Zahamena and Andasibe : Explorations in the Heart of Madagascar’s Nature

At the heart of this journey, you will discover three emblematic sites: the Alaotra region, renowned for its vast marshlands and reed forests; the untouched primary rainforest of Zahamena, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and Andasibe National Park, a true paradise for nature lovers.

Exploring these regions means total immersion in a unique environment where flora and fauna inspire constant wonder.

The Alaotra region is home to the only reed-dwelling fishing lemur, a rare endemic species living among marshes and waterways.

The dense, well-preserved forest of Zahamena shelters exceptional biodiversity, with numerous rare and endemic species, while Andasibe National Park, famous for its iconic lemurs such as the Indri, stands as a sanctuary for wildlife and plant life.

This journey is designed for true nature enthusiasts, offering deep immersion into one of the richest and most mysterious ecosystems on Earth.

Day 1 – Antananarivo
Arrival at the airport and transfer to your centrally located hotel.
Havana Resort Hotel or similar.

Day 2 – Antananarivo – Ambatondrazaka (310 km – approx. 10 hours’ drive)
Departure from Antananarivo at 7:00 am. After about three hours, arrival in Moramanga (100 km), where the route turns north toward the Alaotra basin.
The secondary road is in poor condition, extending travel time. Arrival in Ambatondrazaka shortly after sunset.
Vahiné Hotel or similar.

Day 3 – Ambatondrazaka – Lake Alaotra – Ambatondrazaka
After breakfast, excursion by traditional canoe along the shores of Lake Alaotra and its surrounding marshes.
This area is home to the unique fishing lemur, the Alaotra bamboo lemur (Hapalemur alaotrensis), a strictly endemic species.
In the afternoon, visit a local village to discover daily life and traditions of the lake basin.
Vahiné Hotel or similar.

Days 4 to 7 – Ambatondrazaka – Antanandava – Zahamena National Park
Early morning departure. Drive to Antanandava, located 60 km north (approx. 2 hours).
At the village entrance, transfer by Kubota tractor (approx. 1 hour) to reach the entrance station of Zahamena National Park.

Zahamena is one of Madagascar’s richest biodiversity areas: dense tropical rainforest, numerous lemur species, rare amphibians, endemic birds, and flora typical of eastern humid forests.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it protects an extraordinary mid-altitude ecosystem.

Installation at a forest camp near a waterfall approximately 60 meters high, where you will spend 2 nights.

Day 8 – Zahamena – Moramanga – Andasibe (200 km – approx. 7 hours)
Morning departure back to Antanandava by Kubota, then drive to Moramanga.
Continue toward Andasibe, a vast forest region renowned for its biodiversity.
Feon’ny Ala Hotel or similar.

Day 9 – Andasibe – Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
Day dedicated to exploring the park.
The Analamazaotra Reserve allows easy observation of several lemur species, including the Indri-Indri, the largest living lemur.
Other species include bamboo lemurs, brown lemurs, woolly lemurs, and more.

Option to undertake a more demanding hike in the Mantadia section of the park, located about two hours away by track.

In the evening, guided night walk in the Mitsinjo Reserve to observe chameleons, frogs, and nocturnal lemurs.
Feon’ny Ala Hotel or similar.

Day 10 – Andasibe – Antananarivo (160 km – approx. 6 hours)
Return to Antananarivo.
En route, visit the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga, a sacred UNESCO-listed site and former residence of King Andrianampoinimerina.
Chat’o Park Hotel or similar.

Day 11 – Antananarivo – Departure
Transfer to Ivato International Airport.
End of our services.

Rates per person

1 traveler: €3,500 – single room
2 travelers: €2,250 – 1 double/twin room
3 travelers: €2,050 – 1 triple room
4 travelers: €1,900 – 2 double/twin rooms

For other options, please contact us.

Best Time to Travel
April – October

Included
Private vehicle with French-speaking driver | Entrance fees and local guides for mentioned parks | Accommodation with dinner and breakfast | Full-board camping in Zahamena | All transfers

Not Included
Entry visa (€10 per person) | Lunches | Drinks | Personal expenses | Any services not listed under “Included”

Moramanga

Moramanga, strategically located on RN2 between Antananarivo and Toamasina, is a key stop for travelers heading toward eastern Madagascar.
Only about 30 km from Andasibe, the town serves as an economic and cultural crossroads in the heart of the Highlands.
Once considered merely a transit point, Moramanga deserves a real stop for its history, vitality, and natural surroundings.

The town is known for its vast pine and eucalyptus plantations, largely developed for timber and pulp production.
This intensive forestry has often expanded at the expense of remaining primary rainforest, raising major ecological concerns and highlighting the importance of protecting nearby natural areas such as the Ankeniheny–Zahamena forest corridor.

Historically, Moramanga holds strong symbolic importance. It was here that the major Malagasy nationalist uprisings of 1947 began, a tragic episode in the struggle for independence.
The Gendarmerie Museum, one of the country’s best-organized museums, provides valuable insight into this period and the evolution of Madagascar’s security forces.

Moramanga is also an important railway hub, one of the few places where rail transport still plays a significant role, linking the town to Ambatondrazaka and the east coast via the FCE line.
Its lively and colorful market reflects everyday local life, with vanilla, spices, agricultural products, tools, and handicrafts traded in a vibrant atmosphere.

