Ankarana Reserve

Diana Region, Northern Madagascar, Madagascar

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Ankarana Reserve, located in the Diana Region of northern Madagascar, is a remarkable protected area known for its dramatic limestone landscape called tsingy, made up of sharp rock pinnacles, deep canyons, caves, and underground rivers.

Established in 1956, the reserve protects a unique karst environment that has been shaped by millions of years of erosion. The reserve is one of Madagascar’s biodiversity hotspots, home to numerous endemic species, including several types of lemurs, reptiles, birds, bats, and rare plants found nowhere else on Earth. Its forests, caves, and rocky formations create a variety of habitats that support this exceptional wildlife.

Ankarana Reserve is also culturally significant, with sacred caves and royal burial sites revered by the local Antakarana people. Combining spectacular scenery, rich wildlife, and cultural heritage, it is considered one of the most fascinating natural attractions in northern Madagascar.