Kirindy Mitea National Park

The Kirindy Mitea National Park, located on the western coast of Madagascar and about 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Morondava, is a park with many endemic Madagascan animals and plants including lemurs, fossa, baobabs, and mangroves. With its rich biodiversity, the park has been designated as a new biosphere reserve by UNESCO. Besides, partially by the coast, the park also offers beautiful beach and island scenery to tourists worldwide.

What to Do in the Kirindy Mitea National Park

View Lemurs, Fossa, Flamingos, and Other Endemic Animals

Gathering 11 species of mammals, 10 species of amphibians, 23 species of reptiles, 90 species of butterflies, and 47 species of birds, the Kirindy Mitea National Park is indeed a must-go for animal lovers.

A total of 4 species of lemurs, which are endemic to Madagascar, live in the park and vary in color and habit. The ring-tailed lemurs are more active in the morning and their tails have 11 to 12 black and white staggered rings. The sifaka lemurs are born dancers and they like to walk sideways. The red-ruffed lemurs have red fur around their faces, black fur on their foreheads, and white fur on the top of their heads. The sportive lemurs are nocturnal and you can meet them after 6: 00 p.m. during your night tour.

What’s also distinctive in the park is the fossa, a predator only found in Madagascar and also the largest beast in the country. Here, you can find them easily and please keep a proper distance from them. The fossa has a body length of 61-76 centimeters (24-30 inches) and a tail about 66 centimeters (26 inches), nearly as long as their bodies. They look like big cats and mainly feed on lemurs.

Besides, in the sacred lake area, you can see endemic flamingos. They have long necks and legs, and their brilliant pink fur makes them stars in the park. You can see them drinking water with their beaks in pink, yellow, and black colors, opening their wings, and flying round and round in a straight position.

Appreciate Baobabs, Mangroves, and More Plants in One Day

In the Kirindy Mitea National Park, you can appreciate vegetation of different kinds in one day, and that’s a special experience you can get here. In this habitat for 182 species of plants, you can appreciate 3 species of endemic baobabs, 7 species of mangroves, dry forests, and savanna. Besides, deserts with spiny plants can also be found.

Enjoy the Beautiful Beach and Island Scenery

The good position on the coastal line enriches the park with the fabulous beach and island scenery. On the sand beach, you can walk barefoot and relax in the sea breeze. Under the seawater, exquisite and colorful coral reefs will amaze you. Hammerhead sharks and whales also live here.

Three Ecotourism Circuits in Kirindy

Three eco-tourism circuits with lower difficulty are provided in the park and the charge for walking on them is the same, 5,000 MGA. Here are their contents:
1. Circuit Agnolignoly
Highlights: Viewing bats, mangroves, and water birds by canoe
Length: 2 kilometers (1 mile)
Duration: 1 hour

2. Circuit Ambondro Sirave
Highlights: Trek to view lakes with water birds, dunes on the island, and dry forests with baobabs. There is no canoe ride along this circuit. 
Length: 3 kilometers (2 miles)
Duration: 2 hours

3. Circuit Maetsakaloe
Highlights: Viewing 3 species of lemurs, 2 species of baobabs, and birds
Length: 4 kilometers (2.5 miles)
Duration: 2 hours

How to Get to the Kirindy Mitea National Park

From Morondava to the Kirindy Mitea National Park, it takes 4 hours by car in Madagascar’s dry season from May to October. If you choose to take a canoe or speedboat from Morondava, it takes 3 to 5 hours. In the rainy season, it depends on specific traffic conditions and takes more time.

 Ticket Fare: 45,000 MGA for an adult and 25,000 MGA for a child, excluding the additional guiding fee. The guiding service is a must.