The town is an ideal base for exploring the region’s natural treasures. In addition to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, accessible in under an hour, Moramanga also provides access to remote forest massifs, traditional villages, and rivers suitable for canoeing.
Between Merina traditions, Betsimisaraka influences, and transitional landscapes, Moramanga offers an authentic immersion into a region where nature, history, and culture intertwine.

Ambatondrazaka

Ambatondrazaka, the main town of the Alaotra-Mangoro region, is often seen as the gateway to Madagascar’s largest rice-producing basin.
Located northeast of Moramanga and connected by a steadily improving road, it occupies a strategic position between the Highlands and the Lake Alaotra plains.

The surrounding region is dominated by vast open landscapes, where endless rice fields stretch as far as the eye can see.
The lakeside villages and nearby hills bear witness to intense agricultural activity, as well as the long-term effects of deforestation.
Formerly forested hills now suffer from severe erosion caused by bush fires and vegetation loss, resulting in red, deeply scarred slopes.

Yet Ambatondrazaka is more than an agricultural center.
Local life is lively, shaped by weekly markets, the arrival of the train from Moramanga, and trade in lake products such as fish, vegetables, rice, and handicrafts.
Small restaurants, hotels, and cultural activities highlight the traditions of the Sihanaka people, the dominant ethnic group around Lake Alaotra.

The town is also an important starting point for exploring the surrounding region.
Traditional villages, marshlands, and protected areas offer excellent wildlife observation opportunities, especially for the emblematic local species: the Alaotra bamboo lemur, found nowhere else in the world and living exclusively among the lake’s reeds.

Finally, Ambatondrazaka serves as an excellent base for expeditions to Zahamena National Park, one of Madagascar’s forest jewels.
Its proximity to protected natural areas makes it a key stop for travelers seeking a rural, authentic Madagascar, still largely untouched by mass tourism.

Zahamena National Park

Zahamena National Park, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site within the Rainforests of the Atsinanana, is one of Madagascar’s richest and most mysterious biological zones.
Located between Ambatondrazaka and the east coast, this mountainous and difficult-to-access park has long remained sheltered from mass tourism, preserving its exceptional biodiversity and intact landscapes.

Covering more than 64,000 hectares of dense humid forest, the park hosts luxuriant vegetation across all altitudes.
It is home to over 150 vascular plant species, rare ferns, more than 500 tree species, 22 palm species, and around 60 orchid varieties.
The evergreen rainforest forms a true natural laboratory, fascinating for botanists and nature lovers alike.

Zahamena’s fauna is equally remarkable.
Nearly 112 bird species have been recorded, including many extremely rare endemics, making it a paradise for birdwatchers.
The park also shelters over 40 reptile species and 13 lemur species, including the Indri, diademed sifaka, black-and-white ruffed lemur, hairy-eared dwarf lemur, and the elusive aye-aye.
The Alaotra bamboo lemur finds refuge in nearby marshlands.

Access to the park requires careful organization.
Zahamena has deliberately remained wild, with difficult tracks, steep trails, and simple logistics.
This isolation guarantees total immersion in pristine primary forest, where bird calls, rustling leaves, and morning mist create an almost mystical atmosphere.
Visitors discover waterfalls, rivers, panoramic viewpoints, and deep forests in an environment where human presence is minimal.

Zahamena also plays a key role in understanding Madagascar’s environmental challenges.
Facing strong agricultural pressure and deforestation, the park is vital for species conservation and water resource protection.
A visit to Zahamena is therefore more than an excursion—it is an immersion into one of the island’s last great humid forests, a natural sanctuary of immense value.

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is one of Madagascar’s most emblematic natural sites and certainly the most visited in the eastern region.
Located about 150 km from Antananarivo, it is ideal for a complete immersion in tropical rainforest within a short time.

The park is divided into two distinct areas: Analamazaotra, the most accessible and frequently visited, and Mantadia, wilder, larger, and far more preserved.
Together, they form a true biodiversity sanctuary reflecting the exceptional richness of eastern Madagascar’s forests.

Andasibe-Mantadia is best known for the Indri Indri, the largest living lemur.
Its powerful, haunting call echoes through the forest and is one of Madagascar’s most moving natural sounds.
Observing the Indri in its natural habitat is an unforgettable experience.

The park also shelters many other lemur species, including diademed sifakas, bamboo lemurs, nocturnal mouse lemurs, and the aye-aye in more remote areas.
Birdlife is equally impressive, with rare species such as the Tylas, Madagascar blue roller, and crested coua.
Reptiles, amphibians, and chameleons complete this extraordinary ecosystem.

Vegetation is dense and luxuriant: tree ferns, giant lianas, cascading orchids, centuries-old trees, and countless endemic plants create a spectacular setting.
Mantadia, in particular, offers steeper terrain and fewer visitors, ideal for hikers and wilderness enthusiasts.

Access to Analamazaotra is easy, just a few kilometers from Andasibe village, while Mantadia requires more planning and a longer, sometimes challenging track depending on the season.
Well-trained local guides offer both daytime and nighttime visits, revealing wildlife active at different times.

Andasibe-Mantadia is also a model of community-based conservation.
Local populations actively participate in forest protection through ecotourism initiatives such as the V.O.I.M.M.A. community reserve, offering additional immersion in locally managed areas.

Visiting this park means entering a world of mist, lemur calls, and deep green forest—an essential experience for any journey to Madagascar.