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Montagne d'Ambre

Montagne d'Ambre (Ambre Mountain) is an isolated patch of montane forest that rises from the surrounding dry region. The park is famous for its waterfalls, crater lakes, and wildlife.

Montagne d'Ambre is located near Joffreville (Ambohitra), about 27 km southwest of Diego Suarez (Antsiranana). Joffreville, a former retreat for French officers that is now in a state of disrepair, is the entry point to the park. Guides (some of the best in Madagascar) can be arranged at the ANGAP office or via local hotels.

Montagne d'Ambre is made up of montane rainforest, mid-altitude rainforest, and dry deciduous forest. It has broad trails and camping areas, and is characterized by wind and cool weather, even becoming quite cold at night.

Montagne d'Ambre is known for its rich diversity of herps, especially chameleons.

BASIC INFORMATION

Province: Antsiranana (Diégo-Suarez)

Area: 18,200

Protected area status: National park

Year established: 1958

General location: Northern

Location and Access: 27 km southwest of Diégo, 1000 km north of Tana

Climate: Montane rainforest

Best time to visit: August-early December. Dec-April is the cyclone/rainy season.

Average temperature:

Elevation: 800 to 1475 m

Precipitation: 350-400 cm

Description: Ambre Mountain is an isolated patch of montane forest that rises from the surrounding dry region. The park is famous for its waterfalls and crater lakes.

FAUNA
Birds: 75
Reptiles: 59
   Chameleons: 11
   Snakes: 14
Frogs: 34
Mammals: 25
   Lemurs: 8
  • Eulemur coronatus
  • Eulemur fulvus sanfordi
  • Hapalemur griseus
  • Phaner furcifer
  • Microcebus rufus
  • Cheirogaleus major
  • Lepilemur septentrionalis
  • Daubentonia madagascariensis
   Rodents: 2
   Insectivores: 6
   Bats: 3
   Carnivores: 6
Butterflies: 36

FLORA:
Amber Mountain is made up of montane rainforest, mid-altitude rainforest, and dry deciduous forest.
Species: 1020

Dominant ethnic group(s): Antakarana, Sakalava

Official site

LODGING

Upscale
  • Le Domaine de Fontenay is one of the best hotels in Madagascar. The small bed-and-breakfast has its own 300-ha (750-acre) forest park complete with waterfalls and a trail system. Expect to find a rich array of birds, lemurs, herps, and other wildlife. Le Domaine de Fontenay also has a resident Aldabra Giant Tortoise (Geochelone gigantea), which may be more than 200 years old.
Mid- to upper-market
  • Nature Lodge in Joffreville
MAP/Satellite Picture PICTURES


Amber Mountain chameleon (Calumma ambreense)



Leaf-mimicking treehopper



Purple flower



Spearpoint Leaf-tail Gecko (Uroplatus ebenaui)



Petter's Chameleon (Furcifer petteri) [female]



Brookesia tuberculata



Amber Mountain Rock-thrush (Monticola erythronotus) [male]



Sanford's Brown Lemur (Eulemur sanfordi)



Bird nest ferns



Birdnest fern in the rainforest canopy



Butterfly



Trail in Montagne d'Ambre



Plated Leaf Chameleon (Brookesia stumpffi)



Plant



Red and black bugs



Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur (Cheirogaleus medius)



Mossy Leaftail Gecko (Uroplatus sikorae)



Leaf-mimicking treehopper



Brookesia antakarana



Montagne d'Ambre Panther chameleon



Ring-tailed mongoose (Galidia elegans)



Montagne d'Ambre forest canopy



Insect



Butterfly



Cascade d'Antomboka (Grande Cascade)



Camouflaged Amber Mountain chameleon (Calumma ambreense)



Lantern bug



Male Crowned lemur (Eulemur coronatus)



Brookesia antakarana



Mossy Leaftail Gecko (Uroplatus sikorae)



Blue-nosed Chameleon (Calumma boettgeri)



Giant bamboo



Plant



Amber Mountain chameleon (Calumma ambreense)



Female Crowned lemur (Eulemur coronatus)



Brookesia Chameleon; Madagascar



Mantidactylus asper?



Leaf-mimicking treehopper



Amber Mountain chameleon (Calumma ambreense)



View from Joffreville



Orange and black "Halloween" butterfly



Yellow flower



Overlook from the Le Domaine de Fontenay's private forest



Frog



Mossy Leaftail Gecko (Uroplatus sikorae)



Strangler fig



Moth wing with orange eye-spot



Brookesia Chameleon; Madagascar



Amber Mountain chameleon (Calumma ambreense)



Birdnest ferns



Panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) sleeping



Leaf-mimicking treehopper



Insect



Spear-tail Leaf-tail Gecko (Uroplatus ebenaui)



Baby yellow and black grasshoppers



Amber Mountain Rock-thrush (Monticola erythronotus) [male]



Butterfly



Crowned lemur (Eulemur coronatus)



Female Crowned lemur (Eulemur coronatus)



Mossy Leaftail Gecko (Uroplatus sikorae)




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Pictures on this site were taken with a Konica Minolta



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Beautifully illustrated with full color photographs throughout, Madagascar Wildlife is a celebration of the unique fauna of a remarkable island and the perfect accompaniment to Bradt's popular general travel guide, Madagascar.


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