIRCUITS | 02 h – 04 h | average | 1-4 5-6 | 65,000 85,000 |
| VIEWPOINT CIRCUIT | Birds, reptiles, various plants, panoramic view of the lac Ravelobe HIGH CIRCUIT OF THE RAVELOBE LAKE | 03 h | difficult | 1-4 5-6 | 50,000 65,000 |
Where to stay
Madagascar National Park operates three lodging options within the park. There is a campground with a kitchen space, shared bathrooms, and showers. There is a collection of gite’s with shared bathrooms, showers, and electricity available.
There are private bungalows on the shore of Lake Ravelobe with electricity, private bathrooms and showers. There are two private restaurants near the park office.
Acommodation fees
| Product – services | Description | Price (Ariary)/night |
|---|---|---|
| Bungalow | Capacity: 4 persons (1 bed king-size and 1 twin bed), private terrace and sanitary (without hot water) | 100,000 |
| Stopover | double or twin room with shared bathroom | 35,000 |
| Igloo tent | Tent for 2 persons, rented with mattress and draperies | 10,000 |
| Mattress | One more mattress with drapery | 5,000 |
We thanks the following organizations for providing the information used here
