Ivoloina Parc Zoologique ***
Parc Ivoloina is a 282 ha forestry station that also includes a small zoo of about 4 ha.
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.
Parc Ivoloina is a 282 ha forestry station that also includes a small zoo of about 4 ha.
Located in the southeast some 50 km east of Betroka, the very important Kalambatritra Special Reserve nevertheless remains poorly known. Access by car is difficult between Ihosy and Betroka, and very difficult between Betroka and the reserve.
This small reserve in west-central Madagascar covers roughly 19,800 ha, of which only a small portion is actually forest.
The town of Katsepy is located right across the Betsiboka River from Mahajanga (= Majunga) in northwestern Madagascar.
This site in central-western Madagascar is also known as the Swiss Forest, La Forêt des Suisses, or Kirindy-Nord, and is part of a former 12,500-ha Swiss forestry concession located northeast of Morondava.
Lac Alaotra is Madagascar’s largest lake and also its most important rice-growing area. It is located in central-eastern Madagascar, just west of Zahamena National Park.
Lemurs’ Park is a private, 5-ha site located 22 km southwest of Antananarivo along the RN1 (towards Ampefy), between the villages of Fenoarivo and Imerintsiatosika.
Located on the island of Nosy Be in northwestern Madagascar, the Lokobe Strict Nature Reserve protects the only large block of intact forest remaining on this tourist island.
The Makira Forest is one of the largest remaining blocks of forest in Madagascar and is located in the northeastern part of the island, southwest of Maroantsetra.
Mananara-Nord National Park is in eastern Madagascar south of Makira.