Mananara‑Nord National Park- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Mananara‑Nord National Park lies along Madagascar's northeast coast in the Analanjirofo region, encompassing about 24,000 ha of protected land plus 1,000 ha of marine habitat including the islets Nosy Antafana, Nosy Rangontsy and Nosy Hely. Recognized as the country's first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (since 1990) and designated an Important Bird Area, it conserves lowland humid evergreen forest, littoral thickets, mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs. The park supports exceptional biodiversity: at least 13 lemur species, including the nocturnal hairy-eared dwarf lemur (Allocebus trichotis) found only near the Mananara River, plus indri, aye‑aye and black-and-white ruffed lemurs; along with 77 bird species, 136 reptiles and amphibians, and over 1,200 vascular plant species including locally endemic palms and rare flora like Dypsis antanambensis and Voanioala gerardii. Offshore corridors host vibrant coral reefs home to 132 coral species, 179 fish species, sea turtles, dugong sightings and seasonal humpback whales. Sites are best explored via several park circuits—land trails such as Verezanantsoro, Ivontaka Sud and Varary, and marine excursions to Nosy Antafana for camping, diving and wildlife watching—all offering immersive experiences in some of Madagascar's most intact coastal ecosystems.