“Welcome to one of Madagascar’s last wild sanctuaries: Andringitra National Park, where the rocks touch the clouds and life clings to the humid valleys and granite ridges.”

Straddling Haute Matsiatra and Ihorombe, Andringitra covers 31,160 hectares of impressive domes and peaks, steep cliffs, and hidden valleys. Here, the Big Island reveals its most contrasting nature: dense rainforests in the east, high-altitude grasslands and savannahs in the west, and a succession of microclimates that forge a mosaic of unique landscapes.

This natural sanctuary protects exceptional ecosystems—dense rainforest, sclerophyllous forest, mountain thickets—and is home to one of the highest concentrations of endemic and endangered species in the country. Rare orchids, high-altitude palms, elusive reptiles, and above all, iconic lemurs: Milne-Edwards’ sifaka, golden bamboo lemur, ring-tailed lemur, and the very rare Eulemur cinereiceps.

Key figures :

🗺️ Andringitra covers 31,160 hectares and rises to the summit of Pic Boby at an altitude of 2,658 meters: the accessible roof of Madagascar, where even the clouds run out of steam upon arrival.

🌳 Nearly half of the park is covered by natural forests, including 8,844 hectares of dense mid-altitude rainforest, 2,860 hectares of dense low-altitude rainforest, and 2,194 hectares of mountain sclerophyllous forest.

🐒 At least 10 species of lemurs, including Lemur catta, Eulemur cinereiceps, Hapalemur aureus, Prolemur simus, Propithecus edwardsi, and Microcebus rufus.

🦜 Remarkable birdlife: Newtonia de Fanovana, Sharpe’s rock thrush, Tachybaptus pelzelnii, and dozens of endemic species.

🦎 Frogs, geckos, and chameleons: Boophis andringitra, Phelsuma andringitraensis, Mantella baroni, Uroplatus ebenaui.

🌺 Over 100 endemic plant species: Disa andringitrana (orchid), Aloe andringitrensis, Pachypodium andringitraense, Ravenea glauca.

📅 Andringitra National Park has existed since 1927 and has been recognized as a national park since 1998.

🚗 Access is via the RN7, turning off at Ambalavao or Tanambao, then 47 km of track to Namoly or 60 km to Morarano. An off-road vehicle is recommended, especially during the rainy season.

Landscapes / Habitats

🌄 Mountain ranges, peaks (Pic Boby), deep valleys, plateaus
🌳 Dense low- and mid-altitude rainforests, sclerophyllous forests, mountain thickets
🌾 High-altitude grasslands, savannas, rocky moors, transition zones
💧 Rivers, streams, temporary marshes
🪨 Granitic soils, rocky outcrops, cliffs, erratic boulders

Fauna

🐒 10 species of lemurs, including Lemur catta, Eulemur cinereiceps, Propithecus edwardsi, Hapalemur aureus, Microcebus rufus
🦜 Notable birds: Newtonia de Fanovana, Sharpe's rock thrush, Tachybaptus pelzelnii
🦎 Reptiles: Boophis andringitra, Phelsuma andringitraensis, Mantella baroni, Uroplatus ebenaui
🦇 Bats, small mammals

Flora

🌳 Natural forests covering nearly half of the park
🌿 8,844 hectares of dense mid-altitude rainforest, 2,860 hectares of dense low-altitude rainforest, 2,194 hectares of mountain sclerophyllous forest
🌸 Over 100 endemic plant species (Disa andringitrana, Aloe andringitrensis, Pachypodium andringitraense, Ravenea glauca)
🌵 Palm trees, orchids, ferns, high-altitude grasses