Madagascar’ main trekking spots

Isalo National Park

• Trekking Description: Located in southwest Madagascar, Isalo National Park spans over 190,000 acres of Jurassic-era sandstone massif, featuring plateaus, canyons, gorges, and pinnacles. Hiking is the main activity, with trails ranging from a few hours to several days. Key routes include the Piscine Naturelle Trail (leading to a limpid pool surrounded by pandanus trees), Namaza Circuit (with swimming holes and Cascades des Nymphes), Canyon des Makis et Rats (highlighting Bara cultural heritage with sacred tombs and royal village ruins), and the Portuguese Cave Route (a 4-day trek for fit hikers, passing through Sahanafa Forest). Visitors must hire a local guide, available at the park office in Ranohira.
• Local Interactions and Culture: Hiring guides and porters at Ranohira fosters direct interaction with locals. Cultural experiences include visiting the sacred tombs and ruins of the Bara tribe along the Canyon des Makis et Rats route, including a palace wall, royal baths, and burial places. The Maison de l’Isalo museum in Zahavola (Maison de l’Isalo – Lonely Planet) offers further cultural heritage insights. The Malagasy people are known for their hospitality, with guides sharing extensive knowledge of local culture and nature.
• Wildlife: Isalo is teeming with endemic wildlife, hosting 14 lemur species (e.g., ring-tailed lemur, Verreaux’s sifaka, Coquerel’s giant mouse lemur, red-tailed sportive lemur, nocturnal primates). Other mammals include fossa, two tenrec species, and two civet species. Reptiles and amphibians feature the white-lipped bright-eyed frog, Madagascar boa, and Malagasy rainbow frog. Over 80 bird species, with 27 endemic, include the famous Benson’s rock thrush. Plants like the elephant’s foot plant and Aloe isaloensis add to the biodiversity.
• Difficulties: The Portuguese Cave Route requires high fitness levels, spanning 4 days. The dry, tropical climate often sees temperatures above 86°F (30°C), with little rain, necessitating sunscreen, sunglasses, light clothing, and plenty of water. The park can get busy during peak seasons (July-August and December), requiring advance booking for accommodations like Le Jardin du Roy (Le Jardin du Roy), Relais de la Reine (Relais de la Reine), and Isalo Rock Lodge (Isalo Rock Lodge).
• Interests: Scenic views of the sandstone massif, natural swimming holes, and lemur encounters are highlights. Camping options at Namaza and Analatapia campgrounds offer shared facilities and barbecue areas, with nearby hotels providing excursions like horseback riding and rock climbing. The park’s diverse ecosystems and responsible travel practices, supported by trained guides, enhance the experience.

Andringitra National Park

• Trekking Description: Covering 31,160 hectares in the Haute Matsiatra region, 47 km south of Ambalavao, Andringitra features altitudes from 700 m to 2,658 m at Imarivolanitra (Pic Boby), the second-highest peak in Madagascar. Mean rainfall is 1,500–2,500 mm, with snowfall possible and temperatures as low as -8°C. Rivers like Ampanasana, Iantara, Menarahaka, and Zomandao crisscross the park. Trails include the challenging ascent to Pic Boby, a 3-day trek, and shorter circuits, with well-maintained paths and steps on difficult sections.
• Local Interactions and Culture: The park is inhabited by three ethnic groups: the Bara people (south, west) graze cattle, the Bara Haronga (east) grow rice, and the Betsileo people (north) practice irrigation for rice cultivation. Hiring professional guides from Ambalavao, costing up to €150 pp for a 3-day hike including camping and food, facilitates cultural exchange and supports local economies.
• Wildlife: Over 1,000 plant species, 100 bird species, 55 frog species, and more than 50 mammal species, including 13 lemur species (notably thicker fur ring-tailed lemurs), thrive here. Viewing times include daytime and nighttime, with specific species like golden bamboo lemurs and aye-ayes active at different hours.
• Difficulties: High altitude and variable weather, including snowfall, pose challenges. The rugged terrain, with narrow valleys and steep inclines, requires good fitness, especially for longer treks. Camping is limited to designated sites, with basic facilities at Camp Catta and Tsara Soa Guest House in Tsaranoro.
• Interests: Part of the Rainforests of the Atsinanana World Heritage Site (inscribed 2007, endangered 2010, criteria (ix), (x), ref 1257-012), Andringitra offers biologically diverse trekking routes. With 3,436 visitors in 2011, it’s a scenic destination for hikers, featuring granite formations, deep valleys, and waterfalls, ideal for nature lovers and botanists.

