The combination of fair accessibility, comfortable accommodation, scenic beauty and varid wildlife make the 158-sq-mi-/410-sq-km Ranomafana Nationa Park (about 40 mi/66 km from Fianarantsoa) one of the most alluring protected areas in Madagascar. It is quite possible to see 10 different lemur species in the course of a stay of two or three days. There is also an otherwise elusive small carnivore called the Malagasy striped civet.
More than 120 bird species have been recorded, and it's a good place for forest couas and ground rollers. Hiking conditions are excellent, even along the main road through the park, which follows a spectacular river as it tumbles downhill to the hot-spring resort for which the park is named.
