Mananara Nord National Park

The Mananara Nord Biosphere Reserve is part of the global network of Biosphere Reserves. Launched in 1971, UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) encourages interdisciplinary research, training and demonstration on resource management. It helps to improve the understanding of biophysical, socio-economic and cultural factors that affect the environment, and to increase the participation of scientists in decisions about more efficient use of resources.

The Mananara Nord National Park is located in the Mananara Nord district of the Analanjirofo region, 280km north of Toamasina (Tamatave). The park is bounded by the Mananara river to the north, the Sandrakatsy river and Fotsialanana river to the west, the Anove river to the south and the Indian Ocean to the east.

How to get there

By road from Antananarivo to Toamasina on RN2, then Toamasina to Mananara Nord on RN5. There is a paved road from Toamasina to Soanierano Ivongo and thereafter a secondary road from Soanierano Ivongo to Mananara. The roads are assesible all year round, but in poor condition. The total travel time from Antananarivo to the park is two to three days.

By taxi brousse from Antananarivo (Ambodivona bus station) to Toamasina and then from Toamasina (Tanambao V bus station) to Mananara.

By boat from Mananara to the park (1-1.5 hour by speadboat, 3-4 hours by slow boat), or from Antanambe to the park (45 minutes by speadboat). From Soanierana Ivongo or Sainte Marie to Mananara it takes 5 hours by boat respectively.

Toamasina