Ranomafana National Park

• Trekking Description: Located in southeastern Madagascar, Ranomafana spans 41,600 hectares of tropical rainforest at elevations from 800 to 1,200 m. It has seven hiking trails varying in length from 10 to 20 km (6.2 to 12.4 mi), offering birdwatching, lemur viewing, and waterfall seeing. Talatakely, accessible off Route 25, has well-defined paths and stairs but can be slippery when wet. Longer treks, like Soarano and Varijatsy, are advised for wet forest trekking, lasting 2-3 days.
• Local Interactions and Culture: A local guide is mandatory, providing opportunities for interaction with knowledgeable locals. Specialist guides can be arranged through Centre ValBio for tailored excursions, including kayaking or canoeing. The park’s name, derived from “rano mafana” (“hot water”), reflects the nearby thermal springs in Ranomafana town, culturally significant for relaxation. Centre ValBio, created in 2003 by Stony Brook University, supports community health, education, environmental arts, and reforestation, enhancing local engagement.
• Wildlife: Ranomafana is a biodiversity hotspot, with 90 butterfly species, 112 frog species, 22 lizard species, 22 snake species, and 118 bird species (30 endemic). It hosts 13 lemur species, including golden bamboo lemur, greater bamboo lemur, aye-aye, Milne-Edwards’s sifaka, southern black and white ruffed lemur, Ranomafana grey bamboo lemur, red-bellied lemur, and red-fronted brown lemur (daytime viewing), and nocturnal species like brown mouse lemur, Crossley’s dwarf lemur, Peyrieras’s woolly lemur, Sibree’s dwarf lemur, and small-toothed sportive lemur.
• Difficulties: Paths can be slippery when wet, requiring sturdy shoes. Remote areas, like research sites Vatoharanana, Valohoaka, and Mangevo, maintain bush camp facilities, indicating physical demands for longer treks. The wet season (November-April) brings high rainfall and humidity, with cyclones possible January to March.
• Interests: Birdwatching, lemur viewing, and waterfall seeing are key attractions. Scientific research is facilitated at four main sites (Talatakely, Vatoharanana, Valohoaka, Mangevo), with Talatakely accessible to tourists for Prolemur simus viewing. The hot springs pool in Ranomafana adds a relaxing element, and the park’s UNESCO World Heritage status enhances its appeal for conservation-focused travelers.

Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park

• Trekking Description: Located in northwest Madagascar, Tsingy de Bemaraha spans 579 square miles (1,500 square km), centered on Great Tsingy and Little Tsingy, karstic plateaus with limestone needles formed by erosion. The word “tsingy” means “where one cannot walk barefoot,” indicating challenging terrain. Trekking circuits include the Andamozavaky trail (spectacular views of stony pinnacles) and Manambolo gorge trail (requiring canoes for parts), with harnesses and cables often needed for safety due to sharp formations.
• Local Interactions and Culture: Specific cultural interactions are limited, but the term “tsingy” reflects local Malagasy linguistic heritage. The park’s UNESCO World Heritage status highlights its cultural and geological significance, with potential for engaging with local communities in nearby Antsalova and Morafenobe Districts.
• Wildlife: Home to an exceptionally large number of endemic species, including lemurs, birds, and reptiles, adapted to the unique karst environment. Different ecosystems exist at the summit, slope, and base of limestone needles, with species like Von der Decken’s sifakas spotted during hikes.
• Difficulties: The terrain is extremely challenging, with sharp limestone formations that can cut through equipment and flesh, requiring careful navigation. High temperatures and the need for safety equipment, like harnesses, add to the physical demands.
• Interests: The park’s dramatic karst landscape, with “forests” of limestone needles and deep gorges, is a geological wonder. Its high endemism and UNESCO World Heritage Site status (1990) make it a significant destination for biodiversity and geological study, offering thrilling hiking experiences.

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

• Trekking Description: Located 150 km east of Antananarivo, this 155 km² park comprises Analamazaotra (Andasibe) and Mantadia National Parks, with elevations from 800 to 1,260 m. Guided walks are the main activity, with trails varying from easy to difficult, posted at each entrance. Night walks are not possible inside national parks but can be done in adjacent private reserves or along the main road. Circuits include well-paved paths (2-3 hours, up to 3 km) and more rugged trails in Mantadia, lasting 2-3 days for wet forest trekking.
• Local Interactions and Culture: Guided visits to the village of Andasibe offer cultural experiences, providing insight into local life. The park’s accessibility from Antananarivo, a 3-hour drive on Route Nationale 2 (RN 2), facilitates cultural exchange. The Malagasy name “Andasibe” means “big camp,” reflecting its historical significance for early scientists.
• Wildlife: Home to 12 lemur species, including the iconic indri (largest lemur, best seen in the morning), diademed sifaka, mouse lemurs, Goodman’s mouse lemur (discovered in 2005), and nocturnal species like colorful chameleons and frogs. Over 80 amphibians, 50 reptile species (including chameleons and leaf-tailed geckos), and 100 bird species, including the Madagascar wagtail and serpent-eagle, enhance biodiversity.
• Difficulties: The high-altitude rainforest is often cold and wet, with trails getting busy during peak seasons (July, August, December holidays). The wet season (November-April) brings high rainfall and humidity, with cyclones possible January to March. No accommodations around the Mantadia section, requiring planning for longer treks.
• Interests: Primary forest in Mantadia, birdlife, flowering orchids (October-December or January), lemur babies in October and November, and night walks for nocturnal species. Various hiking circuits cater to different fitness levels, with Mantadia offering more exclusive, rugged trails for adventurous hikers.