Ifotaka Forest

Wildlife & Animals

Expert

Philip is the author of the Insight Guide to Madagascar.

Ifotaka Community Forest Reserve is a great place to observe and photograph some key lemur species. The very habituated ring-tailed lemurs are very common in the gallery forest. Verreaux's sifaka is less easy to find here, but sightings are pretty much guaranteed in the spiny forest section of the community reserve. Night walks offer a chance to see lemurs and chameleons that are not active during the day.

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

Night walks in the spiny forest are highly recommended as they offer a chance to see species only active at night. Three nocturnal lemurs are present, namely white–footed sportive lemur, grey mouse lemur and grey-brown mouse lemur. Nighttime is also a very rewarding time to see chameleons, such as the warty chameleon – they show up white when lit up with a spotlight.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife viewing is good throughout the year, but the camp is closed during part of the Wet season from January to late 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).