ITINERARY
Arrive in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, where you will be met in the morning at the airport or at your hotel, depending on the required collection point. After a brief driving tour around Tana, we will drive to Andasibe through the green and luxuriant vegetation of the east. This first step brings us to the humid part of the country with many primary forests and lakes, and the landscape consists of rice fields, waterfalls, and scarce forest stations. Along the way, we will see villages of the Merina people scattered throughout the rocky mountainside. We stop for lunch at the Reptile & Butterfly farm, finally arriving in Andasibe between 15h00 and 17h00. Check-in to the hotel, and then at approximately 19h00 we enjoy a night walk within the Andasibe area to observe night active lemurs and other nocturnal animals.
Andasibe National Park
ITINERARY
After breakfast, we take a morning visit to the Special Reserve of Andasibe, where you will discover the many species dwelling in the forest. In particular, your guide will search for the Indri, the largest lemurs on the island. This 810 ha reserve is unique with its endemic fauna and flora. It contains a wide variety of orchids, canopy, and endemic animals like chameleons, tenrecs, and many birds. In the afternoon, we visit the V.O.I.I.M.A community reserve. This reserve provides a sustainable way of saving the remaining rainforests in the area by creating a livelihood for the local communities through reforestation projects. Here you will also come across a variety of wildlife, ranging from brown lemurs, indri, chameleons, geckos and birds.
Natural Reserve of Andasibe
Accommodation
Please note that Madagascar is a country that is in its infancy when it comes to tourism. The below-mentioned accommodation is subject to availability, and we reserve the right to change these using similar accommodation of the same standards.
Day 1 – 3: Vakona Forest Lodge or similar
Tour Map
Vakona Forest Lodge
Vakona Forest Lodge is situated on a picturesque hillside that slopes down to a lake. Surrounded by lush vegetation and filled with fresh mountain air, only the sounds of frogs and other wildlife can disturb you here.
Accommodation is in bungalows scattered throughout the hillside gardens, while the main building has an octagonal reception area and large dining room with huge windows overlooking the lake. The large outdoor dining terrace and small lounge area offer peaceful spaces in which to relax as you sip a pre- or post-dinner drink from the bar.
Activities
Horseback riding Canoeing Fishing safari
Hike the trails uphill or down to lemur-filled Indri island. Venture into the rainforest with a guide to see mammals and birds you'll encounter nowhere else. Feeling brave? Take a guided night walk in Analamzotra – you may catch sight of the web-throwing spider and roosting ground roller. (Book at reception.) The animals are the main attraction, but you can also explore on mountain bike or horseback, paddle around the lake and its islands in a canoe or relax poolside.
