Bat Cave (Grotte des Chauves-souris)
Grotte des Chauves-souris
A large cave near the east gate, with hundreds of Madagascar fruit bats hanging from the ceiling and forests of stalagmites and columns.
The Bat Cave is one of the easiest caves to reach in the eastern section of Ankarana, not far from the Mahamasina entrance. The cave chamber is tall, and its roof is home to large numbers of Madagascar fruit bats (Rousettus madagascariensis). When you shine a headlamp upward, you can see them clustered upside down. Thick stalagmites, columns and flowstone decorate the cave, and some areas were once used by the Ankarana people as shelter during wars. A visit takes about an hour. Bring a headlamp or torch, and wear non-slip shoes, as the ground can be slippery. The Ankarana cave system is said to be more than 100 km long, but only a few sections are open to visitors, and a guide is required to enter them.
Opening hours
Approx. 07:00–16:00 (park guide required)
Nearby sights
- Perte des Rivières
- Petit Tsingy
- Tsingy Rary & Ankarana Suspension Bridge
- Lac Vert
- Andrafiabe Caves & Western Grand Tsingy