Isalo National Park
Isalo National Park, located in the southern part of Madagascar and 700km (435 miles) southwest of the capital Antananarivo, features a unique rock landform formed in the Jurassic Period (about 200 to 145 million years ago) and luxuriant primitive forests where endemic animals including lemurs and lizards live. With its reputation as the “No. 1 Geopark in Madagascar”, the Isalo National Park has attracted adventurers, nature lovers, and other tourists to enjoy the beauty of wilderness and rich biodiversity here.What to Do in Isalo National Park
Appreciate Unique Rock Landform
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View Lemurs and Other Endemic Animals
In addition to the unusual rock scenery, a vast area of lush primitive forests will amaze you during your visit here. The forests are natural habitats for 77 species of birds and 39 species of reptiles. Madagascan unique animals including lemurs, tular golden frogs, and flatid bug nymphs all live here harmoniously. The ring-tailed lemur has a special tail with 11 to 12 staggered black and white rings and it opens its arms to bask in sunshine. The sifaka lemur is good at jumping and it walks sideways. The tular golden frog has golden skin on its back and blue legs. The flatid bug nymph has a small body whose color is as bright as petals.
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Feast Your Eyes with Exotic Plants
A total of 400 species of plants grow in the Isalo National Park, making the park a large botanical garden. Succulent aloes, spiky cactuses, and tall palm trees dot the rock landform. Vontaka is an endemic plant that you can find in the park. It has green leaves on its top and bright yellow flowers. With a bottle-shaped stem, Vontaka looks like a tiny baobab, another endemic plant in Madagascar, and adapts to an arid environment. You can also find some medicinal plants in the park.Swim in Natural Pools and Watch Waterfalls
Two natural pools respectively in blue and black await you to swim in, and a sense of coolness and tranquility can be gained during your swimming. By the pool, green plants grow and their leaves extend. The pools look like pieces of turquoise jewelry, sparking shining light. In addition, waterfalls pour down and flood into the pools, making a pleasant sound. All these water views will offer you an incomparable experience.
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Ten Eco-tourism Circuits for You to Explore the Park
To fully enjoy the charm of the park, you can choose one out of ten eco-tourism circuits provided by the park. Their prices vary depending on difficulty and duration. Here are their content:
1. Circuit Piscine NaturelleHighlights: The most popular circuit including a natural swimming pool, waterfalls, vast grassland, and an ancient graveyard. You can meet lemurs, learn about local culture, and see natural scenery in one circuit.
Length and Duration: A 3-kilometer-long (2 miles) car ride and a 3-hour-long trek.
2. Circuit Via Ferrata
Highlights: A panoramic view of the unique rock landform can be obtained and Via Ferrata is contained.
Length: 27 kilometers (17 miles) including a 750-meter-long (0.5 miles) steep Via Ferrata route.
Duration: 1 day.
3. Circuit VTT
Highlights: Ride a bike to enjoy the beauty of grassland, a botanical garden, and geological relics.
Length: 30 kilometers (19 miles).
Duration: Half to 1 Day.
4. Circuit Grand Circuit VTT
Highlights: Ride a bike to pass through forests, watch lakes with wild ducks, and explore caves. The botanical garden and geological relics are contained.
Length: 80 kilometers (50 miles).
Duration: 2-day-long circuit with camping.
5. Circuit Malaso
Highlights: Visit a botanical garden with aloes and kalanchoe, view lemurs, and step on the highest viewing platform in the park.
Length: A 42-kilometer-long (26 miles) car ride and a 2-kilometer-long (1 mile) trek.
Duration: 4 hours
6. Circuit Anjofo
Highlights: See orchids, birds, lemurs, and waterfalls, and watch farmers plant rice.
Length: A 29-kilometer-long (18 miles) car ride and a 5-kilometer-long (3 miles) trek.
Duration: 5 hours.
7. Circuit Antsifotra
Highlights: A combination of waterfalls, graveyards, and animals including lemurs, birds, and butterflies.
Length: A 29-kilometer-long car ride and a 5-kilometer-long trek.
Duration: 5 hours.
8. Circuit Canyon des Makis et des Rats
Highlights: A panoramic view of farmland, cliffs, canyons, and plateaus. View endemic plants and animals.
Length: A 17-kilometer-long (11 miles) car ride and a 1.7-kilometer-long (1 mile) trek.
Duration: 2.5 hours.
9. Circuit Cascade de Nymphes-Piscine noire et bleue
Highlights: A blue or black pool, waterfalls, and animals.
Length: A 3-kilometer-long car ride or a 3-kilometer-long trek.
Duration: 3 hours.
10. Circuit Crete
Highlights: Different landforms, a botanical garden, and an ancient graveyard.
Length: A 4-kilometer-long (2.5 miles) trek.
Duration: 2.5 hours.
How to Get to Isalo National Park
1. It takes about 15 hours by car from the capital Antananarivo to Ranohira, a town southwest of the park.2. If by plane, you need to first fly from Antananarivo to Toliara, a town on the west coast of Madagascar, and then you can take a car for 4 hours to Ranohira, or you can spend 15,000 MGA to take a bus at Sanfily, a station near Toliara.
3. It takes 35,000 MGA by bus from Fasan'ny karana, a station near Antananarivo, to the park.
Ticket Fare: 65,000 MGA for an adult and 25,000 MGA for a child, without an additional guide fee. A guide is a must during the exploration. Note: Please wear a hat and a pair of sneakers, and take plenty of drinking water.