Magical Madagascar Day 4 – June 18th – Andasibe and Mantadia National Park

To get the best view of the lemurs and other fauna in the Andasibe and Mantadia National Park we had to leave the hotel at 8 am on Madagascar Day 4 in the dripping rain. Everyone was up for the walk despite the weather as there are 13 species of lemur in the park, including the Indri, the largest type. There are several legends trying to explain its origins since it is considered a sacred animal in the whole Madagascar. Nowadays it is endangered due to deforestation and agricultural activities next to the reserves.

Apart from the Indri, you can also see the woody lemur, grey bamboo lemur, brown lemur, red mouse-lemur, red-bellied lemur and black and white ruffed lemur. And that’s just the lemurs. The forest is full of interesting flora as well.

Not far into the forest our guide spotted a gecko which blended in perfectly with the bark of the tree. 

After the forest walk we headed back to the hotel for lunch before a 2:30 departure on Madagascar Day 4 to Lemur Island, a private conservation project. We crossed the river by canoe and were welcomed onto the island by a small group of lemurs who leapt from person to person.

The island is a tiny reserve that protects a number of habituated lemurs. There are four species to see, the bamboo lemur, the black & white ruffed lemur, brown lemur and one diademed sifaka – the classic lemur you see on all photos which stands on two legs and jumps everywhere. A magical spot.