The creation of Masoala National Park in 1997 came rather late, as 15 species of lemurs and countless other species had already disappeared due to human activity. Similarly, the inscription of Madagascar's largest protected area to UNESCO's World Heritage List is also recent, dating back to 2007. You might compare this park to a miniature Amazon without the poisonous plants and venomous animals! A visit will leave an indelible mark on you!

An Exceptionally Dense and Immensely Rich Forest

The forest of the park is so dense that only about 10% of sunlight reaches the ground. The habitats are exceptionally diverse, encompassing rainforest, alluvial and flooded forest, wetlands and mangroves as well as littoral forest, which has become a rarity on the island.

Biodiversity and the rate of endemism are among the highest in the world within these forests. The national park includes a marine park of 100 km² and a special reserve, that of Nosy Mangabe (520 ha), a small island in Antongil Bay. This ensemble would harbor approximately half of Madagascar's flora in terms of the number of species.

By the numbers:

· 235,000 hectares of humid tropical forest

· 15 different varieties of lemurs

· 102 bird species

· 1,100 plant species

· 99 different species of marine algae

· 300 fish species

· 164 coral species

· 27 species of sea cucumbers

A Forest Walk in the Land of Lemurs

The park offers wonderful walks through varied landscapes, including waterfalls, idyllic rivers, and undergrowth. If you're a botany enthusiast, you'll discover that the varieties of palms and orchids are truly exceptional. You'll feel as though you're at the heart of an enchanted forest!

Moreover, the animals that inhabit it are far from ordinary, notably the Uroplatus (the camouflage champion), the aye-aye (the lemur that's part cat, part vampire), the tomato frog, the red owl, and so on. If they aren't extraordinary, they are very rare, such as Madagascar's serpent eagle, Soumagne's barn owl (a type of owl), and the ruffed lemur.

To enjoy the scenery, possible activities include hiking, trekking, and kayaking. Venture deep into the forest and spot animals within thick vegetation, paddle along a river and admire its colors, explore the beaches and observe rocks inscribed with markings left by ancient Dutch navigators… Adventure awaits!

A Sea Excursion in the Land of Sea Turtles

Masoala National Park also offers an extraordinary marine world! Dive into this realm to swim among multicolored fish, rays, sea turtles, and reef sharks. Snorkeling is absolutely magical in this corner of the world! The diversity and colors are simply extraordinary!

Each year, the period between July and October is ideal for observing humpback whales, which come to Antongil Bay to breed and calve. The majestic Southern right whale, bottlenose dolphins, pink river dolphins, and the rare dugong also inhabit these waters! The aquatic parade is simply... moving!