Madagascar Isalo National Park Travel Postcard

Isalo National Park, established in 1962, is a spectacular protected area in the Ihorombe Region of southwestern Madagascar, near the town of Ranohira. The park spans about 800-900 square kilometres and is famous for its dramatic landscape of sandstone plateaus, deep canyons, natural swimming pools, oases, and towering rock formations, all shaped over millions of years by erosion from wind and water. The climate is dry tropical, with pronounced dry and wet seasons; rainfall is low for much of the year, though rivers and streams flowing through shaded ravines support wetter microhabitats. While Isalo’s scenery is what draws many visitors, it’s also home to interesting wildlife and many endemic plants. Among the mammals are several lemur species such as ring-tailed lemurs, Verreaux’s sifakas, red-fronted lemurs, and some nocturnal lemurs. The park also shelters many endemic amphibians and reptiles, and its flora includes unique succulents like the "elephant’s foot" plant (Pachypodium rosulatum), Isalo aloe (Aloe isaloensis), and many narrow-range plant species. Because of its combination of rugged beauty + wildlife in contrasting habitats (dry grasslands, rocky outcrops, riverine forest), Isalo is one of Madagascar’s most visited parks.