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Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park *

This park is in southwestern Madagascar 145–150 km northeast of Toliara (= Tuléar), from which it can be reached by car in about two hours along an excellent road. Otherwise it may be reached from Isalo, 85–90 km to the southwest, using a portion of RN7 that has been recently renovated. Zombitse-Vohibasia is currently the only area for seeing the newly-described Zombitse sportive lemur (Lepilemur hubbardorum), which can easily be found even during the day as it peers out from daytime sleeping sites. Diurnal ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta), red-fronted brown lemur (Eulemur rufifrons) and Verreaux’s sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) also occur in the park, although it is by no means the best site for any of these species. Night hikes offer opportunities to see gray mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus), fat-tailed dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus medius), and Coquerel’s giant mouse lemur (Mirza coquereli), in addition to the Zombitse sportive lemur, and a fork-marked lemur that is probably Phaner pallescens but possibly a new species. There are very basic hotels located in Sakaraha about 12 km from the park, and camping is also possible. A visit to Zombitse-Vohibasia can be combined with a visit to Isalo National Park, since the two are only about an hour apart by car. The Zombitse section of the park is perfectly safe and located right along the highway. The more distant Vohibasia section is sometimes off limits for security reasons due to its use by cattle rustlers. (Propithecus verreauxi) also occur in the park, although it is by no means the best site for any of these species. Night hikes offer opportunities to see gray mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus), fat-tailed dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus medius), and Coquerel’s giant mouse lemur (Mirza coquereli), in addition to the Zombitse sportive lemur, and a fork-marked lemur that is probably Phaner pallescens but possibly a new species. There are very basic hotels located in Sakaraha about 12 km from the park, and camping is also possible. A visit to Zombitse-Vohibasia can be combined with a visit to Isalo National Park, since the two are only about an hour apart by car. The Zombitse section of the park is perfectly safe and located right along the highway. The more distant Vohibasia section is sometimes off limits for security reasons due to its use by cattle rustlers.

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