Anja Community Reserve, Nature reserve near Ambalavao, Madagascar.

Anja Community Reserve is a 34-hectare dry-forest reserve near Ambalavao, set between savanna, rice paddies and vegetable plots. Three isolated granite massifs, the Telo Mirahavavy or "Three Sisters", dominate the site, with fallen boulders and two small caves sheltering bats and owls. A pocket of forest has grown between the boulders, and a freshwater lake lies at the base of the cliff.

Human presence at Anja is documented before 1815, during the Betsileo kingdom; up to 200 people could take refuge on the site. The kingdom of Anja was conquered by the Merina around 1817. Under French colonisation, villagers were settled on the spot and required to pay taxes.

The Telo Mirahavavy, or "Three Sisters", granite formations are sacred: they hold the ancestral tombs of families from the surrounding communities, and the burial site is still in use. Two of the tombs can be seen along one of the visitor trails. The reserve is run by Association Anja Miray, founded in 1999, to which about 2,500 villagers may belong.

Two hiking trails run through the reserve with routes lasting from two to six hours, and local guides are required for all visitors. The trails vary in difficulty and duration, so planning ahead helps match a route to your fitness level.

The reserve is home to Madagascar's largest population of ring-tailed lemurs, with around 300 individuals living among the rocky formations. These lemurs are particularly adapted to the rocky habitat and display remarkable climbing and jumping abilities.