Isalo National Park

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 south 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
Mus musculus	House mouse	Mouse, rodent
Macrotarsomys bastardi	Bastard big-footed mouse	Mouse, rodent
Eliurus sp		Mouse, rodent
Eliurus myoxinus	Dormouse tufted-tailed rat	Rat, rodent
Rattus rattus	Black rat	Rat, rodent

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.

Flora

In the Isalo National Park grow more than 400 plant species. 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
• Kalanchoe - medicinal plant
• Palmier d’Isalo - adapted itself to the hot, dry climate of the Isalo region
• Bismarckia nobilis - a typical palm of the region, with the particularity to resist fire. Its branches are used by the villagers for plaiting. The Malagasy name for the palm is "Satrana".

The best flora most visible to tourists

Family	Scientific name	English name	Endemicity	Where to find	When to find
Apocynaceae	Pachypodium rosulatum	Elephant's Foot Plant	Endemic to Madagascar	Natural swimming pool circuit.	All year round.
	Ichnolepsis tuberosa			Natural swimming pool circuit.	All year round.
Asclepiadaceae	Menabea venenata		Endemic to Madagascar.	Natural swimming pool circuit.	All year round.
Aloaceae	Aloes isaloensis		Endemic to Madagascar.	Natural swimming pool circuit.	All year round.
Crassulaceae	Kalanchoe
Apocynaceae	Catharanthus roseus	Madagascar Periwinkle
Sarcolaenaceae	Sarcolaena sp		Endemic to Madagascar.		All year round.
Asteropeiaceae	Asteropeia micraster		Endemic to Madagascar.
Dipterocarpaceae	Monotes madagascariensis			All year round.
Arecaceae	Dypsis onilahensis		Endemic to Madagascar.
	Cyathea isaloensis				All year round.

Landscape

This huge eroded massif extends over a large grass bed, dotted with forest. Isalo offers a fantastic, colourful landscape, shaped by erosion, and incredible panoramas.

The south consists of a large, sandy plateau, 800 metres above sea level. The plateau is characterised by savanna, shrubs, prairie grass and naturally eroded sandstone hills.

The east consists of a large plateau with an altitude of 1000 to 2000 metres. It is largely covered by sclerophyllous plants and prairie grass. The plateau is cut by numerous varyingly deep canyons with more or less permanent streams. The east of this plateau is dominated by rocky cliffs, characteristic for Isalo.

The west is a vast monocline plateau with an average altitude of 1000 metres. It is almost entirely covered by sclerophyllous plants and large plains of prairie grass. In several places the plateau is cut by canyons, similar to those in the east. Like the east plateau, also the west plateau ends by rocky cliffs.

The central part between the east and the west is dominated by a valley, a sequence of plains and low-lying plateau, surrounded by sclerophyllous plants and grass meadows.

The north consists of a large rock barrier in the eastern part with typical rocky escarpment at its end, varying in altitude between 800 and 1200 metres. The centre is formed by a vast monocline plateau, about 600 to 700 metres above sea level, which greatly reduces the lowering to the Amboloando river. The eastern part is a low plateau of 600 to 700 metres above sea level, descanting to the Malio river.

The area surrounding the park in the west, east and south consists of peneplain with an average altitude of 800 metres. (A peneplain represents the final stage of fluvial erosion in times of extended tetonic stability.) In the west remains some forest along the river beds of Malio, Analalava and Analambia, forming the park boundary at this side. In the east, there is also a remnant forest along the river bed of the Menamaty, but smaller in size compared to the west. The rest is dominated by a large tree and shrub savanna which occupies a large area with prairie grass.

Guides and entrance fees

The park office is located in Ranohira, 3 kilometres east of the park. There you can inform yourself about the various tours, guides and their rates as well as possible accommodation costs. Please bare in mind that the office does not open before 7am, so it is advised to obtain an entrance permit already a day in advance in order to have a full day in the park.

There are 70 guides working in the park. All speak French, as well as some English, Italian and German. All guides are educated in general culture, ecology, geology, local culture and technical guidance. A noticeboard informs about the specialty of each guide.

More information about the park is available in the Maison de l'Isalo, an interpretation centre located in Zahavola, about 9 kilometres south of Ranohira along the RN7 direction Tulear. The centre holds a permanent exhibition about the geology, fauna, flora and the influence by the local people. The museum is open daily from 6.30am to 6pm, there is no entrance fee.

The admission fee for visiting the park depends on how many days will be spent in the park. Foreign tourists pay 25,000 Ariary for 1 day, 37,000 Ariary for 2 days, 40,000 Ariary for 3 days and 50,000 Ariary for 4 to 10 days (prices 2010). Guides are obligatory. The fee for a guide depends on the chosen tour (circuit) and can reach from 16,000 Ariary for the Natural Swimming Pool circuit to the 20,000 for the Maki Canyon. Porters cost 10,000 Ariary a day.

Circuits (Tours)

There are several circuits crossing the Isalo National Park. Visitors can choose between easy and medium level circuits. It is possible to combine some circuits by staying overnight at a campsite in the park.

Piscine Naturelle - Natural Swimming Pool Circuit

This is the most popular circuit in the park. The trek leads you to a palm-fringed pool, constantly fed by a warm waterfall. You walk through diverse ecosystems from the cliffs to the Tapia plain, passing Bara and Sakalava graves.