Find your happiness in Isalo while enjoying the freshness of its natural swimming pools!

The National Park of Isalo is appreciated for its ruin-shaped relief displaying a variety of landscapes with close appearance to a shredded stone castle. The magnificent show in front of your eyes is the combined work of wind, rain and erosion on the rocks of the Isalo massif, appeared 200 million years ago during the Jurassic era.
 
Wherever you go in this park measuring 80,000 hectares, you will be amazed by the magic of nature in a hostile universe. The deep canyons extending over tens of kilometers follow the sharp summits culminating at more than 300 meters. At the bottom you will find a vegetation that has adapted itself to the harsh climatic conditions of the region. Rivers with greenish colors and translucent waters guarantee freshness when you sink into the mazes of Isalo.
 
These rivers also feed the beautiful pools of the park. The natural pool that will be found on the Namaza circuit is one of the most frequented water bodies of Isalo. More accessible and shallow, this one suits you perfectly, if you are on a family trip. While continuing on your hike, you come out onto the blue swimming pool. The latter owes its name to the turquoise blue color of its waters. This place is ideal if you like a very cool bath. Then the black pool is a few meters upper; this pool is so deep that you will only see black color. Bathing here is reserved for the bravest.
 
This article was featured in Prime Magazine July 2017
 
 

Useful Information

When to go

The Isalo massif is in an area where climate is warm and temperate. It rains a little in the area. Average annual precipitation ranges from 800 mm to 1000 mm. As for temperature, the monthly average varies between 17°C and 25°C. To make the most of your stay in the Isalo massif, plan your trip between April and October!

How to get there

The Isalo massif is located on the RN7 road, 700 km away from Antananarivo. You can go there by taxi-brousse or rental car. A stop in Fianarantsoa will do you some good. You can also reach Toliara by plane and then go up the RN7 road.

Where to stay

The city of Ranohira has a hotel offer capable of meeting your requirements. For your trip, you can stay in Les Toiles de l'Isalo or Hotel Orchidée de l’Isalo. Hotel Le Relais de la Reine, Isalo Rock Lodge and Le Jardin du Roy are also excellent addresses. In Fianarantsoa, book your room at Zomatel Hotel, Soratel or Tsara Guest House.

Where to eat

During your visit at the Isalo National Park, order a picnic basket and eat at your pace during the tour. In the evening, eat at the restaurant of your hotel.

What to see

Once in Isalo, enjoy your walk in the park to see animal species that live in these hostile places! Lemurs and reptiles are the masters of the place. You can already find some in the Namaza circuit, but for the moving encounters, go to the makis’ canyon! The Cave of Portuguese also deserves the detour.