- Address: Ankarana Special Reserve Registration Office, Antsiranana Rural, Antsiranana, Madagascar
- Phone: +261 20 22 415 54
- Area: 18225 ha
- Year of foundation: 1956
In the northern part of the island of Madagascar is the Ankarana National Park. It is famous for its numerous canyons, underground rivers, beautiful water reservoirs, caves with stalagmites and stalactites, as well as stone formations that have bizarre shapes.
Description of the protected area
The whole territory is covered with limestone rocks from the basaltic plain. The National Pak has a total area of 18225 hectares and is located at an altitude of 50 m above sea level. Most caves are filled with water, from which originate 3 rivers from the regions: Mananjeba, Besaboba, Ankarana. Many grottos have not been fully investigated.
Ankara in Madagascar is dominated by an arid tropical climate. From December to March in the park there are rains sometimes, but in the rest of the time - no. The maximum air temperature is kept at + 36 ° C, and the minimum temperature is + 14 ° C.
The national park has been a protected area since 1956. It is under the control and protection of the Office of Forestry and Water Resources of the country. This territory is often exposed to fires, deforestation of valuable tree species, illegal mining of sapphires. In addition, the aborigines hunt and graze livestock.
Fauna of the reserve
In the forests of Ankara there are a large number of various animals. Of them:
- amphibians and reptiles - 60 species;
- birds - 96 species;
- snails and molluscs - 50, they live in scurvy;
- bats - 14 (including the smallest and largest specimens on the planet).
If you wish to see the lemurs, then for this you should go early in the morning or from 15:00 to 17:00 to the Green Lake. Here you can meet a rare bird Lophotibus cristata. The flat-tailed gecko lives on trees at an altitude of 150-170 cm, and the Nile crocodile lives in the cave of the same name.
Flora of the National Park
In the territory of Ankara there are about 330 different plants, which often bloom in autumn. The maximum variety of flora is observed in the lowlands and gorges of forests.
The most interesting are trees such as endemic baobab and camphor, as well as a unique ebony. They grow on limestone scurvy.
What else is the park famous for?
On the territory of Ankara, indigenous people live in small villages. In the settlements you can get acquainted with local traditions and culture , try national dishes or buy souvenirs.
In the National Park there is a unique place where 3 rivers drain into one large pit. This is the beginning of a long underground labyrinth from the raging stream of water flowing into a common reservoir. During the rains a huge funnel with depth up to 10 m is formed here.
Features of visiting the reserve
When going on a trip to the National Park, do not forget to bring light clothing, strong shoes, a hat with large fields and water. In the reserve there are places for camping.
On the territory of Ankara there is a private restaurant, where you can taste delicious local dishes. There is also a grocery store, a bank and a medical care center.
For the convenience of tourists created and equipped with a variety of sightseeing routes. They are designed for different complexity and duration. The passage of the longest of them lasts several days, for example, a journey through the cave system. True, they are only available from June to December - in the dry season.
The Ankarana National Park has 3 entrances: in the south-western, western and eastern parts. In each of them there is a separate travel company, where you can hire an English speaking guide, get the necessary information about the tour or routes. Here also rent cars and camping equipment.
The cost of admission for one day is $ 10 per person. Guide services are paid separately and depend on the route.
How to get there?
From the city of Antsiranana (also Diego-Suarez), you can reach the reserve by highway No. 6. The distance is about 100 km, but the road is bad, so the journey takes up to 4 hours.