Ambanja
The town of Ambanja is in northwestern Madagascar about 265 km south of Antsiranana along RN6, the popular tourist route to Nosy Be.
In the “Where to See It” section for each species account, we have provided recommendations as to the best sites for seeing each lemur species and subspecies in the wild. In this appendix, we describe the majority of these sites in a little more detail. This is intended to give the reader information on how to reach a specific destination, the variety of lemurs that he or she might expect to see, and what facilities, accommodations, and services are likely to be available. For more information related to government national parks, strict nature reserves, and special reserves, we recommend you consult the Madagascar National Parks website (
In this section, we also indicate priority sites for visitors to Madagascar. Those with three asterisks (***) are considered a must for the first-time lemur-watcher. Those with two asterisks (**) are also appropriate for those newcomers to Madagascar who have a bit more time, and who want to quickly increase the size of their lemur life-lists. Those sites with a single asterisk (*) are important for particular, very restricted-range species, but are more difficult to reach. Those sites without any asterisks are for the hardy adventurer who may already have a long lemur life-list, and who wants to get way off the beaten track to see new and rarely-visited places.
Sites are listed here in alphabetical order.
The town of Ambanja is in northwestern Madagascar about 265 km south of Antsiranana along RN6, the popular tourist route to Nosy Be.
This special reserve covers some 60,050 ha of lowland forest, and is the largest special reserve in the country. Access is difficult and may require expedition-level preparation.
This small reserve (24,750 ha, between 800 and 1,600 m above sea level) is located in west-central Madagascar near Bongolava, between Tsiroanomandidy and Maintirano.
Located in east-central Madagascar on the high central plateau, about 130 km (2–3 hours by car) from Antananarivo, this reserve is easily accessed by way of RN4.
This special reserve, covering 34,700 ha of forest between sea-level and 650 m, is located 100 km southwest of Antsiranana (= Diégo Suarez) in far northern Madagascar.
The Analamazaotra Special Reserve is one of the most frequently visited sites in the country, one of the easiest to reach, and one of the best places to observe lemurs in Madagascar, and indeed one of the best primate-watching sites in the world.
Andohahela National Park is in extreme southeastern Madagsacar, and is composed of three non-contiguous parcels situated along the flanks of the Anosyennes Mountains. The park has excellent trails and camping facilities.
The Andrafiamena sandstone ridge is located between the Ankarana and Analamerana protected areas, two hours’ drive from Diégo-Suarez.
Covering some 6,420 ha, this special reserve is roughly 30 km north of Morondava and can be reached by car using the road to Belo-sur-Tsiribihina.
Located 30 km east of Ambalavao in southeastern Madagascar, Andringitra is only accessible by way of a seasonal road that requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle.