Ankarafantsika National Park is located in northwestern Madagascar, about 115 km, or two-hours’ drive, from the port city of Mahajanga (= Majunga) along RN4 to Antananarivo. Excursions to Ankarafantsika are easily arranged through hotels in Mahajanga or through Antananarivo-based tour operators.
The Ampijoroa campsite has been upgraded recently and now contains the locally managed Gîte d’ Ampijoroa with comfortable rooms and a restaurant. In addition, more upscale chalets have recently opened at Lac Ravelobe right across the road. A local group (Association Pygargue) offers simple meals to visitors in an open-air restaurant. The three diurnal lemurs that are readily seen at Ankarafantsika are the brown lemur (Eulemur fulvus), the mongoose lemur (Eulemur mongoz), and Coquerel’s sifaka (Propithecus coquereli). Five nocturnal lemurs are also regularly observed during night walks, including the golden-brown mouse lemur (Microcebus ravelobensis), the gray mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus), and the fat-tailed dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus medius). Both Milne-Edwards’ sportive lemur (Lepilemur edwardsi) and western woolly lemur (Avahi occidentalis) can be seen both at night and in their daytime sleeping sites just a few meters above the ground. Ankarafantsika, and especially the Ampijoroa area, is one of the best sites for first-time visitors to Madagascar.
Accommodations are good and lemur-watching is easy. With a little bit of luck one can see all eight lemur species in an afternoon, an evening, and a morning. The mongoose lemur can sometimes be elusive, but only because it is very quiet, and it is important to have a knowledgeable guide to distinguish the two mouse lemur species which can easily be confused by beginning lemur-watchers. What is more, this is really the only site where one is likely to see Microcebus ravelobensis.
The Ampijoroa area within Ankarafantsika is also the site of the world’s most important captive breeding project for endangered Madagascar turtles and tortoises, including the ploughshare tortoise or Angonoka (Asterochelys yniphora), the flat-tailed tortoise or kapidolo (Pyxis planicauda), and the Madagascar big-headed side neck turtle or rare (Erymnochelys madagascariensis). The ploughshare tortoise is one of the most critically endangered tortoises in the world, and this is presently the only breeding site for it outside its natural range. Location
This Madagascar National park is located in north western region- 450 km from Antananarivo and 115 km from Mahajanga. The National Road N°4 crosses through the park.
Wildlife.
Like other parts of Madagascar, Ankarafantsika National Park is home to lemurs and many other species of plants. Eight species of lemurs are recorded in Ankarafantsika: one strict diurnal species, two cathemeral species, five typically nocturnal species of which the famous Microcebus, the smallest in the world.
More than 120 species of birds live in the forest of Ankarafantsika. More than 70 of the birds in the park are endemic to the forests and lake shores. Examples of the birds in the park include the Rufous vanga Schetba rufa which is an endemic bird, Madagascar fish eagle which considered critically endangered species of raptors and the Van Dam Vanga-a rare species of threatened vanga. The best time to go birding in Madagascar is during the rainy season. Lake Ravelobe near the national park entrance is a breeding ground for fish eagles and other water birds in Madagascar. Other birds in the park include the banded Kestrel.
Getting to/from and around Ankarafantsika National Park
Right on the RN4, Ankarafantsika is easily accessible by taxi-brousse from Antananarivo and Mahajunga (Majunga). Jump on any taxi-brousse heading towards Mahajunga (if in Antananarivo 8-9hrs) or towards Antananarivo (if in Mahajunga 2 hrs.) and ask to get off at the park entrance.
If travelling by taxi-brousse, Cotisse Transport is an awesome option to travel to/from Ankarafantsika National Park. The Antananarivo – Mahajunga route goes right past the park entrance. If taking the Cotisse bus in either direction, tickets must be pre-booked as they sell out in advance. Price as of 2018 was Ar35,000p/p
Cotisse Transport offers reliable and well-maintained vehicles, safe drivers and is a comfy way to make the long journey. Seats sell out fast and well in advance, especially during peak seasons. We recommend pre-booking tickets. At the time of our visit, foreigners couldn’t pay online. If this is the case, ask your hostel to call and reserve your seats. You will then need to go to the Cotisse bus station 24-48hrs prior to your departure to pay.
Accommodation at Ankarafantsika National Park.
Camping is allowed in the park although visitors are encouraged to carry private camping equipment, tents, food, supplies and other material. Warm blankets are recommended for nights while a flash light or torch is needed for nocturnal tours in the forest.
Gîte d’Ampijora has a range of accommodation. We stayed in a Gîte. it was super basic but clean and comfortable enough for a couple of nights. The shared facilities were basic also (cold water only) but fine. There are also bungalows which were very spacious, but 3 times the price. They all seemed to sleep 4 people, so maybe a good option for a small group Camping (tents provided) Ar20,000, Gîte TWN/DBL with shared facilities – Ar30,000, Private en-suite bungalow – Ar90,000, There is a restaurant on site, Breakfast from – Ar15,000, Entree/dessert – Ar15,000,
Main course lunch/dinner – Ar20,000, Large Water – Ar5,000, Large beer – Ar4,000.
Best time to visit Ankarafantsika National Park.
Madagascar is a massive island and its climate varies from east to west and from north to south. But as general rule April to October are the drier months, with December to end of April are the wetter months in Ankarafantsika National Park. Though, this part of Madagascar is a pretty dry area, it doesn’t see too much rain and is accessible year round.
Things really start getting busy from June with the peak months being the European school holidays of July and August. If you can avoid those two months you will have a quieter experience in parks and accommodation will be far less busy! December can also be quite busy here too.
Ankarafantsika National Park has a huge array of birdlife, and it’s at is most impressive from October to December. Lizards and snakes tend to come out of hibernation from September through to December too.
