Zombitse – Vohibasia National Park

Zombitse – Vohibasia National Park was established in 1997 and covers 363 sqkm of dry forest, marshes, and savannas. It is located on the southwest of Madagascar about 90 km west of Isalo National Park and 20 km northeast of Sakaraha. The park is divided into three different sections: Zombitse (168 sqkm), Vohibasia (161 sqkm) and Vohimena Isoky (32 sqkm).

Due to deforestation, only a reduced part of the original forest remains nowadays, giving shelter to an abundant fauna and flora biodiversity.

These isolated forests constitute the most important remnant of dry deciduous forest in Madagascar. Zombitse-Vohibasia acts as a transition zone between the dry and the humid forests of Madagascar; therefore, the flora is especially rich within the protected area. Baobabs and several orchids are particularly common.

The number of animal species living here is also remarkable. 15 small mammals, 2 carnivorous and 8 lemur species, such as the Verraux’s sifaka, red-fronted brown lemur, ring-tailed lemur, pale fork-marked lemur and the Hubbard’s sportive lemur can be observed here. Birds are also a park highlight; there are 85 species, most of them endemic – such as the rare Appert’s greenbul, which only lives in this forest. 33 reptile and 8 amphibian species have been reported in Zombitse, including the Standing’s day gecko, which is also local endemic to the park.