Ranomafana National Park Vacations

Ranomafana National Park is one of Madagascar’s most important and rewarding rainforest reserves. Set in the hills of the southeast, its name means “hot water” – a nod to the nearby thermal springs – but it’s the cool, misty forest and the wealth of wildlife within it that make this park so special.

This lush, mountainous park protects a precious slice of Madagascar’s disappearing rainforest and is home to an astonishing variety of plant and animal life. It’s one of the best places in the country to see lemurs, including the critically endangered golden bamboo lemur, which was discovered here in the 1980s and helped spark the park’s creation. You might also spot red-fronted brown lemurs, Milne-Edwards’ sifakas, and a host of chameleons, frogs, and bird species.

The walking here is superb – mostly along well-marked trails that wind through dense forest, across rivers, and up to viewpoints with sweeping vistas. There are shorter circuits for casual walkers and more challenging routes for those who want to venture deeper.

What we love about Ranomafana is the sense of immersion – the rich, earthy smell of the forest, the calls of lemurs echoing through the trees, and the chance to discover life that exists nowhere else on Earth. It’s also a great stop on a journey through the Highlands, combining beautifully with cultural towns like Fianarantsoa and the open landscapes of Isalo further south.