Exploring the sumptuous canyons of Isalo National Park through different circuits

Whenever you plan to travel to Tulear, on the National Road 7, think of making a little break to Ranohira to discover the various breathtaking landscapes of Isalo National Park.

Isalo National Park is one of the most visited touristic sites of the Island. Most particularly known for its deep canyons carved by erosion as well as its jurassics and stone peaks that culminate between 515 m and 1,268 m of altitude, Isalo covers 81,540 hectares of a true botanical garden that shelters both lush forests and rocky vegetation in a western setting. It is located in Ranohira, the small town of the region of Ihorombe, in the southwest of Madagascar. Ranohira, which is 243 km away from Tulear and 683 km from the capital, is actually the main gateway leading to the site. As far as its fauna and flora are concerned, the park is home to many medicinal plants and endemic species such as birds (77 types of bird, two-thirds are endemic) and lemurs (seven lemur species)

A variety of spots that offer interesting and enjoyable activities
Thanks to its tremendous landscapes and miscellaneous available circuits, Isalo National park abounds in wide-ranging activities such as bird watching, and is the perfect spot for trekking, hiking and biking (VTT). Some of the famous spots and circuits in the Isalo Parkinclude the Isalo window, the natural swimming pool, the waterfall nymphs, the rats and the makis canyon.

The Isalo window or “la fenêtre de l’Isalo” is probably the most popular spot in the National Park of Isalo. This natural rock in the form of window that allows the sun to pass through and depicts the most breathtaking sunset will undoubtedly grant any visitor with a pleasing and a memorable trip.

The natural swimming pool and the waterfall nymphs, easily accessible circuits, are located 3 kilometers away from Ranohira, and are Isalo’s most visited spots. The waterfall nymphs consist of natural pools such as the black and the blue swimming pools. The common natural swimming pool is a small oasis with a warm and crystal-clear waterfall in the heart of the canyons. These short circuits can be attempted by a small hike and an easy trek of about one to three hours.

The rats and makis canyon are outstanding clefts both located in the northeast side of the Plateau of Isalo. They include 17 km drive from Ranohira and an easy 2 km hike of about two hours and a half. The two canyons are accessible through hiking and trekking anf often combined on a hiking epedition. The walk offers hikers a panoramic view of the vast tropical vegetation of the rats canyon and the habitat for many lemur species of the canyon of makis.

These are not the only circuits seen in Isalo Park but there are more other enchanting and spectacular spots that just need to be explored.

Sources: ONTM / Madagascar National Park