Only 90 miles from Antananarivo along a surfaced road, Parc National d’Andasibe-Mantadia is Madagascar’s most convenient and popular major wildlife destination. The park itself comprises two discreet sectors, the highly accessible Réserve Spéciale Analamazaotra and the wilder and more remote Parc National Mantadia. It is also abutted by several community reserves. At least 14 lemur species occur here naturally, among them the unique indri. The area also hosts a rare diversity of birds, reptiles, amphibians and orchids. If you visit only one national park in Madagascar, Andasibe-Mantadia should almost certainly be it. 

Discover Parc National d’Andasibe-Mantadia

Andasibe-Mantadia is the main stronghold of the indri, Madagascar’s largest lemur, a loveable panda lookalike notable for its eerie far-carrying call. The undemanding Indri Trail through the Réserve Spéciale Analamazaotra comes with a near certainly of spotting an indri family. Other lemurs often seen here include the spectacular diademed sifaka. 

A community project run by a guides’ association, Parc Mitsinjo offers guided hikes in search of the indri, and it attracts fewer tour groups than Analamazaotra. It is the base for Across Branch, a grassroots organization that offers zip-lining and other adventures.

Guided night walks on the road bordering Réserve Spéciale Analamazaotra provide a great opportunity to see a variety of nocturnal lemurs, oddball chameleons and colorful tree frogs.

The Parc Voi MMA is a community reserve offering self-paddled or guided kayak trips along the forest-lined Analamazaotra River.

Lemur Island is a popular private zoo that offers the opportunity to get close to tame lemurs including the striking black-and-white ruffed lemur and diademed sifaka.

The tiny Parc à Orchidées comes into its own over October to November, when most of the region’s 100-plus orchid species are in bloom.

Andasibe-Mantadia’s bird checklist of 110 species includes 67 endemics. The main road flanking Analamazaotra is a great place to familiarize yourself with widespread forest and woodland species. Dedicated birders should arrange a day hike in Parc National Mantadia, which is the best place to see forest interior birds, notably four of the island’s five species of colorful ground-roller.