Ankarafantsika Park

Specificity of the Park
Ankarafantsika includes a unique floristic formation on sandy mass in which are found fauna species with a very high rate of endemicity and not represented in other protected areas.
Ankarafantsika contributes to the representativeness of biodiversity in Madagascar’s network of parks and reserves.
The Park also presents varied and contrasting landscapes, such as the different forest types, savannah, lakes or “lavaka” of Ankarokaroka. Result of a gigantic erosion.
How to get there
• The Ankarafantsika National Park is on the National Road 4 (RN4) linking Antananarivo-Mahajanga
• Journey time: 8 hours
• Distance: 450 km from Antananarivo and 115 km south of Mahajanga
The road is in good condition, passable all year.
• Fifty (50) species of molluscs and a large number of tsingy snails
• Half of the bat species in Madagascar, fourteen (14) species
• Sixty (60) species of reptiles and amphibians
• Eleven (11) species of lemurs
• Sixty (60) species of reptiles and amphibians
• Ninety six (96) species of birds
Location of the Park
The Ankarafantsika National Park is located in the Boina region, it straddles the districts of Marovoay and Ambato-Boeni. It is limited to the East by the Mahajamba River and to the West by the Betsiboka.
GPS: 16 ° 09 South and 46 ° 57 East.
Area: 136,513 ha
Region: Boeny
Ideal time for the visit
Between October and November
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Historical
The term “Ankarafantsika” is a transformation of the name “Garafantsy” which means “mountain of thorny” and evokes the time when these forests inspired the terror and the mystery, due to the presence of Ravelobe, a patriot become highwayman which attacked the travelers. “Garafantsy” also refers to a cunning and creepy man.
Population
The population of the peripheral zone is very heterogeneous and consists mainly of farmers. Estimated at 37,456 inhabitants, the Peripheral Zone contains 133 villages and hamlets Ethnic group: Sakalava
Flora of Ankarafantsika National Park
The Ankarafantsika National Park is home to a rich and diverse flora. Eight hundred and twenty three (823) species were inventoried. The endemicity rate is significant ranging from 82% for herbaceous plants to 92% for woody plants and therefore deserves special attention in terms of conservation.
Fauna of the Ankarafantsika National Park
The diversity of lemurs highlights the importance of the Ankarafantsika National Park for the conservation of Madagascar’s biodiversity. Eight (8) species of lemurs have been observed. The Ankarafantsika region is known to host over one hundred and twenty nine (129) bird species, of which seventy-five (75) are endemic
Landscapes of Ankarafantsika National Park
The Park presents varied and contrasting landscapes such as the different forest types, the savannah or the lakes that constitute the habitats of different species.