A person can never have enough of national parks, especially when it comes to various attractions found in different parts of the world, developed in different types of climate and conditions. Whether you’re into exquisite flora, rare fauna, incredible terrains and natural phenomenon, there is always something you can find adaptable to your taste. The main secret to finding your favorite reserve is to explore and visit as much as possible. Therefore we present you yet another destination which you will find undoubtedly attractive. What would you say to a trip to Madagascar and the Ranomafana National Park?
Table of Contents
Where is Madagascar?
For many people, Madagascar is familiar as a name of a very famous animated cartoon, which is taken from the name of a very amusing country in Africa. We are talking here about an island country located in the Indian Ocean, southeast of the mainland, close the country of Mozambique. But why should you go that far to visit this mysterious island? Of course, just like any other island, Madagascar has its own attractions and appealing sights, but you can always be more specific in what you expect from a country like this. Therefore, it is good to highlight the worthy places to visit in Madagascar, such as the Avenue of the Baobabs, Rova of Antananarivo and the numerous stunning national parks inviting you to take an enjoyable stroll down their trails.
Since the nature in Madagascar seems untouched and yet there’s so much to explore, there are several national parks that offer the ultimate pleasure. For this purpose, we present you Ranomafana National Park, a pleasant reserve where you’ll be highly entertained while discovering the surrounding.
Find time to visit Ranomafana National Park
There’s a reason why we recommend Ranomafana national park in particular, apart from the numerous fascinating places on this island. The thing with this reserve is that it is so developed regarding its diverse flora and fauna that it attracts visitors from throughout the world, even though it is not as popular as other similar destinations. But the less you know about a certain destination, the more interesting it will be for you to explore it. Nevertheless, whichever the destination may be – you always need some basic guidance. Therefore, we want to start off by informing you that Ranomafana is located somewhere in the southeastern part of Madagascar, near the city of Fianarantsoa.
The park was officially established in 1991 with the primary purpose to protect the biodiversity and the lush rainforests, things that have been naturally under the threat of various human activities. It is also known to be a World Heritage Site regarding the Rainforests of the Atsinanana, together with other national parks in Madagascar. Nevertheless, this park is absorbing to be explored not only by ordinary tourists but also by dedicated scientists that are constantly working on extensive scientific researches.
Explore the wildlife
Due to the specific natural conditions, the development of various and mostly rare types of flora and fauna is of great importance to this region. It is actually the wildlife that distinguishes this reserve among the others in the world and is of great value to many passionate explorers. The spectacular rainforests are the home of various species of flora and fauna worth everyone’s attention. However, what Ranomafana National Park is most famous for is the wide variety of species of a fascinating animal called the lemur. In case you have seen the animated movie Madagascar, you will definitely remember the lemur as the king of the land.
In any case, there are several types of lemurs found in this area, most of which are known as Eastern woolly lemur, Aye-aye, Greater dwarf lemur, Golden bamboo lemur, Red-fronted brown lemur, Black and white ruffed lemur, Milne-Edwards’ sifaka and others. But despite the great fun you’ll have hiked through the park and meeting these wonderful creatures, you will probably get across other interesting mammals like mongooses, bats, and tenrecs. Other than that, don’t forget to pay some attention to the fascinating types of birds and enchanting flora like big palm trees and delicate orchids. Additionally, watch your way for some carnivorous plants.
How to get to Ranomafana National Park?
Even though it looks like you’ll have a hard time getting to this place, it is important to know that it is really easy to be accessed. Once you get to Madagascar, and that would be probably by arriving at some of the numerous airports on the island, it is important to head down to the south-eastern part of the land. In case you’re interested in arriving at the airport that is the closest to the park, then have in mind checking the flights to Fianarantsoa Airport. As mentioned above, Fianarantsoa is the nearest town located about 60 km from this reserve.
Two tarred roads cross the park, both of them being accessible all the year around. However do take care during the rainy season, since the roads can be slippery. Additionally, you can book a tour for a more organized day spent sightseeing or get more informed about the taxi-brousse connection operating from the nearby cities to Ranomafana village.
Fees and accommodation
The tickets for the park vary depending on the days of the visit, also offering discounts according to the number of tourists visiting the park in a group. Therefore, a one day visit is about 25,000 Malagasy Ariary, which is about 8-9 US dollars. On the other hand, a two-day visit is Ar 37,000, which is about 12-13 US dollars. And for accommodation, you can find a comfortable place to stay in the Ranomafana village. However, if you’re thinking of spending a more adventurous holiday, then have in mind visiting and spending the night at the several campsites located within the Ranomafana national park.
Imagine how awesome it would be to have a selfie with a friendly lemur you encounter along your hike through Ranomafana National Park. So, take your backpack and start exploring!
