Kirindy Forest offers excellent wildlife viewing. In particular, it is the best place to see Madagascar’s most sought-after predator, the fossa. By day, Verreaux’s sifaka and red-fronted brown lemur are commonly sighted. Species to look for at night include the Malagasy giant rat and some of Kirindy’s six nocturnal lemur species.
Wildlife Highlights
The ultimate highlight in Kirindy Forest is coming eye to eye with a fossa. Look for them around the Ecolodge and reserve headquarters. If possible, visit in October or November when they play out their elaborate mating ritual. Nocturnal lemur species include the red-tailed sportive lemur, grey mouse lemur, pale fork-marked lemur, fat-tailed dwarf lemur, Coquerel's giant mouse lemur and Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur, one of the world’s smallest primate species.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
Kirindy Forest offers great wildlife viewing throughout the year. The main draw is the fossa and sightings are almost guaranteed at any time. However, fossas become more active from October onward, and from late October to late November you might find them mating. Reptiles, tenrecs and some dwarf and mouse lemurs are easier to see after rain. This is also true for the localized giant jumping rat (the Malagasy giant rat), which hibernates during the Dry season (April to October).