Is Andasibe worth visiting?
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is in the country’s eastern escarpment – a region home to some of the world’s most biologically significant rainforest sites thanks to its habituated, critically endangered indri population. As such, these unusual creatures help make it a place I hold dearly in my heart.
On a morning walk, you can hear their haunting calls echoing through the canopy before spotting them high in the trees. Come nightfall, a guided walk reveals an entirely different side of the rainforest, with nocturnal lemurs, chameleons, frogs and other small creatures emerging from the undergrowth. This makes it an easy and rewarding addition to a wider wildlife itinerary.
I’ve enjoyed countless memorable experiences over the years, including some that I’ll detail below. I hope it inspires your own visit – one I can tailor as part of your Madagascar holiday.
Andasibe-Mantadia at a glance
Best for: Observing indri and other rainforest wildlife species
From Antananarivo: Around 4—5 hours by road
Recommended stay: 2—3 nights
Top wildlife: Indri, diademed sifaka, eastern lesser bamboo lemurs, chameleons
Don’t miss: The morning indri and nocturnal wildlife walks
Best time: September—November
In this travel guide:
– What Makes Andasibe Special?
– Visitor Tips and Park Map Overview
– Wildlife You Might See
– Top Things to Do
– How to Get from Antananarivo to Andasibe
– Where to Stay in Andasibe
– How Many Days Should You Spend There?
What Makes Andasibe Special?
Andasibe (old French name = Périnet) would be an excellent addition to your wildlife holiday in Madagascar. You can go from spotting lemurs in the day to searching for nocturnal species as darkness falls on a night walk.
The early morning is the best time to visit Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. From across the rainforest, you can hear the eerie call of the indri, Madagascar’s largest lemur species, which sounds almost like a whale song. Believe it or not, as a child I got a cassette tape featuring indri vocalisations free with a wildlife magazine (yes, I’m that old!), so I recognised it straight away the first time I heard it in the wild. For most, though, it’s a new and surprising sound. Because indri are endemic to Madagascar and have never been successfully kept in captivity, hearing them in their natural habitat is a uniquely Malagasy experience.
Even in lodges a few miles away, the sound carries, and waking up to it is a personal highlight of mine. But the indri are far from the only reason to visit. Andasibe’s rainforest supports a rich variety of lemurs, birds, reptiles and amphibians, while a night walk showcases species that are rarely active during the day. Eastern woolly lemurs, mouse lemurs such as the greater dwarf lemur (September to March only, as dwarf lemurs aestivate in the winter), chameleons, frogs and geckos can all emerge once the sun goes down. Some are tiny and well camouflaged, so having an experienced guide with you makes a real difference.
That’s what makes Andasibe so special: one day can immerse you in haunting indri calls at dawn to the quiet thrill of discovering a tiny chameleon by torchlight after dark.
Visitor Tips and Park Map Overview
Come prepared for wet, muddy and humid conditions. Lightweight clothing is ideal, along with a waterproof jacket and sturdy walking shoes or boots with good grip. A dry bag or waterproof pouch is also handy for protecting your phone and camera if the heavens open.
Before travelling to Madagascar, you should familiarise yourself with the Analamazaotra Special Reserve and Mantadia Park maps (pictured below). Analamazaotra Special Reserve is generally the easiest area for seeing indri and accessible from Andasibe village. Mantadia National Park is larger and more rugged, with various hiking and wildlife opportunities.
PICTURED: Analamazaotra Special Reserve/Andasibe National Park map; image taken during Helen’s 2017 visit to Madagascar.
PICTURED: Mantadia National Park map; image taken during Helen’s 2017 visit to Madagascar.
Throughout your exploration, there will be plenty of beautiful waterfalls, wildlife highlights and spectacular viewpoints for you to discover along the winding paths. Factoring them into your plans allows you to fit in everything you’d hope to see while in and around the rainforests.
Lastly, book your Madagascar trip for anywhere between September and April, when the area’s nocturnal lemurs are more active. Depending on your luck, you could encounter the eastern woolly lemur or Goodman’s mouse lemur. Herpetofauna is also rich, including the flagship reptile species: the two-foot-long Parson’s chameleon.
