Marojejy National Park

Wildlife & Animals

Marojejy Tours

Expert

Philip is the author of the Insight Guide to Madagascar.

Although Marojejy National Park is primarily a hiking destination, the pristine mountain rainforest is home to plenty of wildlife. A full 12 species of lemur have been recorded, notably silky sifaka, along with 118 bird species. An impressive checklist of 147 reptile and amphibians includes 18 species that are endemic to this one park. Frogging is a rewarding pastime: the fluorescent green Guibé's mantella is just one of many colorful species to be found in the mountain streams.

Silky sifaka Occasional

Eastern grey
bamboo lemur Occasional

White-fronted
brown lemur Common

Red-bellied lemur Occasional

Eastern
woolly lemur Occasional

Dwarf lemurs Occasional

Seal's
sportive lemur Occasional

Panther
chameleon Occasional

Other
chameleons Occasional

Madagascar
tree boa Occasional

Leaf-tailed
geckos Common

Fossa Very Rare

Aye-aye Very Rare

Spotted
fanaloka Rare

Wildlife Highlights

Marojejy’s flagship mammal, the all-white silky sifaka is one of the most critically endangered primates in the world. Although there may be as few as 250 individuals left in the wild, these large, striking lemurs are quite easy to find if you’re prepared to hike high up in the mountains. For birders, Marojejy is one of the best places to look for the localized helmet vanga, a peculiar Madagascar endemic that has a colorful toucan-like bill and nests in ferns that grow in the forks of trees.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife viewing in Marojejy is best from September to December. In October and November many lemurs have babies, and reptiles are most active from October onward. From January to March it is generally too wet to visit. At the beginning of the Dry season, the months from May to July are good for hiking but not as good for seeing all the wildlife.