Tsaratanana Reserve, Protected nature reserve in Antsiranana Province, Madagascar.
Tsaratanana Reserve is a protected area in northwestern Madagascar featuring forests, rivers, waterfalls, and hot springs distributed across different elevations. The landscape transitions from densely forested valleys to higher mountain regions with diverse ecosystems.
The reserve was established in 1927 to protect Madagascar's northern mountain ecosystems and water sources. This early conservation effort was among the first of its kind on the island.
The Sakalava and Tsimihety people have relied on this land for fresh water and forest resources for generations. Their traditional use of the area remains visible in how the landscape is managed today.
The reserve is remote, so visitors should come with guides and adequate supplies for their stay. Good physical fitness is needed for hiking in the mountainous terrain.
Madagascar's highest peak, Maromokotro, sits within the reserve at approximately 2900 meters elevation. This mountain region is home to several frog species found nowhere else in the world.
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