Isalo National Park

Isalo National Park is in south-central Madagascar, and can be reached by vehicle from Toliara (= Tuléar) in about three hours using RN7. Its sandstone cliffs and canyons are home to groups of ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta), red-fronted brown lemurs (Eulemur rufifrons), and Verreaux’s sifakas (Propithecus verreauxi), all of which can be observed in the canyon near Ranohira. Ring-tails can also be seen at Camp Catta, near Andringitra National Park just east of Ambalavao, and at a community conservation site called Anjaha on the main road from Ambalavao heading towards Toliara. Other species reported from Isalo include gray mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus) and red-tailed sportive lemur (Lepilemur ruficaudatus), while a population of Coquerel’s giant mouse lemur (Mirza coquereli) can be found in the Analalava Forest block just adjacent to the park. Isalo is one of the most heavily visited sites in the country and good accommodation of various levels are available in the park, the best of which are the Relais de la Reine, Le Jardin du Roy and the Satrana Lodge. Although the scenery is very attractive and worth seeing, this park is not a high priority for lemurs.