National park · Madagascar
Andringitra National ParkParc National d'Andringitra
Enter Andringitra National Park for a day hike: pay the entry fee (≈ 15 000 MGA), take the easy 2‑hour trail to the granite summit before noon; for a full trek to Pic Boby, book a guide and allow 2‑3 days, best in 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.
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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
640 km² (247 sq mi)247 sq mi (640 km²)
approximate
Established
1999
Best months
May–Sep
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
- 640 km² (247 sq mi)247 sq mi (640 km²)
- Official park area; varies by source.
- Established
- 1999
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Andringitra National Park, established in 1999 in Madagascar’s Fianarantsoa Province, offers rugged high‑altitude terrain centered on the 2 658 m Imarivolanitra (Pic Boby) summit, rich endemic wildlife and a mix of short day hikes and multi‑day treks requiring a licensed guide.
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
640 km² (247 sq mi)247 sq mi (640 km²) · national park since 1999
Official park area; varies by source.
Why go
- Rugged mountain terrain with the 2 658 m Imarivolanitra summit.
- High biodiversity: many endemic birds, mammals and frogs.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanWet, trails slippery
- FebRainy, possible landslides
- MarTransition, still wet
- AprStart of dry season
- MayDry, clear skies
- JunDry, cooler
- JulDry, comfortable
- AugDry, good visibility
- SepDry, warm
- OctEnd of dry season
- NovRain returns
- DecWet, trails muddy
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endemic birds (e.g., Madagascar ibis)Mar–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Lemurs (e.g., ring‑tailed lemur)Apr–Nov | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Rare frogsOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | 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
From Fianarantsoa
Taxi‑brousse or private car south 47 km (29 mi) on RN7 to Ambalavao, then a 30 min drive to the park gate.Taxi‑brousse or private car south 29 mi (47 km) on RN7 to Ambalavao, then a 30 min drive to the park gate.
2–3 h
Open the page →
From Antananarivo
Fly to Fianarantsoa (≈ 1 h) then follow road route above, or take a direct 9‑hour taxi‑brousse south.
9–10 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance / visitor centre | Ticket office, basic facilities, trailhead for short hikes. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Imarivolanitra summit area | High‑altitude ridge and granite peak. | Guided trek required. |
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 page; approximate for summit.
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) | 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 or guide
Guided trek to Imarivolanitra permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the short ridge walk.
- Camping
- Only allowed in designated camps such as Tsara Camp.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited outside designated areas.
- Pets
- Not allowed in the park.
Where to stay
In the park
Tsara Camp
Tented accommodation near the park entrance.
Near the park
Ambalavao town
Guesthouses and small hotels, 15 km (9.3 mi) from the gate.Guesthouses and small hotels, 9.3 mi (15 km) from the gate.
Safety
Steep, rocky sections medium
Rapid weather change at altitude 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
- Visitor centre reachable by car; short ridge walk has a moderate slope.
Visiting lightly
- Hire local guides registered with Madagascar National Parks.
- Stay in designated camps to limit impact.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Andringitra National Park?
The entry fee is about 15 000 MGA per person (2026 estimate).
What are the best hikes in Andringitra National Park?
A short 2‑hour ridge walk from the gate is easy; the full Imarivolanitra summit trek takes 2‑3 days and requires a guide.
When is the best time to visit Andringitra National Park?
The dry season May to October offers the most reliable trails; May–July are especially good for summit attempts.
Do I need a guide for any hike?
Yes, a licensed guide is mandatory for any trek beyond the short ridge walk, including the summit.
Are there accommodation options inside the park?
Tsara Camp provides basic tented lodging; otherwise stay in Ambalavao town nearby.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Andringitra National Park
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