Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Located in eastern Madagascar approximately three hours' drive from the capital of Antananarivo, Andasibe-Mantadia National Park encompasses 155 square kilometers of ancient, primary montane cloud forest. Dense with towering tree ferns, hanging lianas, and over a hundred species of wild epiphytic orchids, this protected rainforest sanctuary is celebrated internationally as the premier stronghold of Madagascar's most famous and vocal primate: the Indri (Indri indri, known locally as Babakoto).

The Haunting Song of the Indri

Reaching nearly a meter in height with a rudimentary tail, black-and-white teddy-bear-like coats, and striking piercing green eyes, the Indri is the largest living lemur species on Earth. Unlike other primates, Indri communicate across dense valleys through synchronized, eerie territorial wailing songs that resemble a blend of a whale song, a siren, and a brass horn. Hearing the forest air vibrate with the deafening morning territorial chorus of wild Indri families is one of the most unforgettable auditory wildlife spectacles on the planet.

Exceptional Primate & Reptilian Diversity

Andasibe-Mantadia shelters eleven other diurnal and nocturnal lemur species, including the magnificent golden-crowned Diademed sifaka, grey bamboo lemurs, and black-and-white ruffed lemurs. Specialized night guided walks along the forest perimeter with flashlights reveal a wonderland of nocturnal biodiversity—including the tiny Goodman’s mouse lemur, dwarf lemurs, leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus) that camouflage perfectly against tree bark, and enormous Parson’s chameleons measuring up to two feet long.

Pristine Hiking in Mantadia

While the gentle trails of the Analamazaotra section provide easy Indri tracking, the northern Mantadia sector offers rugged wilderness hiking across steep primary rainforest ridges, plunging past rushing waterfalls, clear forest streams, and ancient hardwood canopies.