Zahamena is the largest protected area of endemic (found only in and native to) birds in Madagascar. This Giant Coua was photographed by our good friend and partner in Madagascar, Lalaina.

Central Parks: Zahamena

Zahamena National Park is located 40 km north-east of Ambatondrazaka and 4 km from Manakambahiny-East. The terrain is very undulating, with several steep-sided valleys. The park is divided into two areas, west and east, partially separated by a large enclave in which are several villages. The valleys are drained by rivers, the most important of which are the Sahatavy and its tributary, the Sarondrina. A network of rivers in the north-west of the park flows into Lake Alaotra (IBA MG046). At low altitudes the dense, humid evergreen forest has a canopy 15-20 m high and 25-m-high emergent, typically with trees of Tambourissa, Weinmannia, Diospyros, Ravensara and Dalbergia. The shrub layer is dominated by tree-ferns Cyathea and screw-pines Pandanus. There are also areas of secondary forest. The dense, humid evergreen forest extends to mid-altitudes, above which there is dense, sclerophyllous montane forest. The forest on the slopes has a denser shrub and ground layer, dominated by herbs (Impatiens, Begonia) and ferns Polystichum.

A total of 109 bird species have been sighted in the park, of which 67 are endemic to Madagascar. The park is the largest protected area of endemic bird species in Madagascar. Of course the 13 species of Lemurs, including the Simmons' Mouse, found in this park are also a good reason to visit.