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The name Ankarafantsika comes from ''garafantsy'', meaning "mountain of thorns". The name is also connected with a crafty and scary man. The forests of Ankarafantsika were once market marked with terror and mystery due to [[Lake Ravelobe|Ravelobe]], a patriot living in the forests who became a bandit and robbed travellers.
Originally, two parks on both sides of RN4 formed the forest reserve of Ankarafantsika, before they were unified in 2002. Today, Ankarafantsika National Park covers an area of 135,000ha at an altitude of 250m. The highest peak is 350m. There are five major rivers running through the park. Several lakes, such as Tsimaloto, Ampijoroa, Antsimalo and Ankomakoma are the last refuges of native fish, aquatic birds and crocodiles. In addition, the lakes are shrines to the natives of the region. The landscape of the park is very alternating with different types of forests and savannas. A highlight of the park is the ''Lavaka of Ankarokaroka'', a lunar landscape born of massive erosion. Various endemic species live and grow in this sandy massif.