| Ankarana Special Reserve | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
 Ankarana reserve | |
  Location of Ankarana Reserve | |
| Location | Diana Region, Madagascar |
| Nearest city | Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) |
| Coordinates | 13°4′22″S 48°54′53″E / 13.07278°S 48.91472°E |
| Area | 182 km2 (70 sq mi) |
| Established | 20 February 1956 |
| Governing body | Madagascar National Parks |
Ankarana Special Reserve is a protected area in northern Madagascar created in 1956. It is a small, partially vegetated plateau composed of 150-million-year-old middle Jurassic limestone.[1] With an average annual rainfall of about 2,000 millimetres (79 in),[1] the underlying rocks have been eroded to produce caves and feed subterranean rivers—a karst topography. The rugged relief and the dense vegetation have helped protect the region from human intrusion.
The southern entrance of the park is in Mahamasina (commune of Tanambao Marivorahona) on the Route nationale 6 some 108 km south-west of Antsiranana and 29 km (18 mi) north-east of Ambilobe. There are also some hotels found at the entrance.
