Madagascar is made up of 5 distinct regions, each with their own attractions, scenery and activities. For this blog, we will be looking at where to stay and what to do on the East side of the island, which is characterized by lush tropical rain forests, leaping lemurs, colourful chameleons, and singing birds.
Where to Stay: East of the city of Antananarivo, down from the plateau of the Central Highlands towards the coast lies the enchanting rainforest of Andasibe. Here the primary luxury property is the Andasibe Hotel a lovely 4-star accommodation nestled close to the quaint village of Andasibe and surrounded by the lush Madagascan forest.
Alternative accommodation includes the Vakona Forest Lodge that includes a number of facilities and activities such as horse-riding and squash that make it the ideal choice for families.
What to do: Travelers who visit this unique area will also have the chance to explore the Vakona Island, which provides intimate experiences with Madagascar’s most famous animal, the lemur. This sanctuary provides formerly hand-reared lemurs who can no longer survive in the wild a sanctuary.
Andasibe is a fantastic destination, especially for families as our tours always include a visit to Lemur Island, and the wildlife sightings in Andasibe National Park are great. It is one of the few places that the endangered Indri Indri can be seen. This lemur, the largest of its species, cannot survive in captivity so it can only be seen in the wild amongst the lush trees of the Madagascan rainforests.
En route to Andasibe, if travelling by road, make sure to stop at the Peyriera’s Reptile Park. A small community-based project, this lovely park offers guests a chance to see many of Madagascar’s amazing chameleons.
