Andasibe National Park is the closest best rainforest to the capital. Combined with Palmarium Reserve, both sites offer varieties of wildlife such as the biggest and one of the smallest Lemurs in Madagascar. Good sites for endemic birds, reptiles, and insects. Botanists enjoy very much coming here as the majority of the plants are unique.
Drive East to Andasibe through landscape of the central highland with a few wildlife: kingfishers, egrets, hamerkops and some common Birds.
After lunch, visit of a local villagers’ managed Park for a first contact with the mid-altitude rainforest of Andasibe to look for the Indri, the largest Lemur and the beautiful Diademed Sifaka.
An evening walk before dinner to meet some of the nocturnal wildlife: nocturnal Lemurs, Leaf-tailed Geckos, Frogs, and sleeping Chameleons and Birds.
After Breakfast, drive to Mantadia primary rainforest. Home to Indri, diademed Sifaka, Black and white ruffed Lemur, endemic Birds, Butterflies, the colorful Baron’s Mantella Frog and more. At the proper Season, there are many different Orchid Species.
Picnic lunch. Then drive back to the lodge in the afternoon.
After Breakfast, visit of the Analamazaotra Special Reserve: high probability of meeting the Indri and hearing its melodious and melancholic territorial call at a distance. Good chance also to see the Diademed Sifaka, the second largest actual Lemur and other Lemur types.
Afternoon at leisure or walk around Andasibe village.
Another evening walk before dinner to see more nocturnal wildlife: Reptiles and Lemurs.
Drive Eastward, then an hour boat to Palmarium Reserve. Lunch. Meeting with Lemurs (Indri, Red-bellied Lemur, Black and white ruffed Lemur, crowned Lemur, black Lemur), Day Geckos, Frogs and Chameleons.
In early evening, boat ride to the Aye aye island to meet the mythic Aye Aye, a ghost-like Lemur looking like it was made of a combination of pieces from different other animal species: the tail of a Fox, the ears of a bat, the incisors of a rodent, the fur of a bush pig and hands created by some crazy God.
Morning visit around the Reserve. Looking for Lemurs, some Reptiles, Birds. The walks are easy and the wildlife is very rewarding. In the afternoon you can visit the typical fishers’ village along the coast. An evening walk can be organized around the reserve before dinner.
After breakfast, boarding for the 1h boat ride to Manambato then drive back to Tana. Lunch en route.
