Parc National de Ranamofana is one of Madagascar’s most biodiverse protected areas. It protects 160-square-miles of lushly forested slopes bisected by a surfaced trunk road offering good accessibility. A dozen lemur species include the Critically Endangered golden bamboo lemur, the discovery of which in 1986 led to the park’s creation five years later. Other wildlife in Ranamofana includes 115 bird, 98 amphibian and 58 reptile species.  

Discover Parc National de Ranamofana

The national park is named after the village of Ranamofana (literally ‘Hot Water’), where a spring-fed thermal bath complex founded in the colonial era is still operational today. A network of guided day trails offers a good opportunity to see Milne-Edward’s sifaka, black-and-white ruffed lemur, red-fronted brown lemur, red-bellied lemur and three types of bamboo lemur. In addition,  guided three-hour kayaking trips on the forest-fringed Namorona River offer a refreshing change of pace from hiking and driving. The boat trips are also rewarding to birdwatchers.

The Famoiva Weaving Cooperative in Ranomafana produces wonderful cotton items on site using traditional looms. It also sells silk scarves from Soatanana.

With its well-labelled collection of indigenous trees, the Arboretum Ranomafana is an enjoyable place for a self-guided walk. It hosts several Critically Endangered plants, most notably the only wild specimen of what might be the world’s rarest tree: the palm Dypsis robusta.

Night tours out of Kianjavato Research Station, 35 miles from Ranomafana, offer the best chance of seeing the bizarre nocturnal aye-aye in the wild.