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Family Wildlife Adventures Website

Madagascar ~ Eastern Rainforests

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

A popular reserve reached by an easy drive from the capital, it consists of two protected tracts of adjacent montane rainforest: Analamazaotra (usually known as Périnet) and Mantadia (or Mantady). Perinet offers the best chance to view the largest lemur, the indri. Also, bamboo and brown lemurs, enigmatic insects such as the giraffe-necked weevil, giant millipedes and colourful birds such as vangas and couas can be seen on guided walks through the jungle.  Goodman’s mouse lemur, greater dwarf lemur and woolly lemur are some of the reserve’s nocturnal species.  It is particularly rich in herpetofauna, with more than 100 species of frog, leaf-tailed geckos and various chameleons.  Nearby Mantadia boasts the agile diademed sifaka with its luxuriant orange, black and white fur, and the rare black-and white ruffed lemur, shy and fast moving.  Rare birds include mesites, ground rollers, greenbuls, asitys and more. The trails are steeper and more slippery in wet weather than at Perinet. Other nearby reserves provide further opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Vakona Lodge

The hotel is situated by a lake surrounded by eucalypt forest. With comfortable heated bungalows, small swimming pool and good cooking, this is one of the best options for the area.

Anjozorobe

Located approximately 90 minutes’ drive to the north of Tana, Anjozorobe is perhaps the last remaining viable hauts plateaux forest in Madagascar, and one of the richest for biodiversity.  Ten species of lemur, including indri and diademed sifaka, inhabit the high altitude (over 1500m) and montane (800m - 1500m) forests, which are drier and more open than Perinet. It is an excellent birding location, with species such as the endemic brown mesite, several couas and asitys present. Sixty-five per cent of the flora is endemic.

Ranomafana National Park

The discovery of the endangered golden bamboo lemur in 1986 and rediscovery of the greater bamboo lemur soon after led to National Park status in 1991. The montane rainforest hills beside the rushing Namorona River harbour 12 species of lemur and around 120 bird species. It is also renowned for its many orchids, bright day geckos, and huge Madagascar comet moth – one of the largest in the world. Night walks are good for various lemurs and other species including fanaloka (Malagasy striped civet), various chameleons, frogs and the truly fantastic Uroplatus phantasticus leaf tailed gecko.  

Montagne d'Ambre National Park

Easily accessible from Diego Suarez (Antsiranana), this area of montane rainforest situated on a volcanic massif lies between altitudes of 850m and 1475m and is characterised by towering trees, waterfalls, crater lakes, ferns and orchids.  Sanford’s brown lemur, crowned lemur, northern ring-tailed mongoose, and with luck, the elusive fanalouc may be encountered.  Various chameleons include the tiny Brookesia minima – smallest in the world, and the beautifully multicoloured panther chameleon.  Birds include the Amber Mountain rock thrush, Madagascar crested ibis, pitta-like ground roller, souimanga sunbird and Madagascar blue pigeon.

Domaine de Fontenay

A lovely boutique hotel occupying a converted French colonial mansion situated outside Joffreville with comfortable rooms, tennis court, good cooking and a private secondary forest reserve containing waterfalls, trails and many lemurs and birds.

Marojejy National Park

From the spice town of Sambava, penetrate inland to the pristine primary rainforests and highlands of Marojejy National Park – one of the most challenging wildlife locations on the island.  Having been a Strict Reserve until the end of 1998, it had only been explored by scientific researchers.  Clients of ours were the first lay visitors to enter Marojejy and it surpassed their highest expectations. They found the rare silky sifaka, four other lemur species and the rare helmet vanga, only seen in undisturbed upland rainforest and a delight for birders.  It is perhaps the ultimate Madagascar reserve in view of its unspoilt status and range of altitudes. The three days’ ascension is strenuous, the camping simple and the trail rough and narrow, but certainly well worth it for the right people.

Masoala Forest National Park

The Masoala peninsula protects the last remaining extensive coastal lowland rainforest in Madagascar.  Given World Heritage Site status in June 2007 and accessible only by boat, the reserve boasts staggering biodiversity and a wide variety of habitats: rainforest, littoral forest, marsh, flooded forest, mangrove and coral reefs are all represented. Rainforest wildlife here can be more difficult to spot than in some other locations, and guided walks can be challenging due to steep and slippery trails (it’s the wettest place in Madagascar) but you may spot the red ruffed lemur (locally endemic), white-fronted brown lemur, greater hedgehog tenrec, brown-tailed mongoose, day geckos, leaf tailed geckos, panther chameleons, helmet vanga and the recently rediscovered Madagascar serpent eagle. There are three marine reserves providing excellent snorkelling and kayaking.  Humpback whales visit the Bay of Antongil between July and early September to breed and give birth and can be seen from shore or by boat. Two further areas in the Masoala area, Farakaraina and Nosy Mangabe, are described below.

Farakaraina Forestry Station

Reached by boat via a branch of the Antainambalana River and a moderate trek from the town of Maroantsetra, this is a relatively unexplored area gaining a reputation for sightings of the strange nocturnal lemur, the aye-aye: also seen are white fronted brown lemurs, leaf-tailed geckos, chameleons and many bird species. 

Nosy Mangabe

Rising to 1000 feet off the luxuriant Masoala peninsula, the island is home to the shy aye-aye – subject of one of the Durrell Wildlife’s captive breeding projects – four further lemur species, reptiles such as leaf-tailed gecko and the rare tree boa, and two species of tenrec.  Hikes can be taken around the island’s coastal trail and up to the lighthouse for wide views of the mainland. Going uphill can be challenging as the paths can be steep and slippery, but there are easy level walks to enjoy.