Sacred waterfall
Water dropping into a green pool.
Chirocca77 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Chirocca77 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Chirocca77 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cactus0625 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Charles J. Sharp — CC BY-SA 4.0
Montagne d'Ambre National Park is a rainforest in northern Madagascar, on an isolated volcanic massif rising above dry land. Centred on Mount Ambohitra, the highest mountain in the north, it is known for its waterfalls and crater lakes and is among the most biologically diverse places in the country. It covers 18,200 hectares and receives 3,585 mm of rain a year, compared with 1,000 mm in nearby dry Antsiranana, which it supplies with water. The name comes from deposits of copal, a soft form of amber. Some 75 bird species, 25 mammals, 59 reptiles and over a thousand plants have been recorded. You walk through forest with trees up to 40 m tall, covered in lianas, orchids and ferns, on red earth paths. One leads to the sacred waterfall, where water drops into a green pool among the trees. The park holds eight lemur species, the ring-tailed mongoose and the Amber Mountain leaf chameleon, one of the world's smallest reptiles, which takes a guide's eye to find. The entrance lies about 40.6 km from Antsiranana in a straight line, about 45 minutes via Joffreville. Entry is with a certified guide, so arrange your walk at the park office. It is cooler and wetter than the coast, so bring a rain jacket and sturdy shoes, and respect local customs at the waterfall.
Water dropping into a green pool.
Forest up to 40 m high.
One of the world's smallest reptiles.
Near Joffreville, south of Antsiranana, Madagascar
Yes, entry is with a certified guide, whose fee is extra.
A rain jacket and sturdy shoes, as it is cooler and wetter than the coast.