Mantadia Lodge

Opened in March 2018, Mantadia Lodge is quickly become the accommodation of choice for travellers visiting Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. In the morning you might be awakened by the singing of the Indri Lemur, a kind of lemur that can only be found here. Because of a specialised diet of leaves from endemic trees, Indri don’t survive in captivity so can only be seen in their Malagasy rainforest home. Their siren-like wailing vocalisations are the hallmark sound of Madagascar and can carry for 3km across the rainforest! This reserve also claims a world record frog diversity among comparably sized rainforests.

The lodge is set on a hill from where there are panoramic views over rainforest and cultivated land. The 25 rooms include 10 twins and a family suite. Each room has a private terrace. All rooms provide the comfort of a 3 star hotel, and are equipped with Wi-Fi, cable TV and a terrace that offers a panoramic view, an inside living room and a wood burning stove for the cooler season. Panoramic rainforest views from the modern, airy restaurant and bar, plus the infinity swimming pool and a massage parlour.

The perfect base from with to Explore the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park wildlife. You will vistit Analamazaotra Forest Station (‘Mitsinjo rainforest’). Walking towards the mist-enshrouded rainforest at dawn and hearing the indris calling is Malagasy magic at its best. There are also eastern lesser bamboo lemur and common brown lemur. As is the case anywhere in Madagascar, a very different cast of characters appear after nightfall : here, eastern woolly lemur, weasel sportive lemur, Goodman’s mouse lemur, and in the summer, furry-eared dwarf lemur can be seen. Analamazaotra’s avian denizens include Madagascar wood-rail, Madagascar flufftail, red-fronted and blue couas, common sunbird-asity and blue, hook-billed and coral-billed nuthatch vangas. For those wanting to pick up a souvenir, their boutique offers two types of sweaters and shawls: cashmere and natural silk from Madagascar, as well as products made by local artisans: jewellery, decorative objects, honey, and wild pepper.

Alistair visited this lodge in late 2018