Andohahela National Park
Park Dry-to-rainforest national park with striking biodiversity transitions
Andohahela National Park spans rainforest to spiny forest in southeastern Madagascar; visitors choose guided hikes to see distinct plant communities, lemurs and species adapted to dry, thorny environments.
Andohahela National Park in southeastern Madagascar protects an unusually wide range of habitats, from humid eastern rainforest on its eastern flank to dry spiny forest in the south. This ecological gradient makes the park important for conserving species from distinct biomes within a single protected area.
Visitors experience diverse landscapes including dense rainforest, dry deciduous and spiny scrub, and wildlife ranges accordingly from forest-dwelling lemurs and reptiles to species adapted to drier habitats. The park contains trails and camps used for scientific work and regulated tourism.
The park was established to conserve the unique juxtaposition of forest types and their endemic species and is managed within Madagascar’s national protected-area system.
Andohahela lies in the far southeast of Madagascar near the city of Tolagnaro (Fort Dauphin) and covers remote terrain that is accessed via regional roads and organized field logistics.
- Habitat transition: The park uniquely protects a transition from humid eastern rainforest to the dry spiny forest of southern Madagascar, offering a wide range of habitats in one protected area.
- Access: Access is commonly organised from the coastal town of Tolagnaro (Fort Dauphin) and requires road or boat travel depending on the chosen sector of the park.
What to See #
- Eastern rainforest and southern spiny forest zones: Lowland rainforest in the eastern sector and drier spiny forest in southern sectors, providing a rare transition between major vegetation types.
- Trails and camps: A series of named trails and camps used for biodiversity surveys and visitor access that cross the park's varied habitats.
Tips for Visiting Andohahela National Park #
- Access Andohahela most easily from Tôlanaro (Fort Dauphin) - use it as your base and arrange park transfers there, since the park spans both humid eastern forest and dry southern spiny forest sectors.
- Plan visits in the dry season (roughly April-November) to avoid rivers rising and track closures; exploring both the eastern and western park sectors reveals the sharp ecosystem transitions most visitors miss.
- Book park guides and transport from Fort Dauphin and allow extra time for single-track roads and vehicle transfers; staying at a nearby lodge reduces rushed day returns and gives better dawn/dusk wildlife opportunities.
Best Time to Visit Andohahela National Park #
Visit in the dry season (May-October) for the most reliable hiking and access across the park's differing ecosystems.
Weather & Climate near Andohahela National Park #
Andohahela National Park's climate is classified as Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) - Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) climate with mild summers (peaking in January) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 7°C to 23°C. Abundant rainfall (1156 mm/year), wettest in December.
January
January is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (200 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Significant rainfall (181 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Significant rainfall (136 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm).
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. The driest month with just 28 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm).
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November
November is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (120 mm).
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December
December is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (211 mm) and partly cloudy skies.