Ifotaka Forest

Pros & Cons

• Community reserve mixing culture and nature-based activities
• Exclusive tented camp offering a real bush experience
• Great lemur viewing
• Night walks available in the spiny forest
• There’s nowhere to stay other than the tented camp, which is expensive
• Not very accessible

Wildlife

Ifotaka Forest is home to two lemur species that are active by day. These are the ring-tailed lemur (large groups of which occur in the gallery forest) and Verreaux’s sifaka (found in both the gallery and spiny forests). Ifotaka also supports three types of lemur active at night: white-footed sportive lemur, grey mouse lemur and grey-brown mouse lemur. Birdlife includes several species endemic to the spiny forest of southern Madagascar.

• More about Ifotaka’s wildlife

Scenery

Visits are based out of Mandrare River Camp, which stands in a riverside gallery forest dominated by tamarind trees. Several very scenic sundowner spots can be found close to camp, as well as some impressive stands of ancient baobab trees. The surreal spiny forest, which is unique to this part of Madagascar, is most famous for its bizarre octopus tree, which can grow up to 10m/33ft high.

Activities

Several guided activities are available. An easy walk through a large tamarind forest opposite Mandrare River Camp comes with an excellent chance of seeing large troops of charming ring-tailed lemurs. Walks into the spiny forest tend to focus more on the region’s unique succulent flora, but you will also pass ancestral Antandroy tombs and should see the acrobatic Verreaux’s sifakas. Other activities include night walks, local village visits, bird watching and traditional dances below giant baobab trees.

Weather & Climate

The climate in Ifotaka Forest is hot and quite dry. There is, however, a Wet season from November to March. This is also the hottest time of the year, with an average daytime temperature of 27°C/81°F. The cooler Dry season from April to October is overall more comfortable.

• More about the weather and climate

Best Time To Visit

The Dry season (April to October) is a good time to visit and so is November, the beginning of the Wet season. Mandrare River Camp stays open through December, but this month sees a lot of rain. The shoulder months of April, October and November are particularly lovely as the weather is pleasant, and reptiles and some mammals are more active than in the cooler Dry season months. Mandrare River Camp is closed during the rains from January to late March.

• More about the best time to visit

Want To Visit Ifotaka Forest?

Ifotaka Forest Tours

• Ifotaka Forest Safaris & Tours
• Tour Operators for Ifotaka Forest