Isalo national park in Madagascar
Located in the south western part of the country in the state of Fianarantsoa and it is has one of the best biodiversity nature in the country. It is partially a desert like place and yet it also experiences rain which leads to the lush greenery found in the Park. The best time to visit the Park is during the dry season as the trails leading to the park will be easy to use unlike during the wet season when they are slippery.
The history about Isalo National Park
Isalo National Park was founded in 1962 and is one of the most popular national Parks in Madagascar. Although the park is constantly plagued with fires, the government in Madagascar is doing all it can to make sure that the park maintains its natural state so when you visit the country, you will be able to see the glorious Park without worry. The Park has a lot of things that it offers you one of the best sceneries in the country.
The drive to the Park is a long one due to the bad roads that are found in the area and this makes the journey itself tiring before you carry out any activities at the Park. It is very hard for you to get there on your own and that is why it is advisable for one to hire a driver who will be able to drive through the better roads so that you can get to the Park in time.
Getting someone who knows the ins and outs of the Park is the best idea since preservation has been done by both the government and the Bara local people who are believed to be the first settlers around the park.
Things To Do In Isalo National Park
There are several activities that you can carry out especially when it comes to visiting Isalo national Park in Madagascar and these activities include:
Camping in the Isalo National Park
If you want to enjoy the wild the best place to go is Isalo national Park where campsites are always there waiting for you. There are two camp sites in the Isalo and these are the Namaza and Analatapia and these have the best facilities when it comes to camping. You will be rest assured of a good rest when you get there especially for those who have been hiking or trekking. They provide you with tents where you can easily put your sleeping bags and get refreshments before enjoying the stars when nightfall sets in.
Getting to meet the Bara people
These are believed to have been living in this area for a very long time and they are the habitants of the Isalo Park. The Bara people have a lot of customs that they follow and as you visit the park, the tour guides will tell you about the unique way of life of the Bara and their culture and you can still have a nature walk to the village where they live. You will get to know about the following when you visit the Isalo National Park.
- When the Bara lose their loved ones, they walk around the entire village in order to ward off bad spirits and they also cut off their hair as a sign of respect for the dead and mourning.
- The Bara are known pastoralists and they have reared the Zebu cattle for a long time. When a boy is being initiated into adulthood, the Zebu cattle are used in rituals that transform a boy into a man.
- They are always burying their dead inside the caves.
- When a man wants to get married, they are supposed to steal cattle in order to prove that they will be able to take care of their wives.
You will be able to experience all the above only if you book that safari to the Isalo National Park. You will not regret your trip to the Park as you will also be able to get some souvenirs from the local people.
Hiking in the Isalo National Park
If you love hiking then you should not miss the trip to the Isalo National Park. The Park’s strategic location and landscape offers you one of the best hiking trails you will not find anywhere else in the country. The different hiking trails can be completed in just hours from the time you begin the hike but note that you will not be able to go through the hike trails alone and that is why we provide experienced tour guides who take you on this wonderful journey through the park.
The different trails that can be used when it comes to hiking through the Isalo National Park include:
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The Masalo trail
This is the mostly used trail when it comes to hiking through the park. It passes through the southern part of the park and you get to view the largest part of the park when you use this route. And it is also easy to use when it comes to hiking.
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The Namaza circuit route
The Namaza route is a bit tiring when it comes to trekking since it is extremely long as compared to other trekking routes and you might end up paying extra money to the tour guides due to the time taken to finish the trek. If you know that you are not that fit then it is better not to go for this route because it is not for not for the faint hearted although the experience is worth it. And while you are using this route you will be able to view the different canyons and caves that are found along the way.
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The piscine naturelle
The trek through the piscine is always done on foot and it is one of the best hike treks around. This route leads through the part of the park where you will be able to view the glorious waterfall in the park, the different caves and canyons where you can easily rest from when you are tired and get refreshed using the available water body.
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The canyon des singes
The canyon des singes is also used when it comes to trekking and is famous more than the piscine naturelle. It can be translated to as the canyon of monkeys and has thick trees that make it a bit hard for one to penetrate through and that is why you will need a guide to direct you as to where to go exactly so that the trek does not become difficult. And just like the name suggests, you will be able to see the different species of lemur the endangered monkey species jumping from one tree to another and they are only found in the country.
Enjoy trekking through the Isalo National Park as you enjoy the beautiful scenery that it has to offer. The different trek routes will show you all the hidden treasures of the Park and what better way to spend your day enjoying good scenery than by visiting the Isalo national park.
Things to Do in Isalo National Park & Wildlife To See
Madagascar is known to have very unique wildlife that most of it is endemic to the country and some of it is found in the Isalo National Park. The park has a variety of animals but the most common one is the Lemur which can either be seen in the trees during day. You will also be able to do birding while you are in the park as it has a lot if endemic birds that you will not find anywhere else in the world, re[tiles like snakes, chameleons and many more others.
Most of the wildlife is not dangerous in any way and that is why it is extremely safe to walk through the Park but this does not mean that you are just going to wonder around the Park alone. You will need a tour guide who will take you through the Perk in order to avoid accidents the accidents that might happen when you are alone.
You must be wondering why there are no other wildlife like the predators in the country but this was due to the separation of Madagascar from the African continent millions of years ago. When the separation happened, most of the predators like lions, cheetahs, big animals like buffalos, elephants were all left on the African continent and only those endemic few were left on the Island. The unique wildlife found on the Island is just enough to make you pack your bag and you go for a tour to the Isalo national Park.
There is no better way than spending your trip at the Isalo national Park. The beautiful scenery that the park has to offer is just some of the few things that can attract you to this Park. Grab a bag and contact us to help you with all the necessary paperwork that is needed for one to come to Madagascar because we will be able to help you.
