The Fosa (sometimes spelled “Fossa”) is Madagascar’s largest carnivorous mammal.
It looks like a mix between a small puma and a mongoose, but it is neither a cat nor a dog — it belongs to a unique family of carnivores called Eupleridae, endemic to Madagascar.
Adult fosas weigh between 7–12 kg and are up to 80 cm long (excluding their long tail).
They are agile climbers and fast runners, perfectly adapted to hunt lemurs, their main prey.
Behavior: Solitary, territorial, active by day and night (especially early morning and late afternoon).
Kirindy Forest: The Best Place to See the Fosa
Location: Kirindy Morondava.
Location: Ambararata NP in Belo sur Mer.
Habitat: Dry deciduous forest, teeming with baobabs, lemurs, and rare endemic species.
Why Kirindy? ➔ It’s the only place where you have a high chance of seeing a fosa in the wild, especially during certain seasons (see below).
Other Wildlife at Kirindy:
Several lemur species (e.g., Verreaux’s sifaka, red-fronted brown lemur)
Giant jumping rats
Many reptiles (chameleons, snakes)
Birds and insects
Best Time to See the Fosa
September to November: Peak mating season — the fosa becomes much more active and easier to spot.
Year-round: Always possible to encounter them, but sightings are less predictable outside the mating season.
Quick Tips for Seeing the Fosa
Stay overnight at Kirindy to join early morning and night walks.
Be patient and quiet — the fosa is shy but curious and sometimes approaches lodges.
Bring good binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens!
