Ankarana Special ReserveAbout 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.
Best Time to Visit Ankarana Special Reserve
Visit during the dry season (May-October) for easier access and safer exploration of caves and limestone formations.
Weather & Climate near Ankarana Special Reserve
Ankarana Special Reserve's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 18°C to 33°C. Abundant rainfall (1798 mm/year), wettest in January with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 23° - 31° | 30° | 462 mm | overcast | 81% | 2.4 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.7h |
| February | Acceptable | 23° - 31° | 31° | 431 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.3 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.4h |
| March | Good | 24° - 32° | 32° | 284 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 2.4 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.1h |
| April | Very Good | 23° - 32° | 31° | 112 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 2.5 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 11.7h |
| May | Excellent | 21° - 32° | 27° | 22 mm | some cloud | 72% | 2.9 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.4h |
| June | Ideal | 19° - 31° | 25° | 20 mm | some cloud | 70% | 3.1 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.2h |
| July | Ideal | 18° - 30° | 24° | 15 mm | some cloud | 68% | 3.0 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.3h |
| August | Ideal | 19° - 31° | 25° | 16 mm | some cloud | 68% | 3.9 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.6h |
| September | Ideal | 20° - 32° | 26° | 16 mm | some cloud | 67% | 4.5 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 11.9h |
| October | Excellent | 21° - 33° | 29° | 38 mm | some cloud | 68% | 3.7 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.3h |
| November | Very Good | 23° - 33° | 31° | 101 mm | partly cloudy | 70% | 3.3 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.6h |
| December | Good | 23° - 33° | 31° | 281 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 2.5 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.8h |
How to Get to Ankarana Special Reserve
Ankarana Special Reserve is reached by road from towns on Madagascar’s north coast - the RN6 connects Antsiranana (Diego‑Suárez) and Ambilobe, and visitors typically travel by 4x4 from Ambilobe or nearby villages to the reserve entrances. Local guides and drivers operate transfers from Ambilobe/Anivorano to the park’s trailheads.
Tips for Visiting Ankarana Special Reserve
- Visit Ankarana during the dry season (May-October) so cave systems and trails are safer and easier to navigate; many caves can flood in the rains.
- Hire a local, licensed guide at the reserve entrance and start early on the popular tsingy circuits to avoid mid-day heat and the brief crowds that form at the best viewpoints.
- Don't skip the subterranean passages and bat caves - visitors who stick only to the skyline tsingy routes miss large cave chambers and endemic cave fauna unique to Ankarana.