Black Lemur Camp

Part of the ‘Friendly Camps’ group, which includes the highly-rated camp Amoureux near Kirindy, and managed by the NGO FANAMBY and Saha Camp in the Anjozorobe-Angavo rainforest corridor. This new property is receiving good feedback, including from our Malagasy partners: Toky Andriamora and Lalaina Ramaroson who conducted a detailed site visit. The camp is is close to Anjahakely village in the Diana region around three and a half to four hours south of Diego Suarez airport by 4-wheel drive vehicle, along a poor (bumpy with potholes in places) road (RN6). The locally- managed protected area, Andrafiamena Andavakoera, covers some 30,000ha of deciduous, transition and humid forest habitat (there are also caves and savannah) and its flagship mammal is the all Black Perrier’s Sifaka, one of the world’s 25 most endangered primates. Six other lemur species, many endemic birds and ‘herps’ (reptiles and amphibians) are resident.

10 spacious bungalows (most completed in 2017) are spotlessly clean, simple and tastefully decorated with queen-sized beds (mosquito netting provided) and en-suite facilities (modern shower and loo). All were built using locally-sourced materials. Eight rooms are tented and two-family bungalows are more solid structures. The main building houses the restaurant and bar on an elevated deck with comfortable wicker furniture and from where there are marvellous views over the surroundings. Solar panels are used for energy so there is electricity 24/7. Recharging of phones and camera equipment is done in the main reception area.

To see the sought-after and very rare, range-restricted Black Sifakas along with Crowned lemur and Northern sportive lemur, the main trail takes about 45 minutes up a hillside followed by a walk for 15-20 minutes deeper into the forest to reach the Sifakas’ home territories. We recommend a two or three night stay here as part of the northern parks circuit – it is ideally followed by a visit to the Tsingy Rouge at Irodo and then Ankarana Special Reserve.