National park · Madagascar
Zahamena National ParkParc National de Zahamena
Enter Zahamena for a day hike to see endemic birds and the indri: buy the entry ticket (≈15 000 MGA), drive 4 h from Antananarivo, hike a 6‑km trail (2‑3 h) in the dry season (May–Oct).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
3,600 km² (1,390 sq mi)1,390 sq mi (3,600 km²)
approximate
Established
2002
Best months
May–Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 10Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- African islands ↗Sleep on the island you fly home from the night before your long-haul departure; inter-island flights and ferries in this region are cancelled or rescheduled often enough to break a same-day connection.
- African islands ↗In the Indian Ocean islands book flexible rates for December to March: a cyclone warning can shut airports, ferries and roads for two or three days.
- Madagascar ↗Check visa and e-visa rules for your passport on Madagascar's official e-visa portal before booking.
- Madagascar ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention and whether a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for your route.
- Madagascar ↗Hire a car with a driver for road trips; self-drive is rarely practical and driving after dark is unsafe.
- Madagascar ↗Do not buy or export wildlife, tortoise shell, precious stones without a certificate, or protected plants; enforcement at the airport is strict.
- Toamasina Province ↗Cyclone season is roughly December to March; the east coast takes the first hit. Check forecasts before booking coastal nights.
- Toamasina Province ↗The RN2 from Antananarivo to Toamasina is paved but winding and often blocked by trucks; allow a full day.
At a glance
- Country
- Madagascar
- Area
- 3,600 km² (1,390 sq mi)1,390 sq mi (3,600 km²)
- Park covers about 3 600 km² of rainforest and montane forest (check).
- Established
- 2002
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Antananarivo
Zahamena National Park in Toamasina Province protects mountainous rainforest, rich birdlife and the critically endangered indri, forming part of the UNESCO Rainforests of the Atsinanana World Heritage site.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2007Part of Rainforests of the Atsinanana.
Size and age
3,600 km² (1,390 sq mi)1,390 sq mi (3,600 km²) · national park since 2002
Park covers about 3 600 km² of rainforest and montane forest (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Antananarivo.
Why go
- Birdwatching hotspot with 112 species, many endemic.
- Home to the critically endangered indri lemur.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanRainy, trails slippery
- FebRainy season
- MarRainy, some access limited
- AprTransition to dry, trails improving
- MayDry, good birding
- JunDry, comfortable hiking
- JulDry, cooler
- AugDry, stable weather
- SepDry, good visibility
- OctEnd of dry season
- NovRain starts, trails wet
- DecRainy season begins
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indri lemurAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Madagascar serpent eagleApr–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Endemic forest birdsMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance area | Gate, visitor office, short interpretation trail. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Birdwatching sector | Higher elevation trails with viewpoints. | Guided walks recommended. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from official park site; approximate for trail points.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | MGA 15,000 | person | 2026 estimate |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the short entrance loop.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; stay in nearby towns.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use portable stoves only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Amparafaravola lodges
Basic rooms and meals within 30 km (19 mi) of the park gate.Basic rooms and meals within 19 mi (30 km) of the park gate.
Near the park
Toamasina hotels
More options, 2‑hour drive from the park.
Safety
Rainy season trail slip medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main entrance area reachable by car with short walks; trails are unpaved and steep.
Visiting lightly
- Support community‑run lodges in Amparafaravola.
- Hire local guides licensed by the park.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Zahamena National Park?
The entry fee is about 15 000 MGA per person (2026 estimate).
What are the best hikes in Zahamena National Park?
Guided indri trek (3–4 h, moderate) and the birdwatching loop (2–3 h, easy) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Zahamena National Park?
The dry season, May to October, offers the best conditions for hiking and wildlife spotting.
Do I need a guide for any part of Zahamena?
A guide is required for any trek beyond the short entrance loop, especially the indri trek.
Can I camp inside Zahamena National Park?
Camping is not permitted; stay in nearby towns such as Amparafaravola.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Zahamena National Park
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