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'''The Ankarafantsika National Park is located in the Boina region in the northwest of Madagascar. To the east , the park is bounded by the Mahajamba river and to the west by the Betsiboka river. The park is located along the national road 4 ([[RN4]]), about 115 kilometres south of [[Mahajanga]] (2 hours by car) and 450 kilometres north of the capital [[Antananarivo]] (8 hours). The road is in good condition and accessible all year round. There is a daily taxi-brousse service between Antananarivo and Mahajanga. Alternatively, [[Air Madagascar]] offers regular scheduled flights. '''

The name Ankarafantsika comes from ''garafantsy'', meaning "mountain of thorns". The name is also connected with a crafty and scary man. The forests of Ankarafantsika were once market marked with terror and mystery due to [[Lake Ravelobe|Ravelobe]], a patriot living in the forests who became a bandit and robbed travellers.

From April to November the weather is hot and dry, followed by a wet period. The average annual rainfall is 1,475mm. In general , the temperature varies between 24°C and 29°C. There are about 37,456 people (2010) living in the area, spread over 133 villages and hamlets. The inhabitants are mainly farmers. The dominant ethnic group is [[Sakalava]].

{| class="imageTable"|-|colspan="3" | [[File:Ankarafantsika_National_Park_023.jpg|600px]]|} 50% of the park entrance fees are donated to the local population to support the financing of micro projects. Since the launch of the Environmental Action Plan, more than 200 projects were enforced in the surrounding communities. More than 20,000 people benefited from the construction of wells, mini-dams and a school, drilling for a fire hydrant, beekeeping, reforestation, poultry farming and provision of agricultural equipment.<br><br>

* ''Ardea humbloti'' - [[Humblot's Madagascar heron]]

* ''Actophilornis albinucha'' - [[Madagascan Madagascar jacana]]

* ''Tachybaptus pelzelnii'' - [[Madagascan Madagascar grebe]]

* ''Otus rutilus'' - [[Rainforest Madagascar scops -owl]]* ''Lophotibis cristata'' - [[Madagascan Madagascar crested ibis]]

Ankarafantsika National Park is home to a rich and diverse flora. 823 species have been inventoried. The endemic rate is ranging from 82% for herbaceous plants to 92% for woody plants.<br> {| class="imageTable"|-|colspan="3" | [[File:Ankarafantsika_National_Park_005.jpg|600px]]|}<br>

As of 1st November 2015, [[Madagascar National Parks]] increased the entrance fee to the park. Foreign tourists pay now 55.000 Ariary for a day ticket, children 25.000 Ariary. <!--The admission fee for visiting depends on how many days will be spent in the park. Foreign tourists pay 25,000 Ariary for one day, 37,000 Ariary for two days, 40,000 Ariary for three days and 50,000 Ariary for four to ten days (prices 2010). --> Half of the entrance fees goes to Madagascar National Parks and half to local communities. Guides are obligatory. The fee for a guide depends on the chosen tour (circuit).<br> {| class="imageTable"|-|colspan="3" | [[File:Ankarafantsika_National_Park_038.jpg|600px]]|}<br>

Guide: 15,000 Ariary (1-6 people), 21,000 Ariary (7 or more people)<br> {| class="imageTable"|-|colspan="3" | [[File:Ankarafantsika_National_Park_013.jpg|600px]]|}<br>

* nocturnal lemurs: Grey mouse lemur (''Microcebus murinus''), Golden-brown mouse lemur (''Microcebus ravelobensis''), Milne-Edwards's sportive lemur (''Lepilemur edwardsi''), Western wolly woolly lemur (''Avahi occidentalis''), Western Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur (''Cheirogaleus medius'')

Guide: 25,000 Ariary (1-6 people), 37,000 Ariary (7 and or more people)<br><br>

Medium circuit, 2.30 5 hours walk (3km).<br>

* aquatic birds: osprey, herons, egret, Glossy ibis, [[African darter]], wild ducks<br>

Guide: 15,000 Ariary (1-6 people), 21,000 Ariary (7 and or more people)<br><br>

Guide: 25,000 Ariary (1-6 people), 37,000 Ariary (7 and or more people)<br><br>

* waterbirds: osprey, Madagascan Madagascar fish-eagle (''Haliaeetus vociferoides'') - ''ankoay'' in Malagasy, herons, egrets, Glossy ibis, [[African darter]], wild ducks* reptiles: chameleons, snakes, lizards, [[Nile crocodile ]] (''Crocodylus niloticus'')

* panoramic view of the sacred [[Lake Ravelobe]]

Guide: 15,000 Ariary (1-6 people), 21,000 Ariary (7 and or more people)<br> {| class="imageTable"|-|colspan="3" | [[File:Ankarafantsika_National_Park_036.jpg|600px]]|- |[[File:Ankarafantsika_National_Park_027.jpg|196px]]|align="center"|[[File:Ankarafantsika_National_Park_031.jpg|196px]]|align="right"|[[File:Ankarafantsika_National_Park_029.jpg|196px]]|}<br>

Leaving the dry forest, a savanna landscape takes you to the great [[Lavaka of Ankarokaroka]] - a unique moon -like landscape, the result of massive erosion in the canyon.

