Rainforests of the Atsinanana

The Rainforests of the Atsinanana are a serial World Heritage property on Madagascar’s eastern seaboard that protect remaining tracts of humid lowland and montane rainforest. The forests are recognised for their exceptionally high levels of endemic biodiversity, including many species of lemur and plants.

The sites contain a range of forest types from coastal lowlands up to highland ridges, with dense canopy, numerous endemic trees and important habitats for threatened fauna. Trails, lookouts and guided treks provide access in some parks, where visitors can see lemurs, chameleons and a high diversity of orchids and other plants.

The protected blocks were established and managed as national parks and reserves during the 20th and early 21st centuries to conserve unique Malagasy biodiversity and ecosystems. Over time the areas have been subject to varying protection regimes and have faced recurring pressures from resource extraction and land use change.

Geographically the property runs along Madagascar’s eastern escarpment and coastal strip, centred on the island’s east coast several hundred kilometres north and south of the capital Antananarivo. The landscape is steep and wet, with rivers flowing from the highlands to the Indian Ocean.

• Biodiversity importance: Occupies stretches of eastern Madagascar rainforest that are a global centre of endemism, with many plant and animal species found nowhere else.
• Conservation concerns: Conservation status is fragile due to threats such as logging, agricultural encroachment and invasive species; parts have been listed as endangered in the past.

The Rainforests of the Atsinanana are a dispersed World Heritage property along Madagascar’s east coast (several protected parks and reserves). Access depends on the specific park: some sites are reached by road from regional towns (for example Toamasina), others require domestic flights (for example to Maroantsetra) followed by boat transfers along the coast. Travel to these rainforest parks typically involves a mix of road travel, boat crossings and trekking - arrangements, local guides and park permits are normally required and should be organised in advance from major Malagasy hubs (Antananarivo, Toamasina or regional airports).

• Plan travel in the dry season (roughly April-November) to avoid cyclone season and easier access; a number of the protected areas included in the Atsinanana block are difficult to reach in heavy rains.
• Arrange permits, park fees and local guides well before arrival-access to each constituent park is managed locally and most trekking or boat transfers (for coastal reserves) require prior booking with regional operators.
• Focus on one or two parks per trip (for example Masoala or Marojejy) rather than trying to visit the whole Atsinanana serial property; logistics are remote and travel times between sites are substantial.