Tourist offices Madagascar

Five circuits are open in the park: Asaramanitra, Diavolana, Pic Avocados (Imarivolanitra), Imaitso and Isahavato. It is possible to combine them or use one of the two connecting circuits, for a departure from an entry (Namoly) and an arrival at the other entry (Morarano).

Madagascar National Parks is an association of Malagasy law mandated by the State since 1991 to manage the Parks and Reserves of the Big Island. 43 Protected Areas composed of National Parks, Special Reserves and Integral Natural Reserves are concerned. Its mission is to establish, conserve and sustainably manage these areas. The website is full of practical and general information on the different parks and reserves of the country. Guide fees, tours, maps, etc.

The website of the National Tourist Office of Madagascar is a good source of information to prepare your stay. You will find here a summary and an overview of what the Big Island has to offer for a trip. The main regions, the essential steps, information on the rich Malagasy fauna and flora, many ideas for excursions and activities... This website is full of information and will allow you a first trip before departure!

Practical: There are now only two entrances. The most common one, and the easiest to access as well (all year round), is located in the village of Mahamasina, on the RN 6 that leads to Ambilobe (eastern entrance), it is here that the entrance tickets are on sale. Count on at least 4 hours of taxi-brousse from Diego (the road gets worse every month), 3 hours by 4x4. A round trip for the day is therefore to be avoided if possible.

Another entrance is located in the west, near the village of Amboandriky: access by sedan from June to December and by 4x4 from December to May by a track that leaves from Isesy, a few kilometers before Ambilobe. We then reach the Iharana Bush Camp.

Fady. It is advisable to respect certain prohibitions in the park. Discuss them with your guide.

A little geology and etymology. This massif emerged from the sea more than a hundred million years ago (quaternary volcanic activity). Since then, erosion has dug an incredible network (networks, we should say) of underground waters (more than 110 km!). A more recent telluric movement is at the origin of the presence of basaltic rocks and eruptive ashes. During this time, the rain, by eroding the limestone top of the massif, formed in the long run these strange sharpened crests, like a chaos of discordant organs, which one names "Tsingy".

Some people say that this word means "walking on tiptoe", because it is very difficult to walk on the ridges, and this theory seems the most credible..

The fauna and flora. In the park, one can see 11 species of lemurs, notably the crowned lemur(Eulemur coronatus) and the bushy lemur(Eulemur sanfordi), near the campsites and early in the morning or late in the afternoon; about a hundred species of birds, among which the variegated mesire(Mesitornis variegata), one of the rarest of the world. Bats (14 species, about half of all species in Madagascar), chameleons and crocodiles (60 species of reptiles and amphibians) are also part of this fascinating animal world.

The flora is not in rest, the canarium of Madagascar or the pandanus giving it to heart joy; the rupicole vegetation (adapted to the limestone rocks) is present everywhere. We can also admire the adenia, an extraordinary liana, or the taimpapango, with its white bark.

To finish, let us add that the caves are here privileged places of meeting between the living and the ancestors, for the inhabitants of the region. Every year, ritual ceremonies called " Fidirana an-davaka " take place in homage to the ancestors. And every five years, another ceremony, " Tsangan-tsaina ", is dedicated to the "change of mast": in fact, of the mast on which the flag of the Antakarana flies. It is held in the village of Ambatoharana. These ceremonies are very important for the inhabitants. There is no problem to attend, as long as you come with a sound mind and a desire to learn, discover and share. Note that shoes and hats are fady.

Beware: the park is infested with scorpions. Don't go barefoot, be careful where you pitch your tent, and don't forget aspivenin and serum if you are camping.

The entrance of the park is located 5 kilometers before the village of Ranomafana, on the road to Fianarantsoa. It is at the tourist information office that the entrance ticket is bought and that the guide is assigned to you. The office is open from 7am to 4pm, but visits can start as early as 6am with authorization and prior purchase of a ticket. Throughout the day, bush cabs provide the link between the village and the park. Several circuits are organized within the park.

The entrance tickets can be bought at the reception office of Ranohira. The entrance fee is 65 000 Ar per adult. To this price, it is necessary to add the daily guiding fees (160 000 Ar for the day). If you camp in the park, another rate applies, including the guide's fees and those of the porter (50 000 Ar per day). The park offers the possibility to have lunch in the manner of a starred table. Reservations are made at the entrance of the park or with the guide who accompanies you. Count 30 000 Ar the complete menu for lunch zebu brochettes or other specialities.

Many hiking and rural tourism tours are available in the region. It is advisable to contact them in advance to organize them. The regional tourist office is very active and will be a very good resource to assist you in your organization (place to discover, contact with service providers, etc.) and its website has all the information on the possibilities of visits and accommodation in the region. A good source of information.

A must-see information point with a very professional welcome. The structure has been completely modernized to offer visitors a place to meet and exchange ideas about the island's heritage and traditions. On the theme of pirates, a treasure hunt atmosphere, an interactive journey that continues in real immersion with walks and pirogue rides with a certified guide. Follow in the footsteps of the privateers and discover the forbidden island, the cemetery, etc.

A quality website offering the discovery of the north Malagasy, which was updated by Guillaume.

A website very often updated by Pierre to discover Diego and the north of the country (also Nosy Be and Sambava/Antalaha).

The office offers guided tours of the city. Departures on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm, and by reservation. Circuits from 1 to 3 hours. Also offers family hikes on the second Saturday of the month, ideal to discover the 12 hills and the life of the highlands. Sportsmen also have their more intensive hike on the fourth Saturday of the month. The website has interesting information about the region.

New team, new communication media, the Regional Office of Tourism of Tulear seeks to modernize and move the region. Just like their website, which you can consult to get a lot of information, a short visit to their offices, when arriving in Tulear, can be very useful. ORTU works with a village association and organizes activities and excursions to help the local communities.

At the Enceinte Hotel. Miora and his team take care of all kinds of excursions, on foot, in atvs, quad, car, canoe, boat, etc. Confirmation of tickets, customer assistance, transfers on the sea and on earth. This very serious provider tries to offer the best possible services at the lowest price.

High quality operator offering all kinds of excursions to Nosy Be, to the most famous tourist sites, but also according to your wishes. A dynamic, pro and efficient team. ESF also has antennas in Tana and Nosy Be, and it is possible to organise its travel throughout Madagascar.

Their offices are located in Hell City, in front of the Oasis. There are brochures and maps on the island.

A recognized official guide that knows the fauna and flora well.

Awareness of the concept of ecotourism with tourist operators, both private and public. Promotion of Community initiatives (particularly rural tourism). Standardization of tourism products in Madagascar.

Here you will find essential information about natural heritage, filming authorizations, natural reserve plans.

Various information on members, brochures and maps of the island. Feel free to consult the website, very complete, to get a general idea of the offer in the beautiful region of Nosy Be.

Bruno and Germain are unspoiled on their region and develop many activities focused on hiking and the environment. They can help you organize your activities and contact local operators.