* birds: flycatcher, Madagascar magpie-robin, Madagascar bulbul, coua, Madagascan kestrel, drongo<br>

Guide: 25,000 Ariary (1-6 people), 37,000 Ariary (7 and or more people)<br> {| class="imageTable"|-|colspan="3" | [[File:Ankarafantsika_National_Park_009.jpg|600px]]|- |[[File:Ankarafantsika_National_Park_016.jpg|196px]]|align="center"|[[File:Ankarafantsika_National_Park_015.jpg|196px]]|align="right"|[[File:Ankarafantsika_National_Park_014.jpg|196px]]|}<br>

* nocturnal lemurs: Mouse lemur, Milne-Edwards's sportive lemur, Western wolly woolly lemur, Western Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur

* panoramic view on the lavaka [[Lavaka of Ankarokaroka]] formation and waterfallGuide: 25,000 Ariary (1-6 people), 37,000 Ariary (7 and or more people)<br><br>

This circuit is dedicated to the [[Lake Ravelobe ]] with the opportunity to admire the lake from very impressive points.

* rebptilesreptiles: chameleons, snakes, lizards

Guide: 25,000 Ariary (1-6 people), 37,000 Ariary (7 and or more people)<br><br>

Boat safari on the quiet, 60ha large [[Lake Ravelobe]]. The guide will tell the legend of Ravelobe, a dangerous and feared man in the ''garafantsy'' (hill of thorns).* [[Nile crocodile|Nile crocodiles]]* birds: osprey, herons, egrets, jacanas, morhens, Glossy ibis, [[African darter]], wild ducks

Guide and boat: 50.,000 Ariary (1-2 people), 40.,000 Ariary (3 people), 50.,000 (4 people), 65.,000 Ariary (5 people), 70.,000 Ariary (6 people), 90.,000 Ariary (7 people), 100.,000 Ariary (8 people). Not more than Maximum 8 people.<br> {| class="imageTable"|-|colspan="3" | [[File:Ankarafantsika_National_Park_033.jpg|600px]]|- |[[File:Ankarafantsika_National_Park_032.jpg|196px]]|align="center"|[[File:Ankarafantsika_National_Park_025.jpg|196px]]|align="right"|[[File:African_darter_001.jpg|196px]]|}<br>

Drive through the secondary forest and savanna to [[Lavaka of Ankarokaroka]], an a canyon with impressive multicoloured erosions in the shape of fairy houses and chimneys. Walk through the canyon. This circuit is especially striking at sunset.

Guide and car: 50.,000 Ariary (1-2 people), 75.,000 Ariary (3 people), 100.,000 Ariary (4 people), 125.,000 Ariary (5 people), 150.,000 Ariary (6 people). Maximum of 6 people.<br> {| class="imageTable"|-|colspan="3" | [[File:Ankarafantsika_National_Park_017.jpg|600px]]|- |[[File:Ankarafantsika_National_Park_022.jpg|196px]]|align="center"|[[File:Ankarafantsika_National_Park_021.jpg|196px]]|align="right"|[[File:Ankarafantsika_National_Park_018.jpg|196px]]|}<br>

== Accommodation in/and outside the park ==

[[Madagascar National Parks ]] has set up a park lodge directly at the park entrance in Ampijoroa to accommodate visitors. The lodge offers various rooms, camping placeground, a kitchen and cookers if needed, shared bathroom with hot and cold water, toilets, solar lighting and a parking place. The restaurant offers breakfast and warm hot meals. Advance booking is recommended.

* rent for the use of open air kitchen for a group (including dining hall): 10,000 Ariary per day* rent for use of the dining room for a group of up to 30 people: 65,000 Ariary per night

There are more basic Malagasy-run accommodation possibilities in the village of [[Andranofasika]], 4 four kilometres from Ampijoroa.<br><br>

* Historic underground cave - in [[Anjohibe]], 120km towards Majunga[[Mahajanga]], accessible by car

* ''Fanompoana'' - every year in July the Sakalava people celebrate the [[fanompoana]] to ask for the protection and the blessing of the Sakalava’s Kings. This famous tradition is very highly respected by the local population.<br><br>

* ''Famadihana'' - literally translated translates into "turning of the bones"- . On this occasion the family commemorates the life of the deceased. Therefore they remains of the decedent are taken from the tomb and rewrapped re-wrapped in a new winding sheet. However, this funeral ceremony isn't supposed to be sad at all. Instead the family will organise a big party with food, traditional music and dance to proof prove that they have not forgotten the deceased.* ''Tromba'' - literally translated translates into "an evil spirit possessing someone". The Sakalava believe, that spirits can possess humans who fall in trance. At the [[tromba]], ancestor worship is practised in form of a ceremonial communication with the dead in trance. During a specific and secret ritual, a talented person for the invocation will be possessed by spirits. As the sacred deliverer, this tromba is then able to direct the important rituals of the village. These mediums are consulted in order to communicate with the ancestors. To fully embody the character, the medium takes over the characteristics of language and behaviour of the reincarnated person.

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