Ankarana Special Reserve
Malaria & Safety
Madagascar Parks
Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Insight guide to Madagascar.
Safety
Ankarana is very safe to visit in our opinion. It is rare to encounter any crime in any of the established parks and reserves on the island and Ankarana is no exception. When visiting towns between parks, normal safety precautions should be followed. Read ‘Cities & Urban Areas: Safety Precautions’ below for more information.
For current information about safety in Madagascar, it is worth checking the government travel advisories (see the ‘Safety & Security – Madagascar’ link below).
Malaria & Vaccinations
Several vaccinations are recommended before coming to Madagascar. Malaria is a real concern in Madagascar and in Ankarana in particular. The risk is highest in the Wet season when there are many mosquitoes. Aside from taking antimalarials, the use of mosquito repellent (those containing DEET are best) and covering up in the evening are highly recommended.
Wildlife Viewing
There are no dangerous mammals in Madagascar, but it does have some beautiful, non-venomous snakes, and guides regularly show them to visitors. There are some venomous spiders on the island and the rocky terrain of Ankarana is a prime habitat for scorpions. When camping in the reserve it is recommended not to walk around barefoot and to check shoes before putting them on. However, scorpion stings and spider bites are very rare.
For more information, please read the 'Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions' below.