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Isalo National Park was founded in 1962 and is administrated by [[Madagascar National Parks]] since 1997. The park is situated along the [[RN7]], a tarred road connecting the capital of [[Antananarivo]] with [[Tulear]]. The road is in very good condition and accessible all year round. The route from Antananarivo to [[Ranohira]], also known as the "door to Isalo", takes about 15 hours by car (701km). From Tulear to Ranohira is a 4-hour drive (250km). It is also possible to travel by [[taxi-brousse]], which leave daily from Fasan’ny Karana station in Antananarivo, Antsimo station in [[Fianarantsoa]] and Sanfily station in Tulear.
The park spreads over an area of 81,540 hectares, with an average length of 59 kilometres and an average width of 22 kilometres. The perimeter of the park is 164 kilometres. The altitude varies between 514 metres and 1,268 metres and some of the canyons are up to 200 metres deep.
=== Mammals ===
* 14 species of lemurs can be found in the park, of which are 8 introduced and 7 endemic to Madagascar. The following lemurs are nocturnal (active at night): Coquerel's giant mouse lemur (''Mirza coquereli''), Red-tailed sportive lemur (''Lepilemur ruficaudatus''), Western fat-tailed dwarf lemur (''Cheirogaleus medius'') and the Grey mouse lemur (''Microcebus murinus''). The Verreaux's sifaka ("Propithecus verreauxi"), Ring-tailed lemur ("Lemur catta") and Brown lemur ("Eulemur fulvus") are diurnal (day active).
* Carnivores: Small Indian civet (''Viverricula indica''), Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) and the Malagasy civet ("Fossa fossana").
* Insectivores: Lesser hedgehog tenrec ("Echinops telfairi).
== Flora ==
In the Isalo National Park grow more than 400 plant speciesgrow. The following plants are endemic to Madagascar:
* ''Pachypodium rosulatum'' - [[Elephant's Foot Plant]] of the Apocynaceae family
* ''Catharantus ovalis'' - medicinal plant, endemic to the Ihorombe region and the entire plain of Zomandao
