In the morning, after we said goodbye to the KAFS crew and the volunteers, we took taxi -brousse back to Fiana. There we had lunch while waiting for our bus to Ranohira. Ranohira is a small village a few hours from Fiana and a base for Isalo NP. On the way there, it is worth visiting Anja Reserve, to see ring-tail lemurs.
For accommodation and meals, I recommend Chez Alice. It is a great hotel/motel (separated bungalows and huts) with a view of Isalo canyons. During the night it is quiet and peaceful, and huts or bungalows (different comfort and price) are nice and clean. Bungalows have their own bathroom, and there is a possibility to choose those with hot or cold water. There is also an attached restaurant, with delicious food. They can also arrange a picnic bag for your day trip to Isalo NP.
Isalo NP is one of the most popular NP in Madagascar, and there are good reasons for this. The landscape is amazing and there are different hikes suitable for all age groups and fitness levels.
The most popular hike is a hike to La pisicine naturelle (Natural swimming pool), but my advice is to take a longer hike (7-9 hours altogether), which covers La Piscine, but also Les cascade des nymphes and Black pool, and a nice picnic near the river.
The Flora and fauna of the park are amazing; there is a possibility to see many endemic plant species (including many palms and pachyderms), and different animal life; like chameleons, insects, and lemurs (mostly ring-tailed and brown lemurs, sifakas are more difficult to see). Trails are clearly marked and our guide was knowledgeable and easy in spotting many (for us hidden) animals.
If you come by public transportation to Ranohira, my advice is to take a taxi to the entrance of the national park (around 5 km) and to arrange with the driver to wait for you at the end of the tour (more or less this price is fixed), because the road from Ranohira to the entrance is quite monotonous and shadeless. If you are alone, or a couple, it is also worth asking while buying a ticket if anybody wants to join you, so the price of the mandatory guide would be cheaper per person (the price is the same till 4 persons).
For more luxurious accommodations there are a few resorts like Isalo Rock Lodge, Le Jardin de Roi and few others.
All pictures by Maku Faye
