National park · Madagascar
Ranomafana National ParkParc National de Ranomafana
Enter Ranomafana National Park: pay 57,000 Ar per person, hike a 2‑hour short trail for under $15, or do a full 6‑hour forest trek in the dry season (May–Oct); avoid the rainy season (Dec–Mar).
- 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
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
416 km² (161 sq mi)161 sq mi (416 km²)
approximate
Established
1991
Best months
May–Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 11Nine 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.
- Fianarantsoa Province ↗The RN7 is the main road; hire a car with a driver — self-driving is not recommended.
- Fianarantsoa Province ↗Carry ariary cash; ATMs outside Fianarantsoa and Ambalavao are unreliable.
- Fianarantsoa Province ↗National park entry and guide fees are paid at the park gate; check current rates.
At a glance
- Country
- Madagascar
- Area
- 416 km² (161 sq mi)161 sq mi (416 km²)
- The park covers about 416 km² of primary rainforest (check against official source for exact boundary).
- Established
- 1991
- Best months
- May–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Ranomafana National Park protects a large tract of lowland rainforest in southeastern Madagascar, home to many endemic lemurs such as the golden bamboo lemur, and offers a network of marked trails ranging from short walks to full‑day treks, all reachable from the main road RN25.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2007Rainforests of the Atsinanana
Size and age
416 km² (161 sq mi)161 sq mi (416 km²) · national park since 1991
The park covers about 416 km² of primary rainforest (check against official source for exact boundary).
Why go
- Primary rainforest with several endemic lemur species, including the rare golden bamboo lemur.
- Well‑marked trails ranging from short walks to full‑day treks, reachable from the main road.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanRainy, trails muddy
- FebRainy, high humidity
- MarRainy season peaks
- AprTransition, occasional showers
- MayDry, cooler
- JunDry, good wildlife spotting
- JulDry, pleasant temperatures
- AugDry, ideal for trekking
- SepDry, warm
- OctDry, end of season
- NovFirst rains may start
- DecRainy, trails slippery
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden bamboo lemurMay–Oct · Endemic, best seen in dry season | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Various other lemur species (brown, red‑fronted)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Chameleons and endemic birdsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance (RN25) | Ticket office, information desk, start of short trails | Open daily |
| Ranomafana village | Lodging, restaurant, hot spring | Walk or short drive from entrance |
| Forest trail network | Short walks and full‑day treks into primary forest | Guided for long treks |
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 park office and village; approximate for orientation.
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 (per person, per day) | MGA 57,000 | person | Price from park website |
| Guide fee for longer walks | Free | person | Varies; check with park office |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided trek (6‑hour trail) permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trek longer than 2 hours
- Camping
- Only at the designated campsite near the office; otherwise not allowed
- Fires and litter
- No open fires; carry out all rubbish
- Vehicle access
- Private cars may use the road to the entrance; no off‑road driving in the forest
Where to stay
Near the park
Ranomafana village lodges
Bungalows and basic hotels, prices around 60,000–150,000 Ar per night
In the park
Park campsite
Covered site next to the office, very basic facilities
Safety
Mosquito‑borne diseases medium
Rain‑induced trail slip high
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
- Entrance area reachable by car; short trail is wheelchair‑incompatible due to uneven ground.
Visiting lightly
- Bring cash; ATMs are scarce.
- Support local lodges that use solar power and rainwater collection.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ranomafana National Park?
The entry fee is 57,000 Ar per person per day; a guide for longer walks costs extra and varies by provider.
What are the best hikes in Ranomafana National Park?
A short 2‑hour loop near the entrance is good for beginners; the full‑day trek to Vohiparara (6–8 h) offers the best chance to see lemurs.
When is the best time to visit Ranomafana National Park?
The dry season from May to October provides the best trail conditions and wildlife spotting; avoid the rainy months December to March.
Do I need a guide for any walk?
Guides are mandatory for treks longer than 2 hours and for night walks.
Is camping allowed inside the park?
Only at the designated campsite next to the office; other areas prohibit camping.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go