Analamazaotra National Park

Analamazaotra National Park, about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) south of downtown Andasibe and 140 kilometers (87 miles) east of Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, features 11 species of lemurs and the Parson’s chameleons, endemic animals in the country. With its dense jungle, the park also provides natural habitats for a rich variety of plants including fragrant orchids and palms.

Home to Indri Lemurs and Other Endemic Animals

The Analamazaotra National Park gathers 11 species of lemurs, 109 species of birds, and many other animals including mammals and predators, and offers a comfortable and pleasant living environment for them.

The most famous lemur in the park is called Indri, which amazes tourists with its distinctive calls. In the jungle, even if you are far from the indri lemur, you can still hear its calls. As the largest existing lemur on the earth, Indri has a long body but a short tail and it’s more active in the morning. The diademed sifaka is another kind of lemur living in the park and it has a long tail that helps it maintain balance while jumping.

On the branches of trees, you can see Parson's chameleons, the largest chameleon in the world and endemic animal in Madagascar. As it moves, its body color varies from yellow or green to another hue. It has a long tongue and a long tail, and you will know how swift its tongue is when it catches its food.

Plant Lovers’ Must-go Park with Flower Fragrance

If you prefer fragrant flowers and verdant greenery in jungles, the Analamazaotra National Park won’t let you down. Among more than 1,200 species of plants in the park, about 70% are endemic to Madagascar.

Walking in the jungle of the park, you can feast your eyes on enormous orchids, palm trees, rosewood trees, and screw pines. A total of 120 endemic species of orchids grow in the park and they have aromatic smells and vivid or pastel petals. The palm tree is tall and has feathery leaves. The rosewood tree provides logs for people to make furniture. The screw pine has leaves and fruits similar to those of pineapples.

Four Eco-tourism Circuits to Enjoy Natural Beauty

Here are four eco-tourism circuits for you to explore the park and appreciate its beauty. Their prices are different based on difficulty and duration.

1. Circuit Adventure
Highlights: The longest circuit with jungle scenery, allowing you to trek in the jungle and view precious trees.
Length: An 8-kilometer-long (5 miles) trek.
Duration: 4 to 5 hours.
Difficulty: Average.

2. Circuit Indri 1
Highlights: A circuit with lemurs, chameleons, lizards, birds, medicinal plants... You can also watch the sunset and admire lakes and forests.
Length: A 3.5-kilometer-long (2 miles) trek.
Duration: 2 hours.
Difficulty: Easy.

3. Circuit Indri 2
Highlights: More time to view highlights in Circuit Indri 1 and adventure in forests.
Length: A 4.5-kilometer-long (3 miles) trek.
Duration: 3 hours.
Difficulty: Average.

4. Circuit Palmier Anivokely
Highlights: A circuit specially designed for students and naturalists and containing endemic orchids and palm trees.
Length: A 2.5-kilometer-long (1.5 miles) trek.
Duration: 3 hours.
Difficulty: Difficult.

How to Get to Analamazaotra National Park

1. By car: It takes about 3 hours by car from Antananarivo to the park.

2. By bus: If you depart from Antananarivo, you can take a bus at the Ampasapito Station. In Moramanga, a town 25 kilometers (15 miles) west of the park, you can also take a bus.

3. By train: At 7: 00 a.m. every Monday or 3: 00 p.m. every Thursday, you can take a train from Moramanga, and get off at the Andasibe Perinet Station.

 Opening Hours: 8: 00 a.m. to 4: 00 p.m.
 Ticket Fare: 45,000 MGA for an adult and 25,000 MGA for a child, excluding the guide fee. All the tourists, whether alone or in groups, must be accompanied by a tour guide.
 Other Note: Please wear solid and comfortable shoes to gain a better traveling experience.