Madagascar Ranohira Tours

Ranohira is a small town in south-central Madagascar that exists almost entirely as the gateway to Isalo National Park, one of the country's most visited protected areas. The park's sandstone formations were carved over millions of years into canyons, gorges and rock towers that rise from open grassland, a landscape closer to the American Southwest than the rainforests found elsewhere on the island. For other regions and combinable itineraries, see Madagascar tours.

Most travelers reach Ranohira via the RN7, the paved highway connecting Antananarivo to Toliara, making it a natural stop for road trips across the southern highlands. Ranohira tours are built around day hikes and multi-day treks into Isalo, with the town itself offering little beyond a base for guides, lodges and park permits.

Isalo National Park

Isalo covers roughly 800 square kilometers of eroded sandstone plateau, cut through with canyons that hold pockets of palm trees and pools fed by underground springs. Ring-tailed lemurs and Verreaux's sifakas are commonly seen along the park's trails, along with several endemic plant species adapted to the dry, rocky terrain.

Canyons and Natural Pools

The Piscine Naturelle, a natural swimming pool reached by a moderate hike through a narrow canyon, is one of the park's most popular stops and a welcome break from the heat. Canyon des Singes and Canyon des Rats offer longer routes through similar terrain, named for the lemurs and bats that frequent them, and both can be combined into a full-day trek.

Getting to Ranohira

Ranohira lies roughly midway between Antananarivo and Toliara on the RN7, a drive that typically takes a full day from either city. Many visitors stop here for one or two nights while traveling the length of the highway, pairing Isalo with other sights along the route.

Ambalavao and Anja Community Reserve

North of Ranohira on the RN7, the town of Ambalavao is known for producing Antaimoro paper by hand from tree bark and hosting a large weekly zebu cattle market. Nearby, the community-run Anja Community Reserve protects a set of granite outcrops that hold one of the largest concentrations of ring-tailed lemurs in Madagascar, easily seen on a short walking loop.

Planning a Trip

Tours from Ranohira range from short half-day walks near the park entrance to overnight treks that camp inside the canyons. Travelers looking to add a different kind of trip to their planning can also browse listings such as the 3 Days Wine and E-Biking in Northwest Bulgaria Tour, available on the same platform for travelers planning trips beyond Madagascar.