Andohahela National Park

Andohahela National Park is one of the few places in Madagascar where three major habitat types meet: eastern rainforest, dry forest and southern spiny forest. Located near Tolagnaro/Fort‑Dauphin, it protects a striking ecological gradient, from humid slopes cloaked in tree ferns to spiny savannas dotted with baobabs and Didiereaceae.

Little visited and quite wild, Andohahela National Park offers an off‑the‑beaten‑track experience for travellers who venture into the south‑east: strong landscape contrasts, lemurs of both humid and dry forests, and a unique transition between the green east and the arid south.

Geography and landscape of the park

Andohahela National Park lies in the Anosy region, west of Tolagnaro/Fort‑Dauphin, and is divided into several blocks (parcels):

• Parcel I (Malio): montane rainforest on the eastern slopes of the Anosy range.
• Parcels II & III (Ihazofotsy – Tsimelahy): dry and spiny forests further west.

Key features:

• Total area over 70,000 ha (multiple blocks).
• Altitude from a few hundred metres up to over 1,500 m in the mountains.
• Very humid climate on the eastern side (heavy rain, mists) and semi‑arid on the western side (marked dry season).
• Landscapes ranging from rainforest with waterfalls and clear rivers to more open, arid woodlands and spiny thicket.

Trails and circuits

Access to different parcels combines 4×4 tracks and hiking, always with a local guide:

• Malio (rainforest):
  • Half‑day to full‑day hikes in montane forest to see waterfalls, viewpoints and rich flora and fauna.
• Ihazofotsy – Tsimelahy (dry/spiny forest):
  • Shorter walks in dry and spiny forest to see baobabs, Didiereaceae and arid landscapes.

Trails can be steep and muddy in the humid block, and very exposed and hot in the dry block.

Wildlife

Thanks to its ecological gradients, Andohahela supports a varied fauna:

• Lemurs from both humid and dry/spiny forests (including sifakas, brown lemurs and others).
• Birds of eastern rainforest and those of savanna and dry forest.
• Reptiles and amphibians: chameleons, geckos, non‑venomous snakes and frogs in wetter areas.
• Small mammals such as tenrecs and endemic rodents.

Flora and vegetation

The vegetation of Andohahela National Park clearly reflects the east‑west transition:

• Montane rainforest (Malio): tall trees, tree ferns, mosses and orchids.
• Dry forest: deciduous trees with shrubby understorey.
• Spiny forest: Didiereaceae, euphorbias, aloes, baobabs and highly drought‑tolerant shrubs.

Ecological and cultural importance

• Conservation: Andohahela protects a unique ecological continuum between the humid east and arid south, critical for species resilience.
• Hydrological role: the montane rainforest feeds rivers used downstream by local communities and agriculture.
• Local communities: surrounding Antanosy and Antandroy communities have strong cultural ties to the mountains and forest, with fady (taboos) on certain peaks and sacred sites.

Conclusion

Less visited than other parks, Andohahela National Park is nonetheless one of the most interesting for understanding the diversity of landscapes in south‑eastern Madagascar. Between montane rainforest and spiny forest, it gives curious travellers a deep immersion into a rare ecological gradient where three of Madagascar’s iconic biomes meet.