Madagascar’s Diverse National Parks

If there’s one place on Earth that is especially worthy of recognition and conservation when it comes to the natural world, that place is Madagascar. Wildlife holiday enthusiasts often find that simply spotting the animals that interest them wouldn’t be half as fulfilling without gaining a practical, first-hand appreciation for the climate and environment these animals prefer. Travelers in Madagascar find that their appreciation of the beautiful natural spaces is borne out by the National Parks of the island – six of them declared World Heritage Sites in 2007, under the name ‘Rainforests of the Atsinanana’. Here are a few details on the parks themselves.

Andohahela

One of Madagascar’s most distinctive national parks, Andohahela is (paradoxically) not distinctive for any one type of environment, but rather for the range of environments it contains. Its wide variety of habitats make the park a wonderful place for a Madagascar wildlife holiday if seeing a diverse range of species is your goal. Since the park covers over 760 square kilometers of the Andes mountain range, there are many different environments within its borders; from rainforests to a dry, spiny forest kept safe from the oceanic winds by the mountain range. With such a range of habitats, there are plenty of animal species to be seen by eager nature lovers.

Marojejy

Settled in the Sava Region in the north of the island, the Marojejy National Park is centered around the Marojejy Massif, a mountain chain over 2000 meters high. The elevations and rugged terrain of the area creates a unique effect – diverse habitats for animals that change rapidly in relation to a walker’s altitude. A day spent in Marojejy National Park on a Madagascar wildlife holiday will reveal plenty of different species that enjoy a variety of climates. At least 118 species of birds, 148 reptile and amphibian species, and 11 species of Lemurs are known to reside in the Marojejy Massif, meaning there’s an unparalleled opportunity for walkers to see the array of animals the country has to offer.

Masoala

If you’re hoping to see distinctive animals such as the Red Ruffed Lemur, the Madagascar Day Gecko, the Red Owl and Tomato Frog, and even the elusive nocturnal Aye-Aye, then Masoala National Park is the place to go for your Madagascar wildlife holiday. With its range of habitats – including rainforest, coastal forest, marshes and mangroves – the Masoala peninsula is exceptionally diverse, and so particularly valued as a national park. It’s a particularly evocative place to visit, and catching a glimpse of rare creatures in such beautiful surroundings can be the experience of a lifetime.