Ranomafana Arboretum
Ranomafana Arboretum
4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Ranomafana Arboretum and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
3 within 5 kms
Attractions
2 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.0
22 reviews
Excellent
8
Very good
8
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
1
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Gitty
Utrecht, The Netherlands24 contributions
Aug 2019
I took some persuasions (as I am a biologist) to get the rest of the family to visit this place. I was one big positive surprise. We learned a lot about (palm)trees, ofcourse. But there were so many birds and other animals that the guide could spot, that it felt more like a trip to the wild zoo.
Written 12 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aruna Gunawardena
Colombo, Sri Lanka5,693 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
Fantastic idea & great work to establish such a good job. But disappointed with the state at the place. Please manicure your garden. It was not kept well. We had to come twice as the gate keeper was not there. When we called the number. No answer.
When we finally came, his first question was payment 😂
When we finally came, his first question was payment 😂
Written 31 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
a_freq_traveller
New York City, NY34 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
We weren’t sure what to expect given some of the mediocre reviews on this site. However we were pleasantly surprised. Although the signage is in need of replacement, in most cases it is still perfectly functional and was very interesting to see the different types of trees. Also the Arboretum itself is located at a very lovely spot on the river so you get some very nice views.Also the guides in the park are very friendly and they took great pains to come out and show us some birds, snakes, chameleons and cute tenrecs which we have not have found on our own.
Probably very lovely when everything blooming
Probably very lovely when everything blooming
Written 27 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Soul M
129 contributions
July 2017 • Couples
After having visited the national park of Ranomafana in the morning, you can walk to the thermal spring or go to the arboretum of Ranomafana to learn more about the trees and timber of Madagascar. It is a very quiet place with a nice view to the "small river". It has a good place for picnic lunch.
Written 15 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen H
Reading, England, United Kingdom5 contributions
Oct 2019 • Friends
We chose to visit this arboretum instead of another interesting but very hot and humid trek in the rain forest and we made the right decision as the forest was full of tourists and we would have had to walk well beyond our capabilities to get to see any lemurs before large groups gathered. In contrast we were the only 2 visitors in the arboretum and had a very helpful guide (Christof) for a 90 minute guided tour. There is a great collection of trees which is still being added to and many chameleons. Views over the river are good. As an added bonus it is a community project with entrance fees being reinvested in it. Thoroughly recommended.
Written 4 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rumples
Tucson, AZ11,708 contributions
July 2019
My husband and I went here in the afternoon with a private guide, who had been accompanying us throughout Southern Madagascar. I had spent the morning in nearby Ranomafana National Park, successfully searching for lemurs, but my husband could not join me then because of mobility problems. Our guide thought this arboretum would be easier to get around and that it offered an opportunity to see both chameleons and myriad species of trees. No other visitors were here during our short, half-hour stay.
Two arboretum guides joined us and soon spotted a big, beautiful, light-blue-and-yellow Parson’s chameleon, the world’s largest chameleon, found in the rainforests of Eastern and Northern Madagascar. He gently coaxed it onto a stick and placed it on a tree much closer to us. Then he proceeded to go into much detail about the reptile. He discussed some of the vegetation in the arboretum, and, in the process, located another chameleon. This one he enticed to demonstrate its long tongue by offering it a live grasshopper on a long stick. The tongue action proved to be so fast that we almost missed it. A third, much-younger chameleon also revealed itself.
We would have stayed longer to learn more about the trees, but my husband needed to rest. I think about one hour would be a good use of time here, especially with an arboretum guide There is an admission charge. The arboretum is about 2 kilometers East of Ranomafana.
Two arboretum guides joined us and soon spotted a big, beautiful, light-blue-and-yellow Parson’s chameleon, the world’s largest chameleon, found in the rainforests of Eastern and Northern Madagascar. He gently coaxed it onto a stick and placed it on a tree much closer to us. Then he proceeded to go into much detail about the reptile. He discussed some of the vegetation in the arboretum, and, in the process, located another chameleon. This one he enticed to demonstrate its long tongue by offering it a live grasshopper on a long stick. The tongue action proved to be so fast that we almost missed it. A third, much-younger chameleon also revealed itself.
We would have stayed longer to learn more about the trees, but my husband needed to rest. I think about one hour would be a good use of time here, especially with an arboretum guide There is an admission charge. The arboretum is about 2 kilometers East of Ranomafana.
Written 22 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
annitrom
Zwolle, The Netherlands30 contributions
Oct 2018 • Solo
I was the only visitor there, and it's a lovely place to spend an hour or so. The guide was very knowledgeable and explained things well. Also about the use of different wood by the population. As logical as it sounds, the trees don't grow as fast as they are cut in the country.
There are many different types of banana trees, seemed like at least 15! And you can see chameleons there, in the wild.
The park has only been there since 1994, and they still try to get more species of trees. It's a pleasant place, with information boards under small roofs. So when it rains, you can read up on some of the details.
There are many different types of banana trees, seemed like at least 15! And you can see chameleons there, in the wild.
The park has only been there since 1994, and they still try to get more species of trees. It's a pleasant place, with information boards under small roofs. So when it rains, you can read up on some of the details.
Written 12 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DanyEarth
Paris, France32,690 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Ranomafana, in addition to its park, has an arboretum, called Kelilalina, which is located on the edge of the RN25, at the exit of the city in the direction of Mananjary. It should make it possible to observe species endemic to the island. The welcome is rather indifferent and the guide quite relaxed. We were able to see the endemic plants of the big island, in particular palm trees, ravinalas or traveler's tree, fan-shaped emblems of Madagascar. I didn't see any birds, but maybe it was too late in the day. Two types of chameleons were seen, after a laborious search, moving in the trees. It is then that the orange-colored "Furcifer Pardalis" appears to us and another larger one, dressed in green with its large crowned head, the "Calumna Parsoni", which moves slowly. I have the impression that these chameleons, are part of the usual heritage of this place. In addition, as I am interested in butterflies, I was able to observe "metalmarks" such as "Saribia Tepahi" and "Saribia Ochracea". From the park, we have a view of the Namorona river, which flows in the valley bordered by high wooded hills, although with deforested parts!!!.
Written 17 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda Blk
Italy9 contributions
July 2024 • Friends
Ranomafana Arboretum is a must for nature and biodiversity lovers. Located near Ranomafana National Park, this arboretum offers a fascinating insight into the endemic flora of Madagascar.
During the visit, I was impressed by the wide variety of plants, many of them rare and unique, that the arboretum hosts. Local guides are extremely knowledgeable and passionate, ready to share detailed information about each species and explain the importance of conservation of these extraordinary plants.
During the visit, I was impressed by the wide variety of plants, many of them rare and unique, that the arboretum hosts. Local guides are extremely knowledgeable and passionate, ready to share detailed information about each species and explain the importance of conservation of these extraordinary plants.
Automatically translated
Written 6 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GENNERAT
Lyon, France12 contributions
July 2024 • Family
Beautiful! Absolutely extraordinary views at the end of the day when the sun goes down, quiet and very soothing places.
Allow half an hour or more if you want to rest there.
Allow half an hour or more if you want to rest there.
Automatically translated
Written 12 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing