Masoala National Park
Masoala National Park is located in the North Eastern part of Uganda with rainforest on an island covering an area of 2,300 km² terrestrial and 100 km² of marine reserves. The rainforest is part of the Atsinanana situated in Sava and Analanjirofo regions near Maroantsetra, accessible only by boat or on multi-day treks
The Park includes various terrain landscapes i.e lowland rainforest, littoral/coastal forest, marshes, flooded forests, mangroves, coral reefs, and pristine beaches. The Mountains elevate to about 1,224 m with forest descending towards the turquoise coastal waters.
The wildlife animals you watch include; 11 species of lemurs i.e red ruffed lemur, Masoala woolly lemur, fork-marked, sportive, greater dwarf, mouse lemurs, aye-aye, white-fronted brown lemur. Other mammals you watch include; the fossa, Malagasy civet, lowland streaked tenrec, hedgehog tenrec.
Reptiles & amphibians yu watch are the Panther, hooded and stump-tailed chameleons, leaf-tailed and day geckos; tomato frogs; sunset moths. Birds are the helmet vanga, Bernier’s vanga, red-breasted coua, scaly ground-roller, Madagascar serpent eagle, Madagascar red owl.
Marine life: 164 coral species, 90+ reef fish, sea turtles, dugong, and humpback whales frequent Antongil Bay (July–Sept)
Best Time to Visit
One of the wettest places in Madagascar, with rainfall between 300–400 cm annually. The dry season is the best time to visit in the months of September and December.
Dry season (Sept–Dec) offers the best hiking and wildlife viewing
Avoid cyclone season (Jan–March) and rough seas that can delay boat and flight access
Activities & Access
Hiking: Trek through rugged rainforest terrain—expect wet, slippery trails and rivers to cross
Water activities: Snorkel or kayak in marine reserves (Tampolo, Ambodilaitry, Ifaho); tour Antongil Bay
Nosy Mangabe: A small island reserve off Maroantsetra, ideal for spotting aye-aye and Brookesia chameleons and with historic Dutch inscriptions
Whale watching: Best from July to early September