“Welcome to the heart of Madagascar’s wild north: the Analamerana Special Reserve, kingdom of giant baobab trees and ultimate sanctuary for the world’s rarest sifaka.”

In the far north of Madagascar, where dry, rocky land meets dense forest and swamps, lies Analamerana, one of the country’s most iconic reserves. Created in 1956, it protects 34,700 hectares of unique ecosystems, from baobab valleys to secret canyons, and is home to species found nowhere else on Earth.

This reserve, a mosaic of dry deciduous forests (42.5% of the area!), mangroves, and wetlands, is a dream come true for naturalists and adventurers. Here, biodiversity has adapted to extreme conditions, giving rise to some of Madagascar’s most unique flora and fauna.

Key figures

🗺️ Area: 34,700 hectares (almost twice the size of Paris).

🌳 Dense dry deciduous forest: approximately 14,700 hectares, or 42.5% of the reserve, with 140 plant species (85% endemic).

🌴 Three unique species of baobab trees, including Adansonia suareziensis (the giant of the north, EN), Adansonia perrieri, and Adansonia madagascariensis.

🐒 Nine species of lemurs, the stars of which are Propithecus perrieri (Akomba joby), one of the most endangered primates on the planet (CR), Hapalemur occidentalis (northern bamboo lemur), Eulemur coronatus (crowned lemur, EN) and Lepilemur septentrionalis (fitsidika, CR).

🦜 79 species of birds (including the famous Van Dam’s Vanga, Xenopirostris damii).

🦎 32 species of reptiles.

🐸 12 species of amphibians.

🐾 10 small mammals.

🌺 And a host of endemic plants (Coffea saharenanensis, Eugenia analameranensis, etc.).

History

The Analamerana forest had already attracted the attention of the colonial administration even before Madagascar's independence. Indeed, the process of its creation defined under Decree n°56-208 of February 20, 1956, a Special Reserve under the management of Eaux et Forêts (DEF), through the Triangle Forestier d'Anivorano-Nord.

https://parcs-madagascar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/P1000648-min.jpg

Landscapes / Habitats

🌄 Relief of plateaus, valleys, hills, canyons, and rocky areas
🌳 Dry deciduous forests covering 42.5% of the reserve
🌾 Xerophytic formations, savannas, shrublands
💧 Presence of mangroves, wetlands, swamps, temporary rivers
🪨 Sandy soils and rocky outcrops

https://parcs-madagascar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/P1000667-min.jpg

Fauna

🐒 9 species of lemurs: Propithecus perrieri (Perrier's sifaka), Eulemur coronatus, Hapalemur occidentalis, Lepilemur septentrionalis, Microcebus rufus, Cheirogaleus medius, Phaner furcifer, Mirza coquereli, Avahi occidentalis
🦜 79 bird species recorded
🦎 32 reptile species
🐸 12 amphibian species
🐾 Small mammals: ten referenced

https://parcs-madagascar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/P1000750-407x342.jpg

Flora

🌳 Dry deciduous forests and xerophytic formations
🌴 Three species of baobab trees: Adansonia suarezensis, Adansonia perrieri, Adansonia madagascariensis
🌿 Hazomalania voyronii, Dalbergia spp., Diospyros spp., Commiphora spp., Euphorbia spp., Boswellia spp., Coffea saharenanensis, Eugenia analameranensis
🌾 Savannas, mangroves, wetlands, swamps
🍀 More than 140 plant species, 85% of which are endemic

⚠️Major pressures

Beneath its picture-perfect landscapes, Analamerana faces very real threats.

Bush fires

Fires are a recurring problem, exacerbated by drought and local practices. The goal is to have zero forest fires within the next few years.

Selective logging

Precious species such as Dalbergia spp and Diospyros spp (CITES II) are highly sought after. Despite efforts, logging remains difficult to eradicate, but progress is visible.

🚧Other pressures

Selective clearing (0.47 ha in 2024)
Wood carbonization
Poaching (no cases of lemur hunting reported in 2024)

“Land of baobab trees, refuge of Perrier”

Preserving the exceptional, restoring the future

Biodiversity Conservation

💚 Defend the forest, preserve life

With 26,413 hectares of preserved forest, Analamerana shows encouraging stability:

Zero deforestation in the Core Zone

Goal achieved: zero lemur hunting

70% reduction in logging compared to previous peaks

Intensified community awareness and patrols

💪 Here, vigilance is constant. Every tree standing is a victory!

Success story

In 2024, despite pressure, the Reserve preserved more than 99.98% of its forest cover. A model of resilience!

