Madagascar's Ankarafantsika:
A diverse and easily accessible national park
Ankarafantsika National Park covers 135,000 hectares and offers the best conditions for a visit. The park is located about 100km south of the port city of Mahajunga (Majunga) and is directly on the RN 4 which connects the port city with Antananarivo. Eight species of lemurs are native to the national park. Also numerous reptiles like Freshwater turtles and Chameleons live in the park. 75 of the total 129 species of birds living here are endemic. With a little luck and ornithological experience you can see here the Madagascar Sea Eagle observe. It is one of the rarest birds of prey in the world and lives only here in the Northwest of Madagascar. The reserve is open to visitors all year round. However, you should inform yourself in advance in detail about the respective weather conditions at your travel time. With your Travel arrangements for Madagascar you should in any case suitable clothing be careful. In the northwest it is often very hot even during the dry season from April to November. Summer temperatures (November to April) are usually even higher.
Your journey to Ankarafantsika National Park
From Mahajunga, the drive to the park entrance near the village of Ampijoroa takes about 2 hours. From Antananarivo you should allow about a day for the journey, the Trip to the North of Madagascar allows a visit to this national park. The park administration offers a total of ten covered tent pitches, as well as Five room with electricity and shared showers/toilets. Other tent sites are available on a Campsite in Ambodimanga, a village in the immediate vicinity of the park entrance, available. There is also a restaurant at the entrance of the park. Recently, also a number of small but comfortable bungalows opened near the beautiful lake Ravelobe. Visitors can get deep insights into the ecosystem of the area on 11 well-maintained hiking trails. Prices for the hikes vary from 15,000 Ariary for the short tours to 25,000 for the longer ones.
The different tours through the Ankarafantsika National Park
The easiest route through the park is the Tour of the Coquerell's Sifakas, where visitors will meet some of the park's most famous inhabitants. Lemurs, birds and reptiles are very likely to be seen on the tour, which lasts about two hours. Also for the tour that starts on Lake Ravelobe you should plan about two hours. On this tour you will pass many of the particularly impressive baobabs. The third tour of about two hours is especially for Birdwatchers and botanists suitable. Visitors get information about many different medicinal plants, flowers and numerous birds native here. Visitors who can spare a little more time should take the somewhat longer Ankarota trek or the "Source of life" booking. The Ankarota trek takes in about 4 hours and leads you through the savannah, which is the habitat of numerous animals. The highlight of the hike is the large hole created by erosion, which is located in the middle of the colorful landscape of rocky outcrops and forest sections. The "Source of Life", on the other hand, is a tour that, among other things. Customs and traditions of the Sakalava people deals. While at the beginning you will be able to observe water birds, lemurs and reptiles that are native around Lake Ravelobe, you will then be taken to the sanctuaries of the tribe living here. To this day, mystical religious rituals are performed at these sites. The offered night hike is a highlight of this park, where you will discover rare nocturnal lemurs and other creatures of the night. The entrance fee is 25,000 Ariary per person. Also worthwhile is a Boat trip on the Ravelobe lake, where besides beautiful scenery you will see crocodiles and many aquatic birds such as ospreys, herons and ibises. Prices depend on the number of people on board and vary accordingly.
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Villa Sibylle Antananarivo (Madagascar)
