Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is located in Alaotra Mangoro. This is in the eastern part of the country.  Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is only four hours away from the capital city of Madagascar.

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is a combination of two reserves that is the Mantadia forest and the Analamazoatra reserve. The Park was formerly known as the Analamazoatra and it has just been changed of recent.

Do not be alarmed when some people still refer to it using the old name while on your Madagascar safari tour. The word Andasibe is in Malagasy and it can loosely be translated as the ‘Big camp’ due to its vast nature.

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park has many wildlife animals that can be seen and most of the time it is always the first time for someone to see these animals, birds and insects. The park is also has a waterfall where you can relax after a long day trekking and you can also view the Ranomafana hot springs which are nearby.

Getting to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

There are several taxis that can get you to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. There is a passenger train that will get you to the Park more easily as compared to the road transportation. The train station is located just two meters away from the entrance of the Park and it seems the much better option although it might be crowded.

You can also get a personal car which will take you to the Park especially if you want your privacy. We also have a 3 day Indri Indri tour that goes to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park.

The park fees are paid at the entrance of the park and you are given a permit that will help you access the different parts of the Park. Andasibe-Mantadia National Park has several places that you can visit and you will need an experienced tour guide to help you traverse the park.

Walk Analamazotra

Together with a local guide, who knows everything about the park and the surrounding area, you walk for a few hours through the part called Analamazotra. Your main goal is to spot the Indri Indri and the Diadem Sifaka.

You could of course find many other animals, such as interesting insects and birds, as well as different scenic sights such as waterfalls, beautiful orchids this area is famous for etcetera.

Together with your guide you discuss your interests so that he can search for what exactly you are hoping to see. You will be amazed by the diversity of flora and fauna in this area.

Evening walk Mantadia National Park

The evening walk of about 2 hours takes place along the main road along the edge of the reserve. With your local guide looking for all the animals in the dark, you are guaranteed to feel the excitement and hopefully see some action.

There are few cars at this time and therefore the only traffic you are likely to come across are other visitors wielding torches looking for glowing eyes in the dark! The road makes for easy walking and the proximity to the vegetation will mean that you are likely to see some of the special nocturnal creatures this park offers.

Think of dwarf lemurs, woolly lemurs, also known as avahis or woolly indris, and mouse lemurs are commonly spotted. Also be on the lookout for different species of frogs, chameleons and interesting insects.

Visit Vakona Domain

After lunch you can visit a shelter for lemurs located on an island on the grounds of the Vakona lodge. On the lemur island you will get a good chance to photograph some of the animals you have spotted in the wild earlier.

You will see the brown lemur and the black and white ruffed lemur as well as the dancing sifaka. The lemurs here are tame and will jump all over you, especially if you have bananas.

On the other side of the estate there is a crocodile farm where they also keep some different animals as well. In the lake they have dozens of these prehistoric monsters which are impressive to see from this close by, still from a safe distance of course.

When to Visit Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

The best time to visit Madagascar and go to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is during the month of October. However, Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is open to tourists throughout the year.

This Madagascar National Park has the highest number of visitors who trek through the forest. They come here to see the various animals that are in the park including the popular Indri-Indri and other wildlife in the area.

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is highly visited. If you want to get the best services you need to book early so that you do not get disappointed.

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park Weather and Climate

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park normally experiences cloudy conditions. This makes the Park have a cool temperature almost throughout the day and you should also be ready for a rain pour which can happen throughout the whole day.

The weather in the area is mostly due to the presence of the rain forests in the area. Although if you are into trekking, you will have to do it on days that are sunny to avoid the slippery routes within the park.

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park can also be visited at night and this gives you ample time to see the nocturnal life in the Park.  A night walk through the forest reserve will avail to you the different nocturnal life that is located in the Park.

You will be able to see the chameleons that normally come out at night. Others are the furry eared dwarf lemur, the Eastern woolly lemur and the Goodman’s mouse lemur.

All you need is to pack a heavy touch that will help you see the animals clearly and heavy clothes to reduce on the coldness that is always experienced in the Park during the night hours.

When you are visiting Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, remember to pack appropriately especially when it comes to clothes. You will need to carry some heavy clothes that will protect you from the rain or you can carry water proof clothes to avoid getting wet.

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park can be explored separately. You can first visit the first part of the Park which is the Mantadia where you will be able to see the golden lemurs lounging in the trees.

Trek through the Park and note that the trails that are found in the Mantadia side are extremely steep. The other Part which is the Andasibe can also be explored on the same day. The good thing about the trails is that they are not as steep as the ones in Mantadia. All this can be experienced as long as you book early enough to enjoy Andasibe-Mantadia National Park.