Montagne d'Ambre National Park

Montagne d'Ambre is a volcanic massif that catches enough rain to hold montane rainforest in a region that is otherwise dry, so the park works as an island of green with its own set of species. Well-made trails lead to the Sacred Waterfall, the Cascade Antomboka and two crater lakes, and the walking is easy by Malagasy standards, on graded paths under tall forest. The draw for many is Brookesia, the leaf chameleons, including some of the smallest reptiles in the world at little more than a fingernail, which guides find in the leaf litter. Crowned and Sanford's brown lemurs are common, and the bird list is strong. Temperatures are noticeably cooler than the coast, and mist through the canopy is normal in the mornings.

What you actually see

• Leaf chameleons - Brookesia species barely larger than a fingernail.
• Waterfalls - the Sacred Waterfall and Cascade Antomboka.
• Crater lakes - still water in old volcanic craters.
• Crowned lemurs - troops along the main trails.

When to go

April to November for drier trails; the forest is wet at any time and mornings are misty. December to March brings heavy rain. Early morning gives the best wildlife activity and the clearest light.

Honest expectations

It rains here even in the dry season and paths are slippery. The smallest chameleons need a guide's eye to find at all. It is cool and damp rather than tropical, and warm layers are needed. The park is close to Diego Suarez and gets day-trippers, so early starts are quieter.

Nearby

Diego Suarez lies north; Tsingy Rouge is northeast.