Tangorombohitr' Isalo Travel Guide

  Panorama of Isalo at sunset
by CatherineReichardt
 
  • Panorama of Isalo at sunset
      Panorama of Isalo at sunset
    by CatherineReichardt
  • Sifaka at Gorge des Singes
      Sifaka at Gorge des Singes
    by CatherineReichardt
  • Child's coffin awaiting reuse at Isalo
      Child's coffin awaiting reuse at Isalo
    by CatherineReichardt
  • Morning sun
      Morning sun
    by sachara
  • Wallowing in a plunge pool
      Wallowing in a plunge pool
    by CatherineReichardt
 

Explore Tangorombohitr' Isalo

Things to Do  

Why hiring ANGAP guides when visiting the park ?

Why hiring ANGAP guides when visiting the park ?, Tangorombohitr' Isalo

 Norali Says:  Ever noticed that I insisted on you hiring ANGAP guides while visiting national parks? Not only because local ANGAP guides are the ones who know about "their" territory. Also, ANGAP (association nationale pour la gestion ds aires partagees) aims at protecting nature. For... 

Pick up your ANGAP tour guide in Ranohira

Pick up your ANGAP tour guide in Ranohira, Tangorombohitr' Isalo

 CatherineReichardt Says:  Ranohira is a bustling little town that serves as the gateway to Isalo. It is a good place to replenish your stocks, and a pleasant place to spend a few days, with some reasonable hotels and some attractive low key tourist destinations such as the colonial era church in the... 

Tourist watching at La Fenetre

Tourist watching at La Fenetre, Tangorombohitr' Isalo

 CatherineReichardt Says:  La Fenetre (The Window) is by far the best publicised tourist attraction at Isalo, and one of the most accessible, being easily accessible in an ordinary sedan from the main road.La Fenetre is an impressive natural arch formed by erosion of the sandstone: what makes it... 

Swimming in waterfall plunge pools!

Swimming in waterfall plunge pools!, Tangorombohitr' Isalo

 CatherineReichardt Says:  Hiking the Isalo Massif was quite simply the high point of our Madagascar experience, and I can't recommend it highly enough. However, it can get extremely hot - when we visited (November), the temperature climbed into the 40s and there is not a lot of shade as you trudge... 

Elephant plant (?)

Elephant plant (?), Tangorombohitr' Isalo

 Norali Says:  How would you know about this flora species, for instance, if you haven't taken a guide? Anyway, it shouldn't be a problem since guiding is mandatory, i was just told.Now, I tell you. It is named "Rose du d?sert" or "Faux baobab" or "pachypodium". I like the metallic grey... 

Other fauna elements

Other fauna elements, Tangorombohitr' Isalo

 Norali Says:  OK... writing those tips just remind me that what I consider as mundane experiences can be must-see for others (for themnot having experienced them yet) or even off the beaten track ones.I wanted to limit myself to the lemurs as fauna must-see. Still, Isalo is home of other... 

Guiding is mandatory otherwise you miss sthg

Guiding is mandatory otherwise you miss sthg, Tangorombohitr' Isalo

 Norali Says:  It seems obvious but one has to say that you need guiding when you visit the park. Without that, you would miss many things, you wouldn't know the places, the species, the interdicts.Enlarge the picture. Look at it carefully: what's in there ? Can you say ? Yes, you may but... 

Nightlife  

Rockpool campsite area: Sunset watching, nighttime serenades
Norali profile photo

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Norali 1215 reviews
Isalo

I haven't had any chance to camp within the park. Still, the nightlife tip that came to my mind was camping.

And yes, there is a camping site near the rockpool, from where to watch the sun setting behind the mountains. Then, be sure to book the "Maki Valley" trail (or "Lemur Valley" or "Maki canyon") trail. It is the one that ends at the rockpool.

Also, you can have this experience once reaching whatever top part of the massif: a 180° view on the area.

Dress Code: for the rockpool, swimwear
for camping nights, warm clothing (fresh nights)

Written May 22, 2004

Address: isalo national park

Related to:
 National/State Park
 Adventure Travel
 Camping

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Local Customs  

Sakalava tombs in those rocks
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Norali 1215 reviews
rocks that lemurs can

In Isalo park, sandstone ridges surround the grassy plains. Also, even if you don't see them, Bara tombs are secluded in the rocks. Tombs are dug in the rocks and the entry is blocked by a block of rock. You wouldn't see anything, except when the rock that serves as a gate has rolled out and that bones are seen from outside. Otherwise, you wouldn't notice anything and only guides (and lemurs ?) would know about the locations of these tombs.

For that reason, you'd better ask the guide about what to do, to know (and I prefer you ask). Yet, if he seems uneasy about telling about the tombs, don't insist. Fady (taboos) operate in the region.

Also, in this area (and others in the island), lemurs are considered as those who host the ancestors' spirit. Does that explain why they can jump from a rock to another, nest in the rocks? Mystery for me.

Updated Jul 30, 2004

Related to:
 Hiking and Walking
 Camping
 National/State Park

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Tourist Traps  

Greediness: visiting without a guide
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3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Norali 1215 reviews
A lemur is hidden there...

This is the tourist trap n?1 while visiting the parks in Madagascar. For one main reason, unless you are botanist / biologist, you wouldn't spot the animals easily (are they nightactive, dayactive ? where to spot them the best ?), you wouldn't know about the plants that easily.

