Walking through the lush forests of Montagne d'Ambre often feels like stepping into the pages of Robinson Crusoe.

Northern Parks: Montagne d'Ambre

Montagne d’Ambre is a green oasis: Diego Suarez (Antsiranana, formerly a French naval base in the Indian Ocean) receives only about 900mm of rain per year whilst the park is drenched with an average of 3.858mm. This is perhaps Madagascar’s most rewarding reserve for the average visitor. It is easy to get to, has a good trail system, labeled trees and points of interest (some in English), and is very beautiful. Lemurs and many bird species are usually seen.

Montagne d’Ambre is an isolated patch of mountain rainforest covering an area of 18.200ha and lying at altitudes between 850m and 1.475 m. It derives its name from the resin that oozes from some of its trees, a few of which reach 40m. The park is notable for its bird’s nest ferns, tree ferns, orchids, mosses and lianas. Two waterfalls form the focal points, and there are crater lakes and view points over the forest and surrounding area.

Birds: Madagascar crested ibis, Malagasy kingfisher, Madagascar blue pigeon, forest rock-thrush, Madagascar magpie robin, broad-billed roller, cuckoo-roller, pitta-like ground roller, Madagascar paradise flycatcher, souimanga sunbird, Madagascar white-throated rail, white-throated oxylabes, spectacled greenbul, hook-bille vanga, dark newtonia.

Reptiles and frogs: Look for Madagascar tree boa, Boettger’s chameleon, panther chameleon, two stump tailed chameleon’s, Brookesia tuberculata and B. stumpffi, two leaf-tailed geckos, Uroplatus alluadi and U. ebenaui, and two day geckos, Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis and P. lineata dorsivittata.

Mammals: Sanford’s brown lemur, crowned lemur, northern sportive lemur, Amber mountain fork-marked lemur, brown mouse lemur, northern ring tailed mongoose and fosa. The rare falanouc has been seen here.