Further Reading: Best Time to Visit Madagascar
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park Wildlife: What You Might See
Lemurs: Indri; eastern lesser bamboo lemur; black-and-white ruffed lemur; diademed sifaka; eastern woolly lemur; weasel sportive lemur; Goodman’s mouse lemur
Reptiles & amphibians: Parson’s chameleon; nose-horned chameleon; various species of Boophis tree frogs; colourful Phelsuma day geckos
Birds: Blue coua; Madagascar blue pigeon; Madagascar long-eared owl; nuthatch vanga
For me, Andasibe is a must for your Madagascar itinerary. It features in several of our sample itineraries and small group tours due to its proximity to the capital city (the arrival point of most Madagascar holidays) and its great natural biodiversity.
Some of Andasibe-Mantadia National Park’s animals you may encounter are the indri, eastern lesser bamboo lemur and black-and-white ruffed lemur. Plus, there are more commonly seen lemur species, including the critically endangered diademed sifaka, arguably one of the most beautiful. With its black face circled by fluffy white fur and orange-coloured limbs, it looks almost teddy bear-like.
Another highlight is the wonderful chameleons, with Parson’s chameleon easily seen here. As slow movers, these wild animals are often willing to pose for photographs. During your exploration, you may also be lucky enough to see the tiny nose-horned chameleon – currently recognised as the smallest Malagasy chameleon species.
A night walk may reveal more of Andasibe National Park’s animals, from eastern woolly lemur and weasel sportive lemur to furry-eared dwarf lemur and Goodman’s mouse lemur. Bird species are also diverse, from the Madagascar blue pigeon to the Madagascar long-eared owl.
Further Reading: Madagascar Animals & Wildlife Guide
Top Things to Do in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
– Track indri in Andasibe
– Take a night walk in Analamazaotra
– Explore Mantadia National Park
– Visit the Frog Breeding Centre managed by Association Mitsinjo
– Explore community-managed reserves of Vohimana and Maromizaha
There are plenty of things to do in Andasibe National Park.
You can easily be out in the forest until the afternoon. Plus, by arranging a packed lunch in advance with your lodge, you can enjoy a scenic picnic by the river or waterfall in your verdant surroundings. Returning to your lodge for relaxation as the day gets warmer is nice, too. Several have swimming pools and gardens, allowing you to relax – especially after an early morning start. You’ll also want to prepare for a night walk and get your torch ready to hunt for nocturnal species. There’s plenty to see at night, even as close as the grounds surrounding the lodges.
There are community-run protected areas where you can explore the trails with your guides. These include Analamazaotra Special Reserve, Torotorofotsy Marsh and Vohimana Experimental Reserve. On your return, enjoy a three-course evening meal. The food is often Asian-influenced, and on your travels, you’ll see rice paddies along with herds of Zebu (horned cattle), which are a typical sight in Madagascar. After an evening gathered around the fireplace, chatting about what you've seen that day, another reserve awaits your visit in the morning.
Further Reading: Best Things to Do in Madagascar
How to Get from Antananarivo to Andasibe
As the closest national park to Antananarivo, the dense rainforest region of Andasibe is one of the most accessible reserves in the country. It’s around a four-to-five-hour drive east of the capital and best done at the start or end of your trip, since Antananarivo is the gateway to most holidays. Every time I go to Madagascar, I find a way to fit in at least a day for exploration here.
Distance covered: Andasibe is roughly 140–150 km east of Antananarivo by road.
Road conditions: It’s a paved road, but journey times can vary considerably because of traffic.
Travel methods: A private driver is the most comfortable, reliable choice for visitors.
Further Reading: Antananarivo Travel Guide
Where to Stay: Hotels and Lodges in Andasibe
PICTURED: The accommodation at Mantadia Lodge; Image courtesy of Mantadia Lodge.
Mantadia Lode is a comfortable property with views over the rainforest and a sleek, modern design. There are 25 rooms – ten are twins and one is a family suite. Each features an en-suite bathroom and a private terrace. The main building has a stylish restaurant with a convivial bar. The food is highly praised, as is the friendly service and pool, lined with palm trees.
Best for comfort and rainforest views: Mantadia Lodge
Best for couples and relaxation: Manjarano Lodge & Spa
Best for park access: Andasibe Cyperus Hotel
Best for families and flexibility: Andasibe Lemurs Lodge
How Many Days Should You Spend in Andasibe?
An Andasibe National Park tour can be as long as you want. But we recommend two (winter; May—August) or three (spring; September—November and summer; December—April) nights, allowing you to fit in as much of the dense rainforest as possible.
Plan Your Andasibe Adventure with Rainbow
Ready to start planning? Speak to one of our Madagascar specialists to create your tailor-made itinerary, with all the practical details taken care of. All our holidays are ABTA and ATOL protected, giving you extra peace of mind from booking to travelling.
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