Andringitra National Park

This national park belongs to UNESCO World Heritage. This is the second largest peak in Madagascar, based on granite and gneiss. An exceptional adventure awaits you: magnificent landscapes, picturesque villages and incomparable diversity.

The Andringitra Massif, one of the most beautiful parks in Madagascar, offers incredible natural wealth. It is open to all, and lovers of large spaces and mountain walks will not be disappointed, because they have a panoramic view! Despite the difficult access to the park (only 4 × 4), the park offers an exceptional wet rain forest and the ability to climb Bobi Peak, which reaches a height of 2658 m (the second highest on the island).

Andringitra offers many landscapes: meadows, small islands of forests, thickets and large open spaces. A spectacular sight underlined by an exceptional surprise: Riambavi, a 300-meter waterfall.

And, according to legend, bathing in these waters would bring fertility. The surroundings of Andringitra Park also offer a rich cultural route that will allow you to discover charming people rooted in the traditions of their ancestors.

Go camping for 2-3 days in an exceptional setting. The array offers various activities, including trekking, in abundant and incredible nature. Camping, bird watching and hiking are the main activities in the park. Climbing Bobi Peak is also a must when you travel to Andringitra. However, you should wear warm clothes because it can be very cold when night falls. For the most adventurous, the site offers climbing. A sports journey rich in adventure and discovery. Please note that you also have the option of a bivouac under the tents.

The Andringitra mountains are granite outcrops in the south of the central part of Madagascar, characterized by high mountains, deep valleys and ridges. Researchers at the beginning of the twentieth century recognized the ecological importance of the massif, and in 1927 the central part of the massif was declared a Strict Nature Reserve. However, this area was little known to outsiders until the early 1990s, when the Malagasy Environmental Action Plan was introduced and the Andringitra National Park was created. Over an area of ​​311 km ², it is divided into three ecosystems: tropical forest at low altitudes, mountain forest and alpine vegetation. The park is located in the province of Fianarantsoa in Madagascar, 47 km south of Ambalavao.

It is also one of the most biologically diverse and endemic places in all of Madagascar; more than 100 different species of birds, more than 50 species of mammals, including 13 lemurs (ring-tailed lemurs are quite common), 55 species of frogs and more than 1000 plants that live in the park. Its highest height – Bobi Peak, 2.658 m high, is the second highest peak in Madagascar, which stands out just as noticeably above the barren moon plain. It is also an important central link in the longest continuous chain of rainforests remaining in Madagascar, which extends 180 km from Ranomafana National Park in the north, connecting with Pic Boby in the south.

Three cultural groups live within the park, each of which has its own individuality and value system and is adapted to the local population. In the tropical forests in the east, the ethnic group of Bar Harong lives, the main food of which is rice. Betsileo tribes live in the northern foothills of the massif and have developed an irrigation system for growing rice on the mountain slopes. Bara in the west and south uses the open savannah as pasture for its livestock.
The climate ranges from tropical humid in the eastern lowland rainforests to extreme temperatures at higher altitudes, which can drop to -8 ° C.

There are different tracks in the park. The tracks in this park are maintained in very good condition. Solutions have been created on the difficult sections of the path, so that anyone who approaches can make a trip.

Asaramanitra: This 6-kilometer trail leads to a beautiful 300-meter waterfall passing through a dense forest.

Diavolana: Diavolana trekking begins at the main campsite. The original forest is gradually being replaced by alpine meadows covered with orchids at the end of the rainy season. The trail runs at the sacred waterfalls of Riambavi (queen) and Riandahi (king), which fall 250 m down the hill. They say that they are the embodiment of a royal couple who could not conceive a child. They climbed a waterfall with a spiritual healer and donated to their ancestors with a white face so that they could conceive a child. As the path gains height, granite peaks and pleated ledges dominate the view. At the highest point, 2100 m, there is a stone slab, which serves as a convenient place for a picnic and offers an excellent viewing platform for discovering lemurs with rings on opposite rocks. These alpine lemurs have grown a thick feather to protect themselves from the cold of this alpine place.

Niya. The whole tour takes about 10 hours, it is intense, but certainly one of the most beautiful tracks in the area!

Climbing Imarivolanitra (climbing Bobi Peak). The view from Bobi Peak offers a breathtaking panorama of smooth granite blocks and rice fields of the Betsileo tribe. Usually this tracking is done two days from the main camp. On the first day, the path follows the same pattern as the Diavalona route. But after you have reached the fork in the waterfalls, the tourists continue the steep path, leaving the forest overlooking the Andocharian plateau, and climb further to a higher plateau behind the granite mountain peaks where the second camp is located.

On the second day, travelers climb Bobi Peak very early in the morning (at about 6 a.m.). You must cross the river behind the camp and follow the path that goes along the slope up. By the pool in front of Bobi Peak, the trail is marked “stone people.” Climbing takes about two or three hours, depending on your pace. The peak, which is the highest accessible peak of the country, is easy to climb. The mountain was named by the French in honor of the dog (Malagasy name Imarivolanitra). It is said that the French nerd was on a campaign in 1920 with his dog named Boby under the summit. One night, Bobi got lost. The investigator, who heard his dog barking in the fog, tried to find the dog. But instead of finding him, he reached the top of the mountain.

Imaitso: This trail leads to the main forests that build the eastern corridor east of the park. The length of the track is 14 km, and usually it takes 8-9 hours on foot in a humid environment.
Ishavato: Ishavato is the name of a high plateau where some rare palm trees grow. You can also visit the nearby waterfall and enjoy the wonderful sunset over the rocky plains below. The length of the route is 15 km, and its completion can take about 12 hours. Basically it will be a camping night.