Situated in the vast semi-arid region of the southwest of Madagascar, at the Bara country , whose population socio-economic activities turn around the zebu breeding .The site of Zombitse is a classified forest since 1962 ; it obtains the National Park status that it shares with Vohibasia and Isoky in 1997 .
The presence of Bara contributes a great deal to the protection of the park . The Bara defends fiercely the forests they use as natural pasture lands and cattle penning area . More , the Zombitse-Vohibasia forests get their importance from their sacred character , the Vohimena site is especially a Bara royal necropolis , which greatly contributes to the conservation of the whole area .
To go there : the Park is by the national road (RN7) .
Entry tickets are available at the ANGAP office in Anananarivo or in Sakaraha.

Regions of the globe that WWF scientists have identified as being particularly important, even unique , because of their biological diversity, and on which the WWF concentrates its efforts , are regrouped within the 200 Global ; the Zombitse national Park belongs to this institution.

The climate of the region is classified as dry tropical (Donque 1975). The annual average precipitations vary from 721 mm to 833 mm, and occur during a short period of 49 to 60 days. The maximal pluviometery is normally situated in December, with an average of 11 days of rains and 288 mm of precipitation. The region has seven to eight month of dry season between April and November, marked by the fog and strong morning dews in forests and savannahs. Average temperatures are 30°c in January the hottest month , and 14°c in May, the coolerst month . Extreme temperatures of 8°C and 40°C have been measured in the region.

The Forests of Vohibasia and Isoky-Vohimena constitute the most important forest blocks among dry deciduous forest zones existing in Madagascar. They represent the southern limit of the dry deciduous forests of Madagascar as well as the frontier between the eastern and southern floristic areas . The vegetation is a mixture of unities mainly composed of deciduous trees present in different vegetation areas of the country.
Some species endemic to Madagascar that are found in Vohibasia, such as Norohina. Phyllarthron and Quivisianthe, can also be found in eastern humid forests as well as in dry deciduous forests of the West. Some species such Mystroxylon aethiopicum are found everywhere in the Island. A great number of species, such Diospyros sakalavarum, D. tropophylla, Teclea boiviniana and Gyrocarplls americanus are only associated with deciduoud forests of the West. Others species, such Euphorbia anterophora, Brachylaena microphylla and Hildegardia erythrosiphon are generally found in eastern and southern dry forests . For this reason, the forest of Vohibasia can be considered as transition forests between humid and dry forests of Madagascar.

Eight species of lemurs , three diurnal and five nocturnal, have been identified in Vohibasia National Park . One under-specie, Phaner furcifer pallescens has been identified in Vohibasia. It is to be mentionned that the Lemur catta have been seen in the Park living close to the Eulemur fulvus , they often cohabite in the same tree, which is not the case in others Protected Areas of Madagascar. Searchers have observed that diurnal lemurs species were extremely difficult to be seen in comparison with others regions. They hide during long periods, push rarely shouts, and, when they emit the sounds , it is during a very short period. This shows the existence of strong pressures resulting from the hunting and has implications to the tourism.

Small mammals.
A total of 10 small mammals have been identified in the park. Densities of populations are weak compared with others regions of the country, perhaps because of the ground condition , the lack of died leaves on the forest ground and periodic floods. The inventory team of 1996 has discovered a new small mammal specie , Microgale sp. The Ratus rattus , an introduced specie , has been observed in great number in all the park, indicating perhaps that it is in the process to compete endemic species of small mammals.

Carnivores.
Two species of carnivores have been identified in the park. Cryptoprocta ferox is endemic, while Viverricula indica has been introduced . Searchers consider that densities of population of carnivores are weak.

Birds.
Among 85 species of birds identified in the park, 37 (43 per cent) are endemic to Madagascar and 22 (26 per cent) are endemic to the region. Twelve species (14 per cent) of aquatic birds have been identified. One specie , Phyllastrephus apperti ( Bulbul of Appert), endemic to Madagascar, is known only in the forest of Vohibasia and is relatively easy to observe in newly created tourist zones of the park.

Reptiles and amphibians.
A total of 33 reptiles and 8 species of amphibians have been inventoried in the Park. Nine identified reptile species are limited to the region. Alone two of identified species are common to the haut plateau . Eleven species (38 per cent) are found only in natural forests. Individuals belonging to 62 other per cent of species have been observed in dry forests, savannahs, rivers, cultivated zones and areas occupied by human .