National park · Madagascar
Isalo National ParkParc National d'Isalo
Visit Isalo National Park: buy entry ticket (≈30 000 Ar), hire a local guide (≈40 000 Ar round‑trip), hike the Canyon Loop early (2 h) or the 2‑day Namaza trek in dry season; avoid peak sunset crowds by arriving before 17:00.Visit Isalo National Park: buy entry ticket (≈30 000 Ar), hire a local guide (≈40 000 Ar round‑trip), hike the Canyon Loop early (2 h) or the 2‑day Namaza trek in dry season; avoid peak sunset crowds by arriving before 5:00 PM.
- 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
815 km² (315 sq mi)315 sq mi (815 km²)
approximate
Established
1966
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
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- 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.
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At a glance
- Country
- Madagascar
- Area
- 815 km² (315 sq mi)315 sq mi (815 km²)
- Official park area; exact figure varies by source.
- Established
- 1966
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Toliara
Isalo National Park spans sandstone canyons, deep gorges, palm‑lined oases and grassland, offering wildlife spotting, natural pools and striking sunset viewpoints; a guide is mandatory for most treks and a community tax supports local villages.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteManaged by Madagascar National Parks (MNP).
Size and age
815 km² (315 sq mi)315 sq mi (815 km²) · national park since 1966
Official park area; exact figure varies by source.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Toliara.
Why go
- Sandstone canyons, natural pools and palm‑lined oases.
- Ring‑tailed lemurs and other endemic wildlife on open grasslands.
- Spectacular sunset spots such as La Fenêtre.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanWarm, occasional rain.
- FebWarm, occasional rain.
- MarTransition to dry season.
- AprDry, mild temperatures.
- MayDry, ideal hiking.
- JunDry, cooler nights.
- JulCooler, occasional cold fronts.
- AugCool, possible night chill.
- SepDry, pleasant.
- OctDry, good visibility.
- NovEnd of dry season, some rain.
- DecWarm, start of rains.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring‑tailed lemurAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Verreaux's sifakaApr–Nov | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Birds of prey and endemic songbirdsMar–Oct | no | no | yes | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ranohira gate | Entry point, visitor office, basic facilities. | Open with ticket. |
| Canyon Loop area | Short loop past La Fenêtre, natural pools. | Guided or self‑guided with guide present. |
| Namaza Circuit | 2‑day trek through deep canyons and waterfalls. | Guided only. |
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 data; trail points approximated.
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 30,000 | person | Approximate 2026 estimate; official fee listed by MNP. |
| Local guide (round‑trip hire) | MGA 40,000 | person | Typical cost in Ranohira; includes transport to trailheads. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided trek permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- MGA 30,000
- MGA 40,000
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 Madagascar National Parks – Isalo before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Mandatory for all treks beyond the short loop.
- Camping
- Only in designated sites; otherwise stay in Ranohira lodges.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves only.
- Cultural sites
- Do not enter sacred caves without permission.
- Pets
- Dogs not allowed in park.
Where to stay
Near the park
Ranohira lodges
Budget bungalows (≈37 000 Ar/night) and mid‑range hotels.
Near the park
Isalo Rock Lodge
Upscale resort with pool; €120–155 per night.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Getting lost on long treks high
Cold nights in high canyons 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
- Gate area reachable by car; short loop has moderate gradients.
- Longer treks involve steep, uneven terrain; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Pay the community tax (≈2 000 Ar/night) that supports local projects.
- Hire local guides and porters to benefit the Bara community.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Isalo National Park?
Entry is about 30 000 Ar per person (2026 estimate); a local guide costs roughly 40 000 Ar per person and is required for most hikes.
What are the best hikes in Isalo National Park?
The short Canyon Loop (2–3 h) for a quick view of La Fenêtre, and the 2‑day Namaza Circuit for deeper canyon scenery and waterfalls.
When is the best time to visit Isalo National Park?
Dry season April to November offers clear trails and good weather; April‑May and September‑October are especially pleasant.
Do I need a guide for the Canyon Loop?
A guide is not mandatory for the short loop but recommended; all longer treks require a certified guide.
Are there camping facilities in the park?
Camping is allowed only in designated sites such as the Namaza campsite; otherwise stay in Ranohira lodges.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Isalo National Park
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