The currently 47 national parks on the world’s fourth largest island Madagascar are managed by the ANGAP, the Association National de Gestion des Aires Protégées. They are divided into the four categories of National Parks, Integrated Protected Areas, Nature Reserves and Marine Protected Areas. The Montagne d’Ambre is a total of 230 km ² large national park. The explored, in the sense officially designated surface amounts to 182 km ². The National Park, opened in 1958, is located at an altitude between 1,000 and 1,440 meters above sea level. The nearest town, Antsiranana, in the extreme north of the island, is just 40 kilometers north. With about 100,000 inhabitants, it is the capital of the Diana region. The distance to the south Malagasy capital Antananarivo is about 1,000 kilometers.
The name Montagne d’Ambre means in english Amber Mountains. It is derived from the numerous and varied tree blossoms, of which the mountains are covered. With its varied flora and fauna as well as miles of rainforests, the Montagne d’Ambre is one of the nation’s most biodiverse national parks. Among the more than a thousand different plant species are unusual orchids, rare nest ferns and adventurous screw palms. The National Park area looks like a single rainforest with hidden crater lakes, natural waterfalls and volcanic rocks.
The national park is famous for its numerous species of chameleons. They are a family of dandruff crawlers and belong to the species of iguanas. Even the inexperienced visitor discovers them in the evening in bushes and trees. The lemurs as primates from the group of fencing-nose monkeys live exclusively on Madagascar and the small neighboring islands. Here in the National Park Montagne D‘ambre are seven different types of them to discover. Among the rare and worth seeing birds are the Madagascar Fish Eagle or the red-breasted kua.
The processing of precious woods from the National Park area is known and in demand nationwide. Every park stay is a pure trekking adventure. The park entrance is located at the village of Ambohitra, also known as Joffreville. Multi-day park tours are possible with and without a guide or ranger. Overnight stays at designated camping sites as well as at simple cooking places. In short, crossing the Montagne d’Ambre National Park is a truly unique experience with lasting memories.
Highlights
– Amber mountains
– A variety of chameleons
– Seven Lemur species
– Special bird species
– Various precious woods
Equipment
– Trekking shoes or solid sports shoes
– enough liquid
– Sunscreen>/p>
Tour Duration
Tour (3-6 hours)
