Ankarafantsika National Park

🇲🇬 Madagascar

🐒 Coquerel's Sifakas Leaping Through Dry Forests
🌍 #120 Global · 4.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #47 in Africa #54 in Tropical Forest
Madagascar, Madagascar 438 spp. recorded

Ankarafantsika National Park is a protected area of tropical dry forest situated in northwestern Madagascar. Visitors walk along sandy tracks beneath towering deciduous trees and past scattered savanna pockets, experiencing a landscape markedly different from the eastern rainforests.

-16.137° S   47.120° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Coquerel's Sifaka ★
CR Endemic

Coquerel's Sifaka

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Propithecus coquereli

80–90% · Very likely
Oustalet's Giant Chameleon ★
LC Endemic

Oustalet's Giant Chameleon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Furcifer oustaleti

80–90% · Very likely
Henkel's Leaf-tailed Gecko ★
VU

Henkel's Leaf-tailed Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Uroplatus henkeli

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Crested Drongo
LC

Crested Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus forficatus

80–90% · Very likely
Madagascar Paradise-Flycatcher
LC

Madagascar Paradise-Flycatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Terpsiphone mutata

80–90% · Very likely
Cuvier's Madagascar Swift
LC

Cuvier's Madagascar Swift

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Oplurus cuvieri

80–90% · Very likely
Western Girdled Lizard
LC Endemic

Western Girdled Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Zonosaurus laticaudatus

80–90% · Very likely
Madagascar Bulbul
LC

Madagascar Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Hypsipetes madagascariensis

80–90% · Very likely
Koch's Giant Day Gecko
LC Endemic

Koch's Giant Day Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Phelsuma kochi

80–90% · Very likely
Souimanga Sunbird
LC

Souimanga Sunbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cinnyris sovimanga

80–90% · Very likely
Madagascar Magpie-Robin
LC Endemic

Madagascar Magpie-Robin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Copsychus albospecularis

70–80% · Very likely
Common Newtonia
LC Endemic

Common Newtonia

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Newtonia brunneicauda

70–80% · Very likely
Giant Madagascan Hognose Snake
LC Endemic

Giant Madagascan Hognose Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Leioheterodon madagascariensis

70–80% · Very likely
Rhinoceros Chameleon
VU Endemic

Rhinoceros Chameleon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Furcifer rhinoceratus

70–80% · Very likely
Crested Coua
LC Endemic

Crested Coua

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coua cristata

70–80% · Very likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Coquerel's Sifaka ★
CR Endemic

Coquerel's Sifaka

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Propithecus coquereli

80–90% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Milne-Edwards' Sportive Lemur
EN Endemic

Milne-Edwards' Sportive Lemur

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Lepilemur edwardsi

60–70% · Likely
Lorenz Von Liburnau’s Woolly Lemur
VU Endemic

Lorenz Von Liburnau’s Woolly Lemur

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Avahi occidentalis

60–70% · Likely
Common Brown Lemur
VU

Common Brown Lemur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Eulemur fulvus

50–60% · Likely
Grey Mouse-lemur
LC Endemic

Grey Mouse-lemur

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Microcebus murinus

40–50% · Likely
Mongoose Lemur
CR

Mongoose Lemur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Eulemur mongoz

40–50% · Likely
Western Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur
VU Endemic

Western Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Cheirogaleus medius

30–40% · Possible
Golden-brown Mouse Lemur
VU Endemic

Golden-brown Mouse Lemur

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Microcebus ravelobensis

30–40% · Possible
Mauritian Tomb Bat
LC

Mauritian Tomb Bat

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Taphozous mauritianus

30–40% · Possible
dormouse tufted-tailed rat
LC Endemic

dormouse tufted-tailed rat

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Eliurus myoxinus

Insufficient data
Commerson's Roundleaf Bat
NT Endemic

Commerson's Roundleaf Bat

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Macronycteris commersonii

Insufficient data
🐒 No photo available
LC Endemic

Western sucker-footed bat

Mammal

Myzopoda schliemanni

Insufficient data
Greater Hedgehog Tenrec
LC Endemic

Greater Hedgehog Tenrec

Mammal

Setifer setosus

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Crested Drongo
LC

Crested Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus forficatus

80–90% · Very likely
Madagascar Paradise-Flycatcher
LC

Madagascar Paradise-Flycatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Terpsiphone mutata

80–90% · Very likely
Madagascar Bulbul
LC

Madagascar Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Hypsipetes madagascariensis

80–90% · Very likely
Souimanga Sunbird
LC

Souimanga Sunbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cinnyris sovimanga

