Price and Practical Information
Departure: 5:30 AM from your hotel in Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) Journey: Approx. 4 hours to Mahamasina (East Ankarana) Duration: Day trip including about 5 hours of guided hiking Return: Around 8:00 PM, depending on traffic and road conditions
Lunch is not included, but can be ordered in advance at a local restaurant near the park entrance before the hike. The excursion includes private transport, park entrance fees, and a local guide for the visit.
Highlights
During this day, you will discover the spectacular Tsingy formations, sharp limestone needles that create a breathtaking landscape. While hiking the park trails, you may encounter lemurs, chameleons, and endemic birds, all while exploring caves, sinkholes, and underground rivers shaped over millennia. The contrast between the dry savanna, tropical forest, and stone relief gives Ankarana an atmosphere that is both mysterious and fascinating.
Why Choose This Excursion
This one-day adventure offers a perfect combination of geological wonders, wildlife discoveries, and scenic hikes. You will explore one of the most impressive ecosystems in northern Madagascar, where raw natural force meets astonishing biodiversity. Ideal for travelers seeking an authentic and active experience, this excursion promises grand landscapes and unforgettable memories.
Rates per person
1 traveler: €310
2 travelers: €180
3 travelers: €160
4 travelers: €140
5 travelers: €125
6 travelers: €110
For other options, please contact us.
Ankarana National Park
Ankarana National Park is one of Madagascar’s most remarkable geological and biological sites. Located in the Diana region, south of Diego Suarez, it covers nearly 18,000 hectares and houses a spectacular karst massif composed of tsingy, caves, and canyons. Classified as a protected area since 1956, the park attracts many travelers every year interested in hiking, wildlife observation, and discovering unique geological formations.
One of the most well-known elements of Ankarana is its network of tsingy, these sharp limestone formations eroded by water over millennia. The park possesses some of the most accessible tsingy in Madagascar, making it an ideal destination for visitors wishing to discover this environment without committing to very difficult walks. The Great Wall of Tsingy, the Rary Tsingy, and the surrounding dry forest areas allow for understanding the region’s geological evolution and the diversity of micro-habitats they harbor.
The park is also famous for its underground network: over 100 kilometers of caves and galleries have been mapped, some containing underground rivers, stalactites, bats, and fossils. Sites such as the Bat Cave, the Cathedral Cave, or the Suspension Bridge are among the most frequented attractions. These caves also hold great cultural importance for the Antakarana people, who consider them sacred places.
The park’s biodiversity is remarkable. About ten species of lemurs are recorded here, including the crowned lemur, Sanford’s brown lemur, the common brown lemur, and the mouse lemur. The fauna also includes numerous reptiles like the Madagascar boa, several species of chameleons and geckos, as well as a wide variety of birds, often easy to observe in open areas. The flora is typical of northern dry forests: baobabs, euphorbias, robust vines, and xerophytic plants adapted to the arid climate.
Access to Ankarana National Park is mainly from Ambilobe or from Diego Suarez for those taking the road connecting the great northern tourist sites. The park is well-developed with marked trails, footbridges, and observation points. Visiting requires an authorized local guide. Several circuits of varying durations are offered to adapt the discovery to each visitor’s abilities.
Ankarana National Park is an essential stop for understanding the natural richness of northern Madagascar. Easily accessible, varied, and landscape-rich, it constitutes one of the country’s best examples of karst formation and a place not to be missed for nature and hiking enthusiasts.
