Ankarana Special Reserve

Ankarana Special Reserve in northern Madagascar protects a limestone karst massif known for its dense tsingy pinnacles, deep caves and network of canyons. The reserve is recognised for its dramatic geology and endemic biodiversity.

Key attractions are the tsingy labyrinths, long cave passages and vertical-walled sinkholes that can be traversed on marked trails and via guided routes; the area also supports forested valleys and rivers that harbor lemurs, reptiles and a variety of birds and bats.

The reserve was established to conserve the unique karst landscape and its ecological communities and is managed as a protected area by Madagascar’s conservation authorities. Local guides are widely used to navigate the complex terrain and to interpret geological and biological features.

Ankarana occupies a region of northern Madagascar in Diana Region and is accessed from regional towns and roads that serve the northern highlands and coastal areas.

• Terrain and safety: The reserve is characterised by dramatic karst landscape and caves; sturdy footwear and a guide are recommended for safe exploration.
• Wildlife viewing: Wildlife includes species adapted to karst and forest habitats, with opportunities to see lemurs, reptiles and cave-dwelling bats on guided walks.

What to See #

• Tsingy formations: Areas of sharp limestone pinnacles and eroded karst known locally as tsingy, offering labyrinthine walking routes and viewpoints.
• Caves and sinkholes: Extensive cave systems and sinkholes with underground rivers and notable bat populations that are accessible by marked trails and guided visits.
• Canyons and river valleys: River valleys and wooded canyons that sustain endemic flora and fauna, and serve as corridors for species movement through the reserve.