80–90% · Very likely
Madagascar Magpie-Robin
LC Endemic

Madagascar Magpie-Robin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Copsychus albospecularis

70–80% · Very likely
Common Newtonia
LC Endemic

Common Newtonia

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Newtonia brunneicauda

70–80% · Very likely
Crested Coua
LC Endemic

Crested Coua

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coua cristata

70–80% · Very likely
Long-billed Bernieria
NT Endemic

Long-billed Bernieria

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Bernieria madagascariensis

60–70% · Likely
Lesser Vasa-Parrot
VU

Lesser Vasa-Parrot

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Coracopsis nigra

60–70% · Likely
Broad-billed Roller
LC

Broad-billed Roller

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Eurystomus glaucurus

60–70% · Likely
Madagascar Bee-eater
LC

Madagascar Bee-eater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Merops superciliosus

60–70% · Likely
Squacco Heron
LC

Squacco Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardeola ralloides

60–70% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Oustalet's Giant Chameleon ★
LC Endemic

Oustalet's Giant Chameleon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Furcifer oustaleti

80–90% · Very likely
Henkel's Leaf-tailed Gecko ★
VU

Henkel's Leaf-tailed Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Uroplatus henkeli

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Cuvier's Madagascar Swift
LC

Cuvier's Madagascar Swift

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Oplurus cuvieri

80–90% · Very likely
Western Girdled Lizard
LC Endemic

Western Girdled Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Zonosaurus laticaudatus

80–90% · Very likely
Koch's Giant Day Gecko
LC Endemic

Koch's Giant Day Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Phelsuma kochi

80–90% · Very likely
Giant Madagascan Hognose Snake
LC Endemic

Giant Madagascan Hognose Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Leioheterodon madagascariensis

70–80% · Very likely
Rhinoceros Chameleon
VU Endemic

Rhinoceros Chameleon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Furcifer rhinoceratus

70–80% · Very likely
Nosy Komba ground boa
Endemic

Nosy Komba ground boa

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Sanzinia volontany

50–60% · Likely
Madagascar Ground Boa
LC Endemic

Madagascar Ground Boa

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Acrantophis madagascariensis

40–50% · Likely
Madagascar Cat-eyed Snake
LC Endemic

Madagascar Cat-eyed Snake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Madagascarophis colubrinus

40–50% · Likely
Blonde Hognose Snake
LC Endemic

Blonde Hognose Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Leioheterodon modestus

40–50% · Likely
Elegant Mabuya
LC Endemic

Elegant Mabuya

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis elegans

40–50% · Likely
Northern Pencil Snake
Endemic

Northern Pencil Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Mimophis occultus

40–50% · Likely
Gunther's Flat-tail Gecko
EN Endemic

Gunther's Flat-tail Gecko

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Uroplatus guentheri

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Madagascar Bullfrog
LC Endemic

Madagascar Bullfrog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Laliostoma labrosum

30–40% · Possible
Mascarene Ridged Frog
LC

Mascarene Ridged Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Ptychadena mascareniensis

30–40% · Possible
Western Bright-eyed Frog
LC Endemic

Western Bright-eyed Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Boophis doulioti

20–30% · Possible
Three-color Reed Frog
LC Endemic

Three-color Reed Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Heterixalus tricolor

Insufficient data
Moquard's Burrowing Frog
LC Endemic

Moquard's Burrowing Frog

Amphibian

Scaphiophryne calcarata

Insufficient data
Antsouhy tomato frog
LC Endemic

Antsouhy tomato frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Dyscophus insularis

Insufficient data
Witte's Madagascar Frog
LC Endemic

Witte's Madagascar Frog

Amphibian

Blommersia wittei

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Coquerel's Sifaka Mating Season

JanFebNovDec

During the rainy season, Coquerel's Sifaka engage in energetic mating displays with vocalizations, leaping between trees and performing acrobatic jumps to attract mates. This period coincides with increased food availability, making it a prime time for observing social behaviors.

Coquerel's Sifaka
CR Endemic

Coquerel's Sifaka

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Propithecus coquereli

80–90% · Very likely
🦎

Reptile Nesting Boom

AprNov

As temperatures rise and humidity peaks, reptiles such as the Giant Madagascan Hognose Snake and Western Girdled Lizard emerge to nest, with females laying eggs in sandy or leaf-littered soil. This coincides with increased hatchling activity, offering unique opportunities to observe juvenile reptiles.

