Andringitra National Park

Managed By Madagascar National Parks. Granite Massif Of Domes And Spires Including Pic Boby At 2,658 M, Madagascar'S Second Highest Peak, With Multi Day Treks, Ring Tailed Lemurs And Cold Nights; The Country'S Best Hiking · Ambalavao, Haute Matsiatra

Andringitra National Park is a granite massif in the southern highlands about 50 km from Ambalavao, and it is widely regarded as the best trekking in Madagascar. The park is a landscape of domes, spires and bare rock rising from cloud forest and mountain heath to Pic Boby, also called Imarivolanitra, at 2,658 m, the island's second highest peak. The Namoly valley, with the nearby Riambavy forest, is the usual start for the Pic Boby trek, and trekkers pass through changing zones of vegetation with lemurs, orchids and chameleons. Ring-tailed lemurs live in the lower sectors, and the high plateau is cold and exposed, with frost at night in the dry season. This is not a casual visit. You need a guide and porters, camping gear or hut space, warm clothing and enough days to do the climb. It is hard, remote and rewarding rather than polished. Start planning with the park office in Ambalavao, because there is no walk-in option.

Southern highlands massif reached from Ambalavao via Namoly or from Ambalavao on tracks to Sendrisoa; the Pic Boby trailhead is the standard start, Ambalavao, Haute Matsiatra, Madagascar

The park is run by Madagascar National Parks and is generally open in daylight in the dry season. It is not free: a park entry fee and guide fees apply. Some sectors close or become impassable in the rains, so the trekking season is roughly April to November - confirm current dates with the park office in Ambalavao before travelling. Overnight stays are by hut or camp only, and cold nights make winter dry season trekking challenging.

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