Especially, if you look for Maki canyon (valley) / Lemur canyon (valley), it would be a 10-hour-hiking with only lemurs in sight. But if you don't hire a guide, you wouldn't see the path. Also, I was just told that guiding is mandatory in Malagasy parks.

Still, I would like to report that a friend of mine who used to be a guide for some time told me that in Isalo, two Italian tourists went on visiting Isalo park without hiring a guide... Eventually, they have spent 6 hours in the park without seeing anything.

Unique Suggestions: I think that since guiding is mandatory (I was told it), you wouldn't encounter this trap anymore.

Otherwise, if guiding is still non mandatory, hire a GPS, guide books on animals & species, maps of the park you visit, all necessary tools for camping in case you are lost in the park and obliged to camp at dawn.

Fun Alternatives: One alternative: hire a ANGAP guide

See my must-see to know why.

Updated May 20, 2004

Related to:
 National/State Park
 Photography
 Hiking and Walking

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What to Pack  

Where here would you find....
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Norali 1215 reviews
Noone in the area, no shop, no pharmacy...

Luggage and bags: Plastic bags for your garbage, esp. when you camp.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Good walking shoes, hat, sunglasses

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: sunlotion, mosquito repellent, sunglasses, extra-units of your lenses if U wear lenses, cleaning products

Photo Equipment: Films, lenses, a cover to protect equipment from water spills, dust when you camp or cross rivers.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: For all season, warm clothing for the night (if you camp there)

Miscellaneous: dry fruit, sugary food, water (min. 2l/ pers)

YA BETTER BRING THEM!

Updated Jan 12, 2004

Related to:
 National/State Park
 Hiking and Walking
 Camping

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Off The Beaten Path  

Grottes de Teniky and Sahanafa forest

Grottes de Teniky and Sahanafa forest, Tangorombohitr' Isalo

 Norali Says:  I haven't done it but visiting Teniky grottes and Sahanafa forest seems to be the ultimate experience in there. The most interesting of the circuits (archaelogical sites), the toughest as well, requires some very good physical conditions: you will have to go through... 

Experience the Wild West atmosphere of Ilakaka

Experience the Wild West atmosphere of Ilakaka, Tangorombohitr' Isalo

 CatherineReichardt Says:  Madagascar is justly renowned for the quality of its gemstones, particularly sapphires. Most of these gems are mined from 'placer' deposits, where the stones have been eroded from their source and have preferentially concentrated along current or historic river... 

Springs in this dry area

Springs in this dry area, Tangorombohitr' Isalo

 Norali Says:  Weird enough, this seemingly dry area is the starting point of two rivers: Mangoky and Onilahy. They are fed by springs that are located at an altitude of 1000m in Isalo park.Yes, there are many rivulets that fall into cascades, nurturing rockpools. 

Sports & Outdoors  

Hiking is #1 sport here !!
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Norali 1215 reviews
Yes, you will hike

It's so obvious: hiking would be your n?1 sport in there.

Depending on the circuit you've chosen, you will have to pay attention to your physical condition. Try to evaluate with the guide what would suit you best.

For instance the Lemur/ Maki Canyon circuit would take you like 10 hours of hiking. Some people do it for two days, with camping.

Equipment: walking shoes
warm outfit for the low temperatures at night (if you camp)
multi-layer clothing
a hat / cap + sunglasses
bottled water, water, water
dried fruits, cookies aside your bfasts, diners
sunscreen lotion (sun can be v. strong in summer)
cane for hiking
a plastic bag to put your trash. Please, don't throw your trash in the park (esp. the non-biodegradable pieces), keep them with you & get rid of them at your hotel or where you find a trashbin)

Updated Oct 13, 2006

Address: Isalo National Park

Related to:
 Camping
 Hiking and Walking
 National/State Park

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Favorites  

Tavy & doro-tanety

Tavy & doro-tanety, Tangorombohitr' Isalo

 Norali Says:  Tavy is a slash and burn technique that locals use for agriculture. Thinking of it, I always understood that the more you burn soil, the more you kill nutriments in it... Peasants in Madagascar always believed the contrary. Then, for decades, they just slash and burn hundred... 

Red Island

Red Island, Tangorombohitr' Isalo

 Norali Says:  It's after seeing those red- soil sceneries that "Red Island" comes to your mind.This is not only in Isalo area but throughout the Central Highlands too. Tana, Fianarantsoa and Toliara provinces.In the past though, the country was nicknamed "Blue island" for it being so... 

Rivulets

Rivulets, Tangorombohitr' Isalo

 Norali Says:  Does it surprise you to encounter rivulets in the desert Isalo park ?It shouldn't since two main rivers in Southern part of Madagascar depart from Isalo area.Remember ? It is a massif, with different altitudes. Then rivulets and rivers run through it. :) Once again, one of... 

While climbing...

While climbing..., Tangorombohitr' Isalo

 Norali Says:  You will have to go through these corridors.. It, as many others, are located in the rocks, creating some kind of oasis. See? Greenery, flowers, rivulets or sometimes cascades are located in the middle of the dry rocks...At some time while climbing, you'll have to stick to... 

Sapphire road

Sapphire road, Tangorombohitr' Isalo

 Norali Says:  End 1997, a peasant found a sapphire stone and showed it to a tourist. The rumour that sapphire was discovered there had spread nationwide. And "small" people came to extract minerals as a job. In no time, Ilakaka region, then a hamlet with no electricity with just dozens of... 

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Map of Tangorombohitr' Isalo