Giant Madagascan Hognose Snake
LC Endemic

Giant Madagascan Hognose Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Leioheterodon madagascariensis

70–80% · Very likely
Western Girdled Lizard
LC Endemic

Western Girdled Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Zonosaurus laticaudatus

80–90% · Very likely
🦌

Nocturnal Lemur Foraging Peak

MayAugOct

During the dry season, nocturnal lemurs like the Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur and Gray Mouse Lemur increase their foraging activity to build fat reserves for hibernation. This period offers exceptional nighttime wildlife viewing, with lemurs actively searching for fruits and insects.

Grey Mouse-lemur
LC Endemic

Grey Mouse-lemur

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Microcebus murinus

40–50% · Likely
Western Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur
VU Endemic

Western Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Cheirogaleus medius

30–40% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
Coquerel's Sifaka
80–90
70–80
60–70
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
90–100
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
Oustalet's Giant Chameleon
80–90
70–80
70–80
90–100
60–70
70–80
90–100
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
80–90
Henkel's Leaf-tailed Gecko
50–60
20–30
20–30
10–20
10–20
10–20
10–20
10–20
40–50
30–40
40–50
10–20
Crested Drongo
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
80–90
90–100
90–100
80–90
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
Madagascar Paradise-Flycatcher
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
70–80
90–100
80–90
80–90
Cuvier's Madagascar Swift
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
Western Girdled Lizard
70–80
70–80
80–90
90–100
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
Madagascar Bulbul
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
80–90
Koch's Giant Day Gecko
60–70
70–80
60–70
80–90
60–70
50–60
70–80
90–100
80–90
80–90
80–90
60–70
Souimanga Sunbird
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
Madagascar Magpie-Robin
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
Common Newtonia
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
80–90
70–80
70–80
Giant Madagascan Hognose Snake
70–80
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
30–40
50–60
80–90
80–90
Rhinoceros Chameleon
60–70
80–90
50–60
80–90
70–80
40–50
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
Crested Coua
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
Animal Events
🦌 Coquerel's Sifaka Mating Season
🦎 Reptile Nesting Boom
🦌 Nocturnal Lemur Foraging Peak

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Excellent
🐒 Coquerel's Sifakas Leaping Through Dry Forests

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
3.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
222
🐒 Mammals
95
🦎 Reptiles
103
🐸 Amphibians
18
438 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
75 Threatened 194 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
4.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
82%
📊
Coverage (131 species at ≥5% of 438 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
30%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (6 bird, 5 reptile, 1 mammal)
46% Global avg
76%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
80
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
12
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
53

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Ankarafantsika National Park?

The most likely sightings are Crested Drongo (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Oustalet's Giant Chameleon (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Madagascar Paradise-Flycatcher (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Coquerel's Sifaka (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Cuvier's Madagascar Swift (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers) — among 438 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Ankarafantsika National Park for wildlife?

October has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Coquerel's Sifaka in Ankarafantsika National Park?

Yes — about 85% of wildlife watchers report a Coquerel's Sifaka sighting in Ankarafantsika National Park, based on 69 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Oustalet's Giant Chameleon in Ankarafantsika National Park?

Yes — about 88% of wildlife watchers report a Oustalet's Giant Chameleon sighting in Ankarafantsika National Park, based on 81 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Henkel's Leaf-tailed Gecko in Ankarafantsika National Park?

Yes — about 32% of wildlife watchers report a Henkel's Leaf-tailed Gecko sighting in Ankarafantsika National Park, based on 7 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

Ankarafantsika or ?

Compare species and sighting probabilities

Compare parks

Explore Other Parks

Ranomafana National Park 📍 565 km 🐒 Golden Bamboo Lemur's Enchanted Forest

Ranomafana National Park

🇲🇬 Madagascar 🌍 #58 Global · 4.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #35 in Africa #18 in Tropical Forest
Berenty Reserve 📍 990 km 🦎 Watch Spiny Chameleons Hunt at Dawn

Berenty Reserve

🇲🇬 Madagascar 🌍 #252 Global · 3.1 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #57 in Africa #22 in Desert & Scrub
Liwonde National Park 📍 1269 km 🐘 Elephant River Spectacles at Liwonde

Liwonde National Park

🇲🇼 Malawi 🌍 #37 Global · 4.7 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #26 in Africa #28 in Savanna & Grassland
Selous Game Reserve 📍 1296 km 🐘 African Bush Elephants Thrive Selous

Selous Game Reserve

🇹🇿 Tanzania 🌍 #61 Global · 4.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #37 in Africa #37 in Savanna & Grassland