Safari Highlights in Madagascar
Tsingy Nature Reserve

This area was once practically inaccessible, but since it became a UNESCO World Heritage site it has begun featuring on more and more tour itineraries! The largest protected area in Madagascar (152,000 hectares), Tsingy de Bemaraha, is in the west of the country and includes a huge forest of eroded limestone pinnacles that harbours a stunning display of wildlife.

The reserve is actually two parks, the Petit Tsingy and the Grand Tsingy. So far, recorded, there are 53 species of bird, eight of reptile and six of lemur. Organised trips into the Tsingy may include a spectacular canoe trip down the Manambolo River.

In the south of Petit Tsingy is the spectacular Manambolo Gorge where you can see waterfalls, lemurs and magnificent untouched forests.

Isalo National Park

Park National de Isalo was established in 1962 and covers 81,540 hectares of wildly eroded sandstone massif. The grassy plains are surrounded by sandstone ridges sculpted into various wild forms, and secluded in the rocks are many Sakalava Tombs. The Canyon des Singes ('Canyon of Monkeys') makes for an interesting day walk, and you will have a good chance of seeing sifakas (a common lemur) leaping through the trees.

You can also walk along the canyon to the Piscine Naturelle - a hot and thirsty walk but worth it for the breathtaking landscape along the way. The Grotte des Portugais is at the northern end of the park. The cave isn't worth seeing, but the surrounding Forêt de Sahanafa is beautiful, with natural springs and a lot of lemurs to enjoy.

The Isalo is about 400km south-west of Tana, and the nearest town is Ranohira.

Andasibe National Park

Parc National d'Andasibe-Mantadia with its 12,810ha encompasses two distinct areas: the small Réserve Spéciale d'Analamazaotra (often referred to as Périnet, its colonial-era name, or simply as the Indri Reserve) in the south by Andasibe; and the much larger Parc National de Mantadia to the north. The park is easily accessed from Antananarivo and is a popular stop on many tourist itineraries. The Réserve d'Analamazaotra - which is where most visitors go to - gets crowded on weekends, but is usually much calmer during the week. It also tends to fill up during late July and August, which is Madagascar's tourist high season.

Topographically, the area is characterised by low hills covered by a degraded forest and dotted with a few small, attractive lakes.

The best times to visit this area is from September to January, and in May.