Isalo National Park

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The Isalo National Park is part of the Ranohira municipality in the Ihorombe region. The park is located 279 kilometres south of Fianarantsoa and 80 kilometres ... of Ihosy. The park is the most visited protected area in Madagascar and a popular highlight when discovering the Great South.

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.

The Isalo massif is a continental sandstone plateau, dating back to the Jurassic times. The park features various sandy valleys and narrow canyons. Strongly attacked by erosion, the rocks vary in shape and composition. The soil in the park is rich in iron and aluminium.

In the eastern part of the park, the following rivers flow from north to south: Marandra, Tsiombivoly, Andriamanero, Andranonkova and Namaza Ianakandrarezo, all small tributary rivers of the Menamaty, a tributary river of Mangoky. In the western part, the following rivers stream from north to south: Sambay, Amboloando, Ankademoky, Sakamalio, Hoanga, Vohibasia, Andranomena and Sambalahitsara Analakira, all of which are small tributary rivers of Malio, another tributary of the river Mangoky.

The climate is tropical dry, with an annual rainfall of 800-1000mm in the months of December to March and an average temperature of 17°C in June and 25°C in February.

Since centuries the Bara people dominate the Isalo region. Their main activities are livestock, especially zebu, and agriculture.

Fauna

Birds

There are 77 bird species living in the Isalo National Park, of which one is endemic to Madagascar, the Pseudocosyphus bensoni - Benson's rock thrush. The following species can be observed in the reserve:

Scientific name English name Malagasy name
Polyboroides radiatus Madagascar harrier-hawk Fihiaky
Buteo brachypterus Madagascar buzzard Bobaky
Falco newtoni Madagascan kestrel Hitikitiky
Numida meleagris Helmeted guineafowl Akanga
Streptopelia picturata Malagasy turtle dove Dehoky
Oena capensis Namaqua dove Tsakatoto
Treron australis Madagascar green pigeon Voronadabo
Coracopsis vasa Greater vasa parrot Sihotsy
Coracopsis nigra Lesser vasa parrot or Black parrot Sihotsy
Coua cristata Crested coua Tokambolo
Cuculus rochii Madagascar cuckoo or Madagascar lesser cuckoo Taotaokafa
Centropus toulou Malagasy coucal or Madagascan coucal Toloho
Corythornis vintsioides Malagasy kingfisher or Madagascar kingfisher Litotsy
Merops superciliosus Olive bee-eater or Madagascar bee-eater Kiriokirioky
Eurystomus glaucurus Broad-billed roller Tsararahaky
Leptosomus discolor Cuckoo roller or Courol Vorondreo
Upupa epops Hoopoe Tsakodara
Motacilla flaviventris Madagascar Wagtail Triotrio
Coracina cinerea Madagascar cuckooshrike Vorondavenoky
Hypsipetes madagascariensis Malagasy bulbul or Madagascar bulbul Menasony
Copsychus albospecularis Madagascar magpie-robin Fitatsy
Pseudocossyphus bensoni Benson's rock thrush Menatretraky
Cisticola cherina Madagascar cisticola Tity
Neomixis tenella Common jery Kininitsy
Neomixix striagulla Stripe-throated jery Kininitsy
Terpsiphone mutata Madagascar paradise-flycatcher Singetretry
Nectarinia souimanga Souimanga sunbird Sobita
Nectarinia notata Malagasy green sunbird Siangavola
Zosterops maderaspatanus Malagasy white-eye Tsiparimaso
Leptopterus chabert Chabert's vanga Fotsytretraky
Leptopterus viridis White-headed vanga Vorondaja
Vanga curvirostris Hook-billed vanga Bekapoaky
Dicrurus forficatus Crested drongo Ndovy
Corvus albus Pied crow Gaga
Foudia madagascariensis Red fody Fody
Lonchura nana Madagascar munia or Madagascar mannikin Tsipiny
Newtonia brunneicauda Common newtonia Katekateky
Tachybaptus pelzelnii Madagascar grebe Vivy
Ardeola idae Madagascan pond heron Malemylava
Ardeola ralloides Squacco heron Malemylava
Circus maillardi Réunion harrier Fitsindraky
Milvus migrans Black kite Tsimalaho
Accipiter Henstii Henst's goshawk Fandrasabe
Accipiter Francesii Frances's goshawk or France's sparrowhawk Fihiaky
Bulbulcus ibis Cattle egret Sikotry
Ardea purpurea Purple heron Dangoro
Lophotibis cristata Madagascar crested ibis or Madagascar ibis Akohoala
Dendrocygna viduata White-faced whistling duck Vivy
Sarkidiornis melanotos Knob-billed duck Angongo
Anas erythrorhyncha Red-billed teal Sadaelatsy
Macheiramphus alcinus Bat hawk Hila
Falco eleonorae Eleonora's falcon Firasambalala
Falco concolor Sooty falcon Firasambalala
Falco Peregrinus Peregrine falcon Fitsindrinky
Margaroperdix madagascariensis Madagascar partridge Traotrao
Turnix nigricollis Madagascar buttonquail Kibo
Dryolimnas cuvieri White-throated rail or Cuvier's Rail Tsikoza
Gallinula chloropus Common moorhen Akohondrano
Porphyrio porphyrio Purple swamphen Vatry
Charadrius tricollaris Three-banded plover or Three-banded sandplover Kalipa
Tringa nebularia Common greenshank Sakalo
Actitis hypoleucos Common sandpiper Bohaky
Pterocles personatus Madagascar sandgrouse Hatrakatraky
Agapornis cana Grey-headed lovebird or Madagascar lovebird Kitrehoky
Coua gigas Giant coua Aliotsy
Tyto alba Barn owl Vorondolo
Otus rutilus Madagascar scops owl Torotoroky
Ninox Superciliaris White-browed hawk-owl Tovotovoky
Asio capensis Marsh owl Hanka
Caprimulgus madagascariensis Madagascar nightjar Fatoriandro
Zoonavena grandidieri Madagascar spinetail Firihitsandro
Cypsiurus parvus African palm swift Firihitsandro
Apus melba Alpine swift Firihitsandro
Apus barbatus African black swift Firihitsandro
Ispidina madagascariensis Madagascar pygmy-kingfisher Litotsy
Mirafra hova Madagascar lark Boria
Phedina borbonica Mascarene martin Firihitsandro
Saxicola torquata African stonechat Fitaboly
Nesillas typica Malagasy brush warbler or Madagascar brush warbler Vorombaratra

