📍Andasibe Lemur Watching: Ultimate Guide for Wildlife Lovers

1️⃣ 📍 Andasibe Mantadia National Park The national park is divided into two distinct areas: Analamazoatra and Mantadia. [Green Heart] Analamazoatra Getting there is a breeze; I strolled just 1.5km from my hotel. If you\'re staying further out, hop on a tuk-tuk or motorcycle for a quick ride. [Green Heart] Mantadia Arrange a car through your hotel or connect with a local driver as suggested in other travel posts. Mantadia is about 20km away, and the scenic drive takes roughly an hour one way.

Regardless of which area you visit, purchase your tickets at the designated location marked on the map. The ticket price is 45,000 Ariary per person, approximately 70 RMB. Then, select the appropriate guide fee based on the different routes and durations. We opted for Analamazoatra, choosing a route that lasted over 4 hours, costing 100,000 Ariary, or about 156 RMB.

The listed guide fee is for up to four people. For our group of three, the guide fee came to around 50 RMB per person, plus the 70 RMB entrance fee. For a total of 120 RMB, we embarked on an unforgettable journey through the lowland rainforest, searching for wildlife. It\'s easily accessible, compact, and budget-friendly.

Our main guide and an assistant led us for five hours. They used sound frequencies and mimicked calls to lure lemurs. Gazing at the owl with its large, expressive eyes was simply enchanting. We spotted four types of lemurs, an owl, various reptiles, and a variety of birds. It was a delightful day for any nature enthusiast.

2️⃣ 📍 Mitsinjo Park Entry costs 35,000 Ariary per person, or about 55 RMB. This includes a one-and-a-half-hour guided tour. The adventure begins when darkness falls, from 18:30 to 20:00. At night, follow the guide up the mountain to seek out lemurs, chameleons, and other nocturnal creatures. I thoroughly enjoyed the thrill of exploring the unknown.

I even managed to capture the entire color-changing process of a chameleon on camera. On the way back to the hotel, I gazed up at the Milky Way and a dazzling array of stars. I felt a profound sense of gratitude for all the natural wonders. It was a touching moment that nearly brought me to tears.

3️⃣ 📍 Vakona Forest Lodge Refer to the previous post for hotel recommendations in Andasibe. If you want to get up close and personal with lemurs, head to the private lemur island of this lodge, where you can see four types of lemurs. To catch a glimpse of the ring-tailed lemurs, take a boat safari.

I spent five days in Andasibe, and every morning, I was awakened by the loud screeching of fighting monkeys. Nestled in the mountains, the signal was so weak that sending a message felt like an eternity. I quickly adapted and began to relish life without constant phone use. I put down my phone and engaged more with the people around me.

So, during the day, I slept until I naturally woke up, then wandered around and explored. When night fell, I started drinking, chatting, and sharing life stories. In a slightly tipsy state, I drifted off to sleep under the steady glow of the moon.