Ifotaka Forest

Wildlife & Animals

Expert

Philip is the author of the Insight Guide to Madagascar.

Ifotaka Community Forest is a great place to observe and photograph some key lemur species. The habituated ring-tailed lemur is very common in patches of gallery forest, while Verreaux’s sifaka is pretty much guaranteed in the spiny forest. Night walks offer a chance to see lemurs and chameleons that are not active during the day. The birdlife is very rewarding, particularly in the spiny forest.

Verreaux's sifaka Common

Ring-tailed
lemur Abundant

White-footed
sportive lemur Occasional

Grey
mouse lemur Occasional

Grey-brown
mouse lemur Occasional

Madagascar
flying fox Common

Warty
chameleon Occasional

Jewel chameleon Occasional

Big-headed gecko Occasional

Plated lizard Occasional

Madagascar
hissing cockroach Occasional

Three-eyed lizard Common

Lesser
hedgehog tenrec Rare

Mocqard's
ground gecko Rare

Wildlife Highlights

Watching Verreaux’s sifakas leap dramatically between octopus trees is a real highlight. Even more memorable is the peculiar sideways ‘dance’ performed by these acrobatic lemurs when they cross a patch of open ground. Night walks in the spiny forest offer a chance to see three nocturnal lemur species. These are white-footed sportive lemur, grey mouse lemur and grey-brown mouse lemur. Nighttime is also good for seeing chameleons, such as the warty chameleon, which show up white when lit up with a spotlight.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife viewing is good throughout the year, but the best time to visit is during the drier months from April to November. The camp is closed during part of the Wet season, for the three months over January to March. December tends to be wet and humid and some visitors might find the conditions oppressive. The lemurs are around at any time, but reptiles and some mammals are less active during the coldest months from June to August. April is a special time to see ring-tailed lemurs ‘stink-fighting’ (competing for mates).