Ranomafana National Park is located close to RN7 in Fianarantsoa Province of Madagascar. It is holds 41,600 hectares (161 square miles) of rain forest that is home to several lemur species, is accessible by paved road, and contains a variety of lodging options, making it a popular destination for visitors to Madagascar. It's one of the six national parks that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site Rainforests of the Atsinanana.
As of November 2017, for each adult foreign visitor, an entrance fee of 55,000 Ar per day has to be paid, children are 25,000 Ar. On top, a "community charge" of 2,000 Ar per day per person is due in a booth near the park's checkpoint. The park offers a menu of guided walks to choose from. The fee for a guide for these walks has to be paid on top of the entrance fee and are between 80,000 Ar and 120,000 Ar, depending on the length of the walk. Payment in Ariary cash only.
It is not possible to go into the forest without a guide. Repeatedly, foreigners lost their way in the jungle and had to be searched for. Moreover, it does not make sense as you will not see any animals without a guide knowing where and how to spot them. Apart from your guide, there are animal spotters in the park who inform your guide by mobile phone about where the animals are.
Take a guide for guided walks in the Park entrance, +261 20 75 523 02. 07:00-16:00. Shorter walks are very easy and lead into secondary forest where lemur species can be observed. Longer walks lead into very dense primary forest where very rare species can be observed. The park management proposes walks lasting 6 to 8 hours; while this sounds tough, they can be done by persons with insufficient fitness as most of the time is spent observing animals. It's worth to do more than only one of the walks. Be prepared to wake up early as this is when the animals are most active. Be aware that not all trails start at the reception, you will need a transportation to get to the starting point of a few of the trails. Bring insect repellent and sufficient water. Wear long-sleeve clothes to avoid being bitten by insects and good shoes. 57,000 Ar/day/person + guide fee.
- Kayaking. 07:00-14:00. In the restaurant behind the National Park's reception (see "Eat" section), you can book a tour down the river in inflatable Kayaks. It starts in Ranomafana village and takes you a few kilometers eastwards through sparsely populated area, not through the national park's forests, however. The price includes transfers to the starting point and from the end point back to the reception (or your accommodation, which is likely to be on the way). Budget 120,000 Ar for two persons.
- Hot spring. A small pool with water from a hot spring. Leave all your valuables at your accommodation when going. Ask around about when it is refilled, as it closes for this purpose.
Take a guide for guided walks in the Park entrance, +261 20 75 523 02. 07:00-16:00. Shorter walks are very easy and lead into secondary forest where lemur species can be observed. Longer walks lead into very dense primary forest where very rare species can be observed. The park management proposes walks lasting 6 to 8 hours; while this sounds tough, they can be done by persons with insufficient fitness as most of the time is spent observing animals. It's worth to do more than only one of the walks. Be prepared to wake up early as this is when the animals are most active. Be aware that not all trails start at the reception, you will need a transportation to get to the starting point of a few of the trails. Bring insect repellent and sufficient water. Wear long-sleeve clothes to avoid being bitten by insects and good shoes. 57,000 Ar/day/person + guide fee.
Kayaking. 07:00-14:00. In the restaurant behind the National Park's reception (see "Eat" section), you can book a tour down the river in inflatable Kayaks. It starts in Ranomafana village and takes you a few kilometers eastwards through sparsely populated area, not through the national park's forests, however. The price includes transfers to the starting point and from the end point back to the reception (or your accommodation, which is likely to be on the way). Budget 120,000 Ar for two persons.
Hot spring. A small pool with water from a hot spring. Leave all your valuables at your accommodation when going. Ask around about when it is refilled, as it closes for this purpose.
Souvenirs are sold in the reception booth at the national park. Apart from this, there is nothing special you might want to buy.
There is no big shop in Ranomafana, if you need anything special (food, medication, electronics), then ensure you bring it with you.
Don't expect any working ATM. Bring enough Ariary cash for all your expenses.
- Restaurant at the National Park. Acceptable food and drinks are available near the reception of the national park in an unnamed restaurant. Expect 15,000 Ar for a main dish.
Restaurant at the National Park. Acceptable food and drinks are available near the reception of the national park in an unnamed restaurant. Expect 15,000 Ar for a main dish.
You can have a drink in the restaurant of your accommodation. Apart from that, you will find Ranomafana's night life disappointing.
- Protect yourself against insect (especially mosquito) bites
- Wear proper shoes
- Watch out what you touch in the jungle, don't hold yourself on spiny branches
Most vehicles travelling along the RN25 go to either Fianarantsoa or Manakara, which makes these two cities the natural next stop of your trip if you rely on taxi-brosse.
You can also consider visiting the small town of Sahambavy with its tea plantation and botanical-garden like Lac Hotel. For this purpose, take a car heading towards Fianarantsoa, alight in Ambalakely, from where taxi-brousse go to Sahambavy on a very bad road.