Plizio Visual Lab

Berenty Reserve

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Animal habitat

Weather…

Berenty Reserve is a private nature reserve located in southern Madagascar, established in 1936 by the de Heaulme family. Situated along the banks of the Mandrare River, it is famous for its unique combination of gallery forest and semi-arid spiny forest. The reserve gained international fame through the decades of research conducted by primatologist Alison Jolly on the resident ring-tailed lemurs. Visitors to Berenty can observe these iconic lemurs, as well as the 'dancing' Verreaux's sifakas, at very close range due to their habituation to humans. The flora is dominated by bizarre Alluaudia plants, which are perfectly adapted to the region's extreme dry conditions. Berenty is one of the most studied wildlife areas in Madagascar, providing key insights into lemur social behavior and ecology. Despite its modest size, it serves as a critical refuge for endangered species and stands as a pioneering example of private conservation efforts on the island.

Location: Madagascar
Nearby: Ambovombe (27 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	26	26	25	23	22	20	19	20	22	24	25	26
Rain mm	219	205	208	131	90	58	55	46	50	82	114	176

📋 Practical info

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Best season

The best time to visit Berenty Reserve is the dry season from April to October, when lemurs are more active and sunbathe in the canopy. In the wet season, many trails are muddy and animals are less visible.

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Best time of day

Ring-tailed lemurs are most active early morning and late afternoon when foraging for food. During the midday heat, they often rest in the shade of trees.

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Etiquette

Please do not feed the lemurs, as it disrupts their natural behavior and can make them sick. Keep a respectful distance of at least two meters.

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What to bring

Binoculars are useful for closer observation of lemurs in the tree canopy. Comfortable walking shoes and a sun hat are recommended.

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Getting there

Berenty Reserve is in southern Madagascar, about 90 kilometers west of Fort Dauphin. It is accessible by car or organized tour, though road conditions can be challenging.

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What to expect

The lemurs are relatively tame and often found near visitor paths. However, they may rest during the day - a quiet wait is worthwhile.