Ranomafana National Park

Ranomafana exists because of a lemur: the golden bamboo lemur was discovered here in the 1980s, and the rainforest around it was protected as a national park soon after. It is now part of the UNESCO-listed Rainforests of the Atsinanana, a steep, dripping, mossy world of montane forest cut by the Namorona river, home to a dozen lemur species, chameleons in absurd variety, and frogs that make the night walks along the park boundary as good as the day treks. The village takes its name from the hot springs that surface here, and a soak after a muddy day in the forest is a local tradition.

What you actually see

• Golden and greater bamboo lemurs - the rare species the park was created for.
• Night walks - chameleons, mouse lemurs and frogs along the roadside forest.
• The Namorona river - waterfalls and gorge views inside the park.
• The hot springs - the thermal pools that gave the village its name.

When to go

The drier months from April to November make trails manageable, though this is rainforest and rain is possible any day. September to November brings the most active wildlife and newborn lemurs. December to March is the cyclone and heavy rain season.

Honest expectations

Trails are steep, slippery and often muddy - proper boots and a rain jacket are not optional. Guides are compulsory and their skill varies; asking for one experienced with lemur tracking pays off. Leeches appear after rain. Sightings are real but not guaranteed, and dense canopy makes photography hard. Night walks happen outside the park boundary, since the park closes after dark.

Nearby

Fianarantsoa, the Haute Ville old town and the RN7 route toward Isalo.