Ankarana National Park

The Ankarana National Park is located in the Diana region in the northern part of Madagascar. The park 108 kilometres south of Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) and about 20 kilometres north of Ambilobe. The four rural disctricts of Marivorahona, Anivorano, Ambondrona and Antsaravibe surround the park. From Antsiranana it takes between two and three hours by taxi-brousse to reach the main entrance on the east-side at Mahamasina on the RN6.

Ankarana National Park has a total area of 18,225ha and an altitude of 206m. The predominant climate is dry tropical with an annual rainfall below 2,000mm. Most of the rain falls in January. The dry season lasts from April to November. March is the hottest month with a maximum temperature of 36.2°C and June with a minimum temperature of 13.5°C the coldest.

The topography of Ankarana is characterised by limestone emerging from basaltic plains 50m above sea level, forming the Tsingy (limestone karst pinnacles). Numerous caves, canyons and underground streams traverse the massif.