Description
Parc National d’Andasibe-Mantadia is an ideal place to see lemurs in the wild for those who have little time to travel around Madagascar or prefer not to fly. Located just a three-hour drive from Antatanarivo, the park offers the usual good standard of ANGAP guiding and there are several pathways one can follow for an easy walk, while the more adventurous can go ’off-road’ and scramble through the undergrowth to view the several species of lemur found here, including the indri. The park also has a visitor centre with an interactive display about lemurs which is excellent for children.
Vakona Forest Lodge is located close to the national park in its own small reserve. The lodge offers simple clean rooms with en-suite facilities and showers. The food is good and mainly French in style and the restaurant area has an outdoor terrace surrounded by a small lake.
For really close-up lemur viewing the lodge has its own ’Lemur Island’ where you can feed the friendly creatures as they jump on your shoulders. There is also a crocodile farm and a menagerie of birds and reptiles.
Accommodation
The lodge has 28 Malagasy style bungalows including 10 family bungalows with mezzanine, six double bungalows and five twin bungalows and seven triple bed bungalows. Each bungalow has a terrace with a small external living room, bathroom with warm water and individual toilets, heating, a personal safe and a mini-bar.
| Chalet | Malagasy Style Bungalow |
| Family Chalet | Malagasy Style Bungalow. 1 double and 2 twin beds with mezzanine. |
| Twin Chalet | Malagasy Style Bungalow with twin beds. |
| Three Bed Chalet | Malagasy Style Bungalow with 3 beds. |
Childcare
Children of all ages are very welcome at Vakona Forest Lodge, however, there are no specific child care facilities. It should also be noted that children under 8 years are not allowed to visit Lemur Island.
Facilities
There is a small library at the Lodge with many reference books where guests to read up on what they have spotted during the day's activities and they can learn more about the local area. The Lodge has an inviting swimming pool for you take a dip in or swim a few laps around. There is also a crocodile farm on site.
Activities
Activities include trekking to see lemurs as well as canoeing, squash, horse riding, swimming, bowls, table tennis and billiards and there is a playing field for children.
For really close up leamur viewing the lodge has it's own 'Lemur Island' where you can feed the friendly creatures as they jump on your shoulders. There is also a crocodile farm and numerous birds and reptiles.
When to travel
Any time of year is fine for a visit except from January to March, when heavy rainfall in many areas can make some roads all but impassable, and when there’s a high risk of cyclones in the east and northeast. In general, the best time to travel in most areas is April and October/November. The coolest time to travel anywhere is during the dry season (May to October).
Average maximum temperatures vary from about 30°C in coastal areas (higher in summer) to around 25°C on the hauts plateaux. In Antananarivo and other highland areas, temperatures during winter can drop to 10°C and even lower during the night.
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Average time to visit
Not applicable
Location and directions
Parc National d’Andasibe-Mantadia, Eastern Madagascar
Vakona Forest Lodge is located in the heart of the Perinet Forest, a few kilometres from the village and on the doorstep of the Andasibe National Park. The lodge is 140 km from the capital, Antananarivo. It is north of the village of Andasibe, 7 km from the Périnet park entrance and about 20 km south of Mantadia National Park.
How to get there
13 hour international flight (one stop) to Antananarivo Airport. Vakona Forest Lodge is 140km East of Antananarivo by good tarmac road (drive time approximately 3 hours).
