Andasibe

Ideal stay

2 nights

The vibe

Wet forest, loud lemurs, deep green

From our guides

1. 01

   Hearing the indri

   The largest living lemur calls at intervals through the morning, and guides position groups within earshot before the first walks set out.

2. 02

   Analamazaotra reserve

   The main forest walk holds several habituated indri groups, along with diademed sifaka and grey bamboo lemurs on the same trails.

3. 03

   Mantadia

   An hour of rough road north brings wilder, taller forest, far fewer people and better chances with sifaka and forest birds.

4. 04

   Night walks

   Along the roads outside the parks, guides find mouse lemurs, chameleons, tree frogs and leaf tailed geckos, none of which appear by day.

5. 05

   Vakona island lemurs

   A private reserve keeps rescued lemurs on small islands, where they climb straight onto visitors. Not wild, but children love it.

6. 06

   The road east

   The main road from the capital crosses hills, rice terraces and roadside markets, and the drive is a large part of the experience.

1. Fly to

   Antananarivo (TNR)

   Nearest airport to Andasibe, about 100km away as the crow flies.

2. Then

   To Andasibe

   About three to four hours by car from Antananarivo (TNR), east on the RN2 through the highlands. Almost everyone travels with a driver arranged by their lodge or tour operator.

3. On the ground

   Getting around

   Lodges cluster near the village and the park entrances, and walks start at the gates with a compulsory local guide. Night walks take place on the reserve roads just outside the park.

Public transport: Shared taxi-brousse minibuses run along the RN2, but they are slow and crowded, and nothing serves the reserves themselves.

Small forest lodges and eco-camps with bungalows, plus simple village guesthouses. No chains, no luxury resorts, and hot water is not guaranteed everywhere.

• Best base overall

  Andasibe village

  Minutes from the Analamazaotra reserve gate, which matters for the dawn indri chorus and the night walks along the road. Facilities are simple and power can be intermittent.

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• Quietest

  Vohimana and the Mantadia road

  Lodges set in forest away from the village, with birdsong instead of traffic. You are committed to your lodge's restaurant and a rough track in the wet.

  Find stays in Vohimana and the Mantadia road →
• Best value

  Moramanga

  A working town about half an hour west with basic hotels at local prices and the main road link. No forest atmosphere, and you drive in each morning.

  Find stays in Moramanga →
• Closest to the sights

  Antananarivo

  Only if you are passing through, since the drive is three to four hours each way on a busy road. Better hotels and restaurants, but it wastes the early morning.

  Find stays in Antananarivo →

Worth knowing before you book: Guides must be hired at the park gate and are not included in accommodation. Book lodges directly and confirm by email, as online systems are patchy and rooms are few.

Guides

A local guide is compulsory in the parks and worth far more than the fee. They spot everything and know where the groups slept.

Pack this

Waterproofs, boots that cope with mud, insect repellent and a torch for the night walks.

Cash or card

Bring ariary in cash. Card acceptance outside the capital is unreliable and machines are scarce.

Timing

Set out at first light for the best chance of hearing and seeing indri, as activity drops off by late morning.

Health

Malaria prophylaxis is advised for this region, and bottled or treated water is the norm.