Andohahela
National Park

About the protected area

Three parcelles, three worlds in one park

Andohahela National Park is situated in the Anosy Region, straddling the districts of Fort-Dauphin (Taolagnaro) and Amboasary-Sud. It is the only protected area in Madagascar — and one of very few in the world — to harbour dense humid evergreen forest south of the Tropic of Capricorn. It also encompasses a remarkable ecological transition zone between the eastern humid forest ecoregion and the southern arid zone, and constitutes a significant freshwater reservoir.

Originally created in 1939 as a Strict Nature Reserve, it was reclassified as a National Park in 2002. Its boundaries were revised in 2015 and the park is now divided into three distinct parcelles. The surrounding villages include Tsimelahy, Mangatsiaka, Malio, Ihazofotsy, and Manangotry.

More information on Madagascar's protected areas can be found at maison-de-madagascar.ch.

Infrastructure and Access

Via the RN13, from Taolagnaro westward

The park is accessed from the road between Taolagnaro and Ambovombe (RN13). For Parcelle I, turn north at Soanierana (13 km west of Taolagnaro) and continue 15 km north. For Parcelle II, turn north at Ankariera (47 km west of Taolagnaro) toward Ambatoabao and continue to Mangatsiaka (8 km); alternatively, take the road from Amboasary-Sud northward 35 km to Ihazofotsy. Parcelle III is located near the RN13, 8 km west of Ranopiso.

The park manager's main office is in Taolagnaro, with two operational offices at Fenoevo (Parcelle I) and Tranomaro (Parcelle II), and a guesthouse bureau at Ihazofotsy. Facilities in Parcelle II include an interpretation centre with an ecoshop and toilets at Ankazofotsy, two welcome posts at Mangatsiaka and Tsimelahy, two equipped campsites (tent shelters, kitchen area, dining shelter, fireplace, water, shower and toilets), and a guesthouse at Ihazofotsy.

Eight tourist circuits covering 70 km in total are available: Tsimelahy (3.1 km), Mangatsiaka (4 km), Manangotry (8 km), Malio (12 km), Ihazofotsy (2.5 km), Andohanomby (11 km), a cycling circuit (8 km), and the Talakifeno–Malio trek (25 km).

Fauna and Flora

Humid forest to spiny thicket, a spectrum of ecosystems

Each parcelle has its own distinct climate and vegetation, reflecting the park's exceptional ecological range.

Parcelle I is subject to the humid climate of the South-East: a rainy season from November to April, a cool season from June to August with minimum temperatures of 9.2 °C, and a hot season from December to February peaking at 31.4 °C (peaks also recorded between September and November). Its vegetation consists of dense humid evergreen forest, continuous with the forest massif stretching north to Befotaka-Midongy du Sud.

Parcelle II experiences a subarid South-East climate: cool season minimum of 10 °C and hot season peaks of 32.2 °C. Its vegetation is composed of dry spiny thicket on the northern and southern thirds, with a deforested centre and the Vohimainty Peak rising to 1,006 m.

Parcelle III is also subarid, with a cool season minimum of 11.1 °C and hot season peaks of 33 °C. Its vegetation consists of transitional formations between the eastern and southern ecoregions.

Culture and Heritage

Ancestral land, zebu and sacred forest

Several ethnic groups coexist within the protected area, each with distinct cultural practices. Two values are shared across all communities: the principle that land belongs to whoever clears it (forest), and a deep attachment to zebu cattle.

The Albizia sp. is the sole wood permitted for coffin-making. Tombs are found within the park, and one of the natural pools at Tsimelahy is considered sacred and is forbidden for bathing. The mountain of Ankebotsy is similarly off-limits due to the presence of tombs. The park's territory was once inhabited, and the area retains a rich oral tradition.