Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Managed By Madagascar National Parks. Montane Rainforest That Is The Best Known Home Of The Indri, The Largest Living Lemur, Whose Territorial Song Carries For Two Kilometres; The Standard First Lemur Stop From The Capital · Andasibe, Alaotra-Mangoro

Andasibe-Mantadia is the lemur stop most visitors make first, because it sits on the main eastern road about 140 km from Antananarivo. Its star is the indri, the largest living lemur, a black and white animal that sings at dawn in a wail carried for about two kilometres through the forest. The park has two parts. The Analamazaotra special reserve beside Andasibe village is small, easy and the place most people see indri, along with diademed sifakas, brown lemurs and chameleons. The larger Mantadia section lies north along a rough track, has taller and less visited forest, and takes more effort. Expect damp, cool, often misty weather at any time of year. Sightings are very likely but never guaranteed, and the crowds on a busy weekend can be a letdown. Local guides are compulsory and give the trip most of its value. Treat every price here as unconfirmed, and expect the visit to be wet, muddy and quite physical rather than a gentle stroll.

Andasibe village on Route Nationale 2, about 140 km east of Antananarivo, with the Mantadia section reached by track to the north, Andasibe, Alaotra-Mangoro, Madagascar

The park is normally open daily from early morning until late afternoon, with last entry some hours before dark. Exact times are unconfirmed, so ask your lodge. It is not closed for the season, but heavy rain can close tracks, especially in Mantadia. Night walks run separately after dark with a guide. To get here, take the RN2 east from Antananarivo, about 3 to 5 hours depending on traffic and trucks, by private car or a shared taxi-brousse to Moramanga and onward. Book a guide and any night walk through your lodge or at the park office the day before, and buy permits from Madagascar National Parks.

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