Zahamena National Park - Geography

Geography

The park, in the eastern part of the Madagascar island, is 40 kilometres (25 mi) north-east of Ambatondrazaka, 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from Manakambahiny-East, 70 kilometres (43 mi) to the northwest of Tamatave and about 25 kilometres (16 mi) east from Lake Alaotra. It is considered to be difficult to reach, so doesn't attract many tourists. It is part of the rainforest topography and ecology of the Rainforests of the Atsinanana. It is located in rugged, undulating topography of the eastern rock faces as part of the mountainous hinterland of Madagascar with an elevation range of 254–1,560 metres (833–5,120 ft). This terrain forms the dividing line of the lowlands. The land area of the park has well defined boundaries on the north east and south. The park is divided into two zones (on the east and west) by a corridor with settled villages in between. The park area is made up of many valleys and is drained by rivers such as the Sahatavy River and the Sarondrina River. On the north-west side of the park there are many more rivers which drain into Lake Alaotra. The office of the park administration is situated at Antanandava. Climatically, the park relieves an annual rainfall in the range of 180-200 cm; the average temperature recorded is in the range of 15-28C.