Co-management, development and safeguarding

🏘️ With communities, for communities

Thanks to joint management with CLPs, COSAP, and civil society (AVG, Grain de Vie):

Awareness-raising in riverside villages

Joint patrols

Community management of peripheral forests

Success story

Selective logging has fallen by 70%, proving that local involvement is the best defense for nature.

Governance and management

🔬 Nature, a place for adventure and learning

Ecotourism is on the rise, with a great opportunity to be seized:

Nature observation, seasonal birdwatching

Tours around giant baobab trees, karst landscapes, and canyons

Current infrastructure:

Administrative office and reception in Anivorano Nord

Road access possible via Ankarongana, Sahafary, or motorcycle trail via Maromokotra

Success story

In 2023, the economic benefits for local residents more than doubled, rising from 78,000 to 154,450 Ariary.

Awareness and accountability

🔍 Analamerana: Visible, credible, responsible

Transparent and rigorous:

Deforestation data shared annually

Activities co-validated by partners COSAP, CLP, AVG, MEDD

Collaboration with Grain de Vie for community restoration projects

Recent key figures

📊 Key figures for 2024

🪵 26,413 hectares of forest preserved
🌳 0.47 hectares of forest loss (peripheral area)
🦧 0 cases of lemur hunting
💰 +$154,000 in benefits for local residents
🛡️ 70% reduction in selective logging
🐦 79 bird species, 9 lemurs, 32 reptiles

Current projects and outlook for 2025

Preservation

🔬Enhanced monitoring of Propithecus perrieri

💪Intensification of fire and logging control

Co-management, Development Support, and Preservation

🛡️Greater involvement of young people and women in patrols

📚 Establishment of inter-community dialogue platforms

Sustainable tourism

🐦Development of a mini eco-tourism circuit (baobab trees + birdwatching)

🏘️Improvement of access and accommodation

Partnerships

💰Development of a welcome plan with the DIANA region

🪵New collaboration planned with universities for wildlife monitoring

KFW

Fund Madagascar National Parks' five-year strategic plan to ensure the sustainable management of marine and terrestrial protected areas.

FAPBM

Ensure sustainable financing and effective management of PAs by supporting biodiversity conservation while involving local communities

On the plan

Area 34700 ha

VISIT US

Depending on your means of transport :

Ground Transportation
🚗 Direct access via the RN6
Take the RN4 from Antananarivo to Ambondromamy, then the RN6 from Ambondromamy or Diego Suarez to reach:
🛣️Sahafary in Analamerana: 25km (accessible by car)
🛣️Sadjaovato - Ankarongana –Analamerana: 25km (accessible by car to Ankarongana, approximately 11km)
🛣️ Anivorano Nord to Analamerana: 20km (track: accessible by motorcycle)
🛣️Maromokotra Loky-Analamerana: 38 km (track: accessible by motorcycle)
Maritime transport
🛳️ No maritime access
Air transport
✈️ No flights

🌿 Activities available in Analamerana
🥾 Hiking
🦜 Bird watching
🚶‍♂️ Nature excursions
🏕️ Reception facilities
🏠 Reception office: Located in Anivorano-Nord
💰 Fees and rates
📄 Consult all rights and rates applicable to the reserve in the reference document below.
Download the document
ℹ️ Essential information
To make the most of your visit, bring:
🥾 Appropriate clothing: hiking boots, light but covering clothing
🔭 Binoculars: ideal for observing animals from a distance
💧 Useful accessories: water bottle, hat, sunglasses

Your opinion is important to us

Analamerana

“Welcome to the heart of Madagascar’s wild north: the Analamerana Special Reserve, kingdom of giant baobab trees and ultimate sanctuary for the world’s rarest sifaka.”

Key figures

History

Landscapes / Habitats

Fauna

Flora

⚠️Major pressures

🚧Other pressures

“Land of baobab trees, refuge of Perrier”

Biodiversity Conservation

💚 Defend the forest, preserve life

Co-management, development and safeguarding

🏘️ With communities, for communities

Governance and management

🔬 Nature, a place for adventure and learning

Awareness and accountability

🔍 Analamerana: Visible, credible, responsible

Recent key figures

📊 Key figures for 2024

Current projects and outlook for 2025

Preservation

Co-management, Development Support, and Preservation

Sustainable tourism

Partnerships

On the plan

VISIT US

🌿 Activities available in Analamerana

🏕️ Reception facilities

💰 Fees and rates

ℹ️ Essential information

Discover our National Parks and Reserves.

Madagascar National Parks

Useful links