National park · Madagascar
Andohahela National ParkParc National d'Andohahela
Enter Andohahela National Park for a day: pay the entry fee (≈ 15 000 MGA, check), explore the short canyon trail before noon, or take a longer forest walk (check); avoid February–March when roads may be closed (check).
- 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
887 km² (342 sq mi)342 sq mi (887 km²)
approximate
Established
1998
Best months
May–Aug
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
- 887 km² (342 sq mi)342 sq mi (887 km²)
- Park covers about 887 km² of dry forest, spiny thicket and sandstone formations (check).
- Established
- 1998
- Best months
- May–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Andohahela National Park, the southernmost of Madagascar’s UNESCO‑listed Rainforests of the Atsinanana, protects a transition zone where dry forest meets rainforest, offering diverse habitats, lemur species and striking sandstone canyons.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2007Part of the Rainforests of the Atsinanana.
Size and age
887 km² (342 sq mi)342 sq mi (887 km²) · national park since 1998
Park covers about 887 km² of dry forest, spiny thicket and sandstone formations (check).
Why go
- Walk through dry forest and spiny thicket that transition into rainforest.
- Spot 15 lemur species, including ring‑tailed lemur and Verreaux’s sifaka.
- See sandstone canyons and seasonal waterfalls.
- Experience a mix of habitats in a relatively remote park.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanWet, some roads muddy
- FebHeavy rains, trail closures
- MarRainy, risk of landslides
- AprStart of dry season, cooler
- MayDry, wildlife active
- JunDry, comfortable temps
- JulDry, cooler nights
- AugDry, good visibility
- SepDry, start of warm season
- OctDry, hotter
- NovIncreasing rains
- DecRainy start
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring‑tailed lemur, Verreaux’s sifaka, brown lemurAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Endemic birds (e.g., Madagascar magpie‑robin)Apr–Oct | no | no | no | yes | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Andohahela entrance area | Visitor centre, ticket office, short interpretive trail. | Open daily; ticket required. |
| Canyon trail zone | Sandstone canyons, waterfalls, birdwatching points. | Open; easy to moderate trail. |
| Forest loop zone | Dense dry forest, lemur habitats. | Guided 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 approximate for main entrance and nearby 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 (foreign visitor) | MGA 15,000 | person | check |
| Guided hike (optional) | MGA 30,000–50,000 | person | check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided forest trek no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- MGA 15,000
- MGA 30,000–50,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Andohahela National Park – Madagascar Tourisme before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Check requirement for treks beyond the short canyon walk.check
- Camping
- Check if allowed; generally not permitted inside the park.check
- Fire
- Check fire restrictions; open fires usually prohibited.check
- Pets
- Check pet policy; dogs often not allowed.check
- Collecting
- Check rules on collecting plants, rocks or wildlife.check
Where to stay
Near the park
Taolagnaro town
Budget hotels and guesthouses 30 min from the gate.
Safety
Road conditions medium
Heat low
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 with short paved walk.
- Canyon trail has uneven ground; not wheelchair accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Support local guides and community‑run lodges.
- Do not purchase souvenirs made from wildlife parts.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Andohahela National Park?
The entry fee for foreign visitors is 15 000 MGA per person (≈ $4).
What are the best hikes in Andohahela National Park?
The short 3 km canyon walk is easy and suitable for a half‑day; the 7 km forest loop offers moderate trekking with lemur sightings.
When is the best time to visit Andohahela National Park?
The dry season from April to October provides reliable roads and good wildlife viewing; avoid February–March due to heavy rains.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is not permitted inside the park; stay in nearby Taolagnaro or an approved eco‑lodge.
Do I need a guide for the short canyon walk?
No guide is required for the short canyon trail; a guide is mandatory for longer forest treks.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Andohahela National Park
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