Visit Andohahela National Park

 
Andohahela National Park is located in the Anosy Region, it is situated 42 km south-west of Fort- Dauphin, via the National Route 13 (RN13), from the city of Amboasary. It sits between two districts, Fort -Dauphin and Amboasary South. It is the only park in the world that can be found with three types of forest: humid, transitional and dry.
 
The Andohahela National Park has a variety of unique plant species, this cross between the East and the South is the rendezvous of naturalists but also biologists and different researchers. Note that 90% of the plants growing in Andohahela are medicinal plants. Endemic species not found elsewhere; Dypsis Decaryi is a variety of palm called triangular palm or trihedron.
 
 
In terms of wildlife, depending on the habitat, biodiversity varies considerably. You will discover iguana species that are not found in America but also 13 species of lemurs including Eulemur fulvus collaris, Lemur Catta and Propithecus verreauxi. In addition to a variety of reptile and amphibian species, there are also diurnal and nocturnal species; avifauna has 65% endemicity of the 129 species listed.
 

The local population consists of two ethnic groups Antanosy and Antandroy. The Andohahela National Park offers you, apart from trekking, night tours or hikes. Let's not forget that the Andohahela National Park is World Natural Heritage classified. Please note that for the visit it is strictly forbidden to take pork and goats, they are considered taboo. The tombs or "kibory" are sacred, it is forbidden to approach them, or to urinate around them.

 
This article was featured in Prime Magazine December 2017

Useful Information

When to go

Access is more difficult during the rainy season (from January to March) because the slopes become muddy. The months of December and April to observe the flowering of Pachipodium roselatum, and Pachipodium lameri in the Antaravola circuit.

How to get there

Take the flight to Dauphin, or by car: take the RN7 completely tarmacked (Tana - Ihosy) then the RN13 on a secondary track (Ihosy - Betroka - Ambovombe - Fort-Dauphin): two days of travel in dry weather and 3 days or more during the rainy season.

Where to stay

If you prefer nature the best is to bring a tent. In Fort Dauphin city, you will have plenty of choice: hotels Croix du Sud, Dauphin or Lamarina. Facing the sea, the Talinjoo. The Port Hotel and Azura Hotel will also offer you a dream holiday.

Where to eat

If you like seafood, an address: at Richard's. For fans of French cuisine, come to Marceline's. To discover Malagasy cuisine and that of the rest of the world, the choice is multiple: Vivie, Perline, Georges ...

What to see

During your visit, do not forget to visit the Tsimelahy site in the transition zone, the Malio site for its low altitude rain forest and its impressive waterfalls. The sites of Mangatsiaka and Ihazofotsy to discover the thorn bush, the couas and the sifaka.