Tsaratanana Integral Reserve. The roof of Madagascar, the classified area

It is the roof of Madagascar with its peaks Maromokotra, at 2876m above sea level, the unique place of Malagasy flora with endemic species, the classified area among the nine precious stones of the biodiversity of Madagascar. Tsaratanana Integral Reserve lies about 80 km south-east of Ambanja. This large, isolated reserve provides protection for an important altitudinal gradient of intact rain forest that covers a surface of 486km² surrounding the impressive Tsaratanana massif with its deep slopes and sharp crests. This spectacular mountainous region has been protected since the times of the French administration in 1927. The highest mountain of Madagascar, the Maromokotra (2876m) lies within the reserve.

Tsaratanana has an important biological role due to its location since Northern tropical forests coexist with a high mountain ecosystem. This confers the Reserve a great biodiversity with a high rate of endemism and threatened species. The reserve is a very important source of water for the whole area, since numerous rivers spring inside the Reserve, like the Bemarivo, the Sambirano, the Ramena and the Mahavavy River. A couple of beautiful waterfalls and thermal baths are found here as well.

There are different types of forest depending on the altitude, but almost all of them are primary and virgin. The zone up to 2000m is covered by a dense humid forest with abundant palm trees, lianas and precious woods like palisander and ebony. Between 2000 and 2500m is find bamboo and montane forest, and from this altitude bushes and grassy savanna.

Here are 20 mammals species among them 11 species lemurs, including greater dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus major), pale fork-marked lemur (Phaner pallescens), Gray’s sportive lemur (Lepilemur dorsalis), northern bamboo lemur (Hapalemur occidentalis), the endangeredblack lemur (Eulemur macaco), brown lemur (Eulemur fulvus), red-bellied lemur (Eulemur rubriventer), and aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis). The newly-described Margot Marsh’s mouse lemur (Microcebus margotmarshae) may perhaps occur there as well as at higher elevations, though this has yet to be confirmed.

Among 95 birds species you find Madagascar serpent-eagle, Madagascar red owl, yellow-bellied sunbird and helmet asity, crested ibis, red-fronted coua or pita-like ground-roller.

Reptiles and amphibians are also wide spread. Tsaratanana Integral Reserve is a biodiversity center for amphibians, with many species of frogs, all endemic to Madagascar, some found only in the territory of the reserve (point endemism) or in a few other protected areas in the north of the island. Among the reptiles is the presence of chameleons Calumma guibei, point endemism of the reserve and Brookesia betschi. Worthy of mention also the presence of the rare tenrec Northern Shrew Tenrec, which has its own exclusive distribution area on the south-western slopes of the mountain, the most common Tenrec ecaudatus and Rat nesomys rufus forest.

We can to organize a trekking expedition-level to explore this impressive volcanic granite massif and the protected isolated and remote area. It takes a week or even more to reach the peak. A reasonable level of fitness is also necessary.

Visitors need a permit to enter this protected area. NDAO-i-Travel organizes the receipt of such permission in the relevant institutions.

Watch more photos about Tsaratanana Integral Reserve here.