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Ankarana National Park ***

Ankarana National Park is located in northern Madagascar approximately 108 km south of Antsiranana (= Diégo-Suarez), from which excursions can be organized through some hotels and local tour operators. There are basic campsites available, and very simple accommodations at the Mahamasina entrance along RN6, including Chez Goulam and Chez Aurélien. By far the best site for camping is the Campement des Anglais, located in a forested canyon (Canyon Forestier) accessible from the west by four-wheel-drive vehicle in the dry season and by hiking from Mahamasina all year round. For those who prefer not to camp or stay in very rustic bungalows, there are simple yet comfortable hotels in nearby Ambilobe, about 45-minute drive from Mahamasina, including the Hotel National or Hotel Chez Diana. Closer to the park, the highly-regarded Relais d’ Ankarana offers more upscale accommodation. It can be booked through either a local or Antananarivo-based tour operator. The Domaine de Fontenay Hotel in Joffreville can also arrange day excursions into the eastern part of the park year-round. The Canyon Forestier, Campement des Anglais, and forests near the Mahamasina entrance offer the best opportunities for seeing Sanford’s brown lemur (Eulemur sanfordi), the crowned lemur (Eulemur coronatus), and the nocturnal Ankarana sportive lemur (Lepilemur ankaranensis), which is also easily found in its daytime sleeping sites. In addition, several groups of crowned lemurs (Eulemur coronatus) have been habituated near the Campement des Anglais and Lac Vert, and they are easily found elsewhere in the reserve as well. Ankarana is also the best place for seeing the Tavaratra mouse lemur (Microcebus tavaratra), where it lives sympatrically with an as-yet-undescribed grayish form of mouse lemur (Microcebus), and it is also very good for the fat-tailed dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus medius) and the Montagne d’ Ambre fork-marked lemur (Phaner electromontis). The northern bamboo lemur (Hapalemur occidentalis) has also been reported from Ankarana, but is much more difficult to find.

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