The indri's call
Filling the forest at dawn.
Rod Waddington — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Smiley.toerist — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Smiley.toerist — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Smiley.toerist — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Smiley.toerist — CC BY-SA 4.0
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is a protected area of 155 square km east of Antananarivo, made up mainly of primary forest. It is home to 11 lemur species and is known for the calls of the indri, the largest lemur in Madagascar. It is the easiest place to see lemurs in real forest and the closest of the country's big parks to the capital. The park has two parts, Mantadia National Park and the Analamazoatra Reserve. Its elevation runs from 800 to 1,260 m, and the climate is humid, with about 1,700 mm of rain a year falling on 210 days. It was nominated in 2007 to join the Rainforests of the Atsinanana World Heritage Site, and it holds many rare and endangered species. You walk with a guide on shaded trails among tall trees, ferns and mosses, past small streams and waterfalls. In the early morning the call of the indri fills the forest and carries far, among the finest things you can hear here. Your guide can point out chameleons and birds, and a night walk helps you see other species. Do not feed the lemurs. It is about 100 km in a straight line from Antananarivo, about four hours or more by car. Bring a rain jacket and firm shoes, as the trails are slippery. The finest time is September to November.
Filling the forest at dawn.
Streams among ferns.
Species hidden by day.
Alaotra-Mangoro Region, east of Antananarivo, Madagascar
Yes, guides are required in national parks, and the circuit sets the cost.
The chances are good, above all in the morning with a guide, though not guaranteed.