O'Santorini

Keys to Imagination….

Looking to plan for Madagascar! Here is a summary on different wildlife parks

Park Name Nearest Airport Road distance from Antananarivo Species of Lemurs found Best time of Visit Flight ticket Other unique species Region Type
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park Antananarivo (Ivato) 3–5 hrs Indri (largest living lemur; loud distinctive calls) April–May / Oct–Nov Parson’s chameleon Eastern Madagascar Rainforest
Diademed sifaka Leaf-tailed geckos
Red-bellied lemur Madagascar tree boa
Woolly lemur 80+ frog species (e.g. painted mantella)
Sportive lemurs
Le Palmarium Private Reserve Toamasina 6–8 hrs including 1 hr by boat
(3–4 hrs from Andasibe to Manambato)		 Black-and-white ruffed lemur November best
April–May also ok		 ≈ ₹11,000 (Toamasina ↔ Ivato) Chameleons, frogs, snakes
Rich collection of palms		 Eastern Madagascar Rainforest
Indri
Crowned lemur
Coquerel’s sifaka (dances)
Aye-aye
Ranomafana National Park Antananarivo 9–10 hours (overnight in Antsirabe or Ambositra) Golden bamboo lemur May–Oct Giraffe-necked weevil South-Eastern Madagascar Rainforest
Milne-Edwards’ sifaka
Mouse lemurs
Red-fronted brown lemur
Kirindy Forest Reserve Morondava Airport Very long route – not practical by road Verreaux’s sifaka (dances) May / Oct–Nov ≈ ₹30,000 return Fossa Western Madagascar Dry deciduous forest
Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur Giant jumping rat
Coquerel’s dwarf lemur Narrow-striped mongoose
Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park Morondava Airport Very long route
(8 hrs from Morondava)		 Decken’s sifaka April–May
(Grand Tsingy only after June)		 ≈ ₹30,000 return Fossa Western Madagascar Dry deciduous forest
Cleese’s woolly lemur
Red-fronted brown lemur
Masoala National Park Maroantsetra No road access Red-ruffed lemur Aug–Nov
(July–Sep for humpback whales)		 ≈ ₹32,000 return Tomato frog North-East Madagascar Lowland rainforest
White-fronted brown lemur Humpback whales
Mouse lemurs Leaf-tailed geckos
Aye-aye
Woolly lemurs
Lokobe Nature Special Reserve Nosy Be Island – no road access Black lemur May–Oct ≈ ₹30,000 return Panther chameleon North-Western Madagascar Evergreen rainforest
Hawk’s sportive lemur Pygmy / leaf chameleon
Claire’s mouse lemur Endemic frogs
Nosy Tanikely National Park Nosy Be Island – no road access Black lemur May–Oct (snorkelling)
Sept–Dec for humpback whales		 Green sea turtles North-Western Madagascar Marine Area
Brown lemur Madagascar flying fox
Whale sharks
Isalo National Park Toliara Very far Ring-tailed lemur April–May / Oct ≈ ₹30,000 return Benson’s rock thrush South-Western Madagascar Dry forest
Verreaux’s sifaka Malagasy rainbow frog
Red-fronted brown lemur Madagascar boas
Coquerel’s giant mouse lemur
Ankarafantsika National Park Mahajanga 8–10 hrs Coquerel’s sifaka April–May
Nov–Dec for birds		 ≈ ₹28,000 return Madagascar fish eagle North-Western Madagascar Dry forest
Mongoose lemur Rhinoceros chameleon
Western woolly lemur Madagascar big-headed turtle
Golden-brown mouse lemur Fossa
Nile crocodiles
Marojejy National Park Sambava Not practical Silky sifaka Sep–Oct (very good)
April–May also ok		 ≈ ₹28,000 return Helmet vanga North-Eastern Madagascar Rainforest
Northern bamboo lemur Madagascar serpent-eagle
White-fronted brown lemur Leaf-tailed geckos
Amber Mountain National Park Antsiranana Not practical Crowned lemur May–Nov ≈ ₹30,000 return Amber Mountain rock thrush Northern Madagascar Rainforest
Sanford’s brown lemur Brookesia chameleons
Northern fork-marked lemur
Ambohitantely Special Reserve Antananarivo 3–4 hrs
(can be visited en-route to Ankarafantsika)		 Common brown lemur May is good Madagascar crested ibis Central Highlands Special Reserve
Rufous mouse lemur Couas, rare highland palm
Excellent for birding
Berenty Reserve Fort Dauphin Airport Not practical Ring-tailed lemur April–Oct ≈ ₹30,000 return South-East Madagascar Dry forest / Gallery forest
Verreaux’s sifaka
White-footed sportive lemur

Leave a comment

Navigation

About

Writing on the Wall is a newsletter for freelance writers seeking inspiration, advice, and support on their creative journey.