Reptiles and Amphibians

39 species of reptiles can be found in the park. The snake Typhlops arenarius and the skink Mabuya vato are endemic.

The main families are:

  • Pelomedusidae - fresh water turtles
  • Geckonidae - geckos
  • Opluridae - iguanas
  • Chamaeleonidae - chameleons
  • Scincidae - skinks
  • Cordylidae - lizards
  • Typhlopidae - blind snakes
  • Colubridae - snakes

Amongst the amphibians living in the park are 2 endemic frog species: Mantidactylus corvus and the Malagasy rainbow frog (Scaphiophryne gottlebei).

Scientific name English name Description
Scaphiophryne gottlebei Malagasy rainbow frog or Rainbow burrowing frog Frog
Scaphiophryne brevis Frog
Mantidactylus corvus Frog
Mantidactylus curtus Frog
Mantidactylus femoralis Frog
Mantidactylus lugubris Frog
Mantidactylus wittei Frog
Boophis sp Tree frog
Boophis albilabris occidentalis White-lipped bright-eyed frog Tree frog
Boophis goudotii Tree frog
Boophis luteus Tree frog
Boophis tephraeomystax Tree frog
Mantella expectata Blue-legged Mantella Frog
Heterixalus betsileo Betsileo reed frog Reed frog
Tomopterna labrosa Frog

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).
  • Omnivores (all-eater)
  • Rodents

By 2009, following mammals were listed in the park:

Scientific name English name Description
Cheirogaleus medius Western fat-tailed dwarf lemur Lemur
Microcebus murinus Grey mouse lemur Lemur
Mirza coquereli Coquerel's giant mouse lemur or Giant dwarf lemur Lemur
Propithecus verreauxi Verreaux's sifaka Lemur
Eulemur fulvus Brown lemur
Lemur catta Ring-tailed lemur Lemur
Lepilemur ruficaudatus Red-tailed sportive lemur Lemur
Echinops telfairi Lesser hedgehog tenrec Tenrec, insectivore
Tenrec ecaudatus Tailless tenrec or Common tenrec Tenrec, insectivore
Suncus madagascariensis Madagascan pygmy shrew Shrew (mouse), insectivore
Mormopterus jugularis Peter's wrinkle-lipped bat Bat, insectivore
Tadarida sp Bat, insectivore
Hipposideros commersoni Bat, insectivore
Triaenops menamena Bat, insectivore
Miniopterus manavi Bat, insectivore
Miniopterus gleni Bat, insectivore
Myotis goudoti Malagasy mouse-eared bat Bat, insectivore
Pipistrellus sp. Bat, insectivore
Viverricula indica Small Indian civet Civet, carnivore
Cryptoprocta ferox Fossa Fossa, carnivore
Fossa fossana Malagasy civet Civet, carnivore

The best fauna most visible to tourists

Scientific name English name Description Where to find When to find
Mantella expectata Blue-legged Mantella Blue legs, yellow back, black and white dotted chest. Natural swimming pool circuit. Rainy season.
Mabouya sp Long-tailed skink, reptile. Six species of this genus are only known in Madagascar, all are endemic. Brown colour, neck with white dots. Natural swimming pool circuit. All year round.
Boophis albilabris occidentalis White-lipped bright-eyed frog Frog, endemic to Isalo and Bemaraha. Cascade of the Nymphs circuit. Rainy season.
Pseudocossyphus bensoni Benson's rock thrush Songbird, endemic to Madagascar. All circuits. All year round.
Brookesia Chameleon Canyon of the rats. Rainy season.
Buteo brachypterus Madagascar buzzard Bird of prey, endemic to Madagascar. Can be found throughout the island. Canyon. Dry season.
Polyboroides radiatus Madagascar harrier-hawk Bird of prey, endemic to Madagascar. Fairly common. Canyon. Dry season.
Upupa epops Hoopoe Colourful bird with an distinctive orange crown of feathers.
Terpsiphone mutata Madagascar paradise-flycatcher Bird that can be found on Madagascar and the Comoros. Namaza circuit. Rainy season.
Acrantophis dumerili Dumeril's boa Snake that can be found mostly in the southern and southwestern Madagascar, especially in Andranolava near Mahajanga. Namaza circuit. Rainy season.
Ithycyphus perineti Perinet night snake Snake that lives in the rainforest. Namaza circuit. Rainy season.
Scorpion Natural swimming pool circuit. All year round.
Phromnia rosea Flatid leaf bug Insect. At a distance it can be mistaken for a flower. All circuits in the forest. Rainy season.