Andohahela National Park

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.

• 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.