30 kilometers northward Ambilobe (150 km southward Diego Suarez on the RN6), Ankarana National Park is not only a complex unity of chalky rock named Tsingy of 18.225 ha. In its bowels hides an underground system of 120 km of rivers creating "a work of art": the Loss of Water that descends in small cascade on steps of a natural creek by sculpting them untiringly. 200 millions of years were necessary to fashion tens of listed caves . InTsimiharo I time , Antakarana king, geological cavities of the mountain served as refuge against the attempt of merina unification of Radama I (1810-1828). Now , an archaeological circuit strong in emotion proposes the visit of caves containing potteries and bone fragments certifying the occupation of these caves . No seasonal restriction limits the visit, but the authorization of the local notable is necessary.

The deciduous forest can be met on deep grounds around the Great Canyon : it is a real botanical treasure with its great trees as Canarium of Madagascar and Pandanus, easily penetrable despite lianas and under woods. A few beautiful aerial orchids can also be seen . In rocky zones, many rupicole vegetation easy to discover waits visitors.

A particular mention for crocodiles and bats : the first is a sacred animal for Antakarana following the malediction casted by a badly welcome visitor who turned into saurians all inhabitants of a village after a small deluge . The bats (13 species) that colonize the totality of caves with rich stalactites and stalagmites shining with thousand fires under the glows of torches, do not feel at all disturb by visitors. We will mention also the varied "Mesite" (the rarest bird in the world) with 91 other species of birds, 10 species of lemurs as well as some chameleons, snakes.