The park’s elevation ranges from 800 to 1,260 metres (2,600 to 4,100 feet) above sea level. The rainforest habitat is home to a vast number of biodiverse species of fauna and flora, including many endemic rare and endangered species, including an incredible 14 different lemur species.
The park, created in 1989, has two components, namely the northern Mantadia National Park and the Analamazoatra Reserve in the south next to Andasibe village, popularly known by the old French name of the nearby town and railway station, Périnet. Due to its proximity to the capital and the good road conditions all year round almost all visitors to the island will at some point visit Andasibe-Mantadia, and with good reason; there is much to see here!
Andasibe-Mantadia contains dense humid forest covered with lichen, ferns and moss. It is a wet place; average annual precipitation is 1,700 mm, with rainfall on 210 days of each year! More than a hundred orchids species bloom here between September and January.
Some truly amazing bird species can be seen here in the park. The bird list is at well over 100 species, and special species include the gorgeous Red-breasted Coua, Scaly, Rufous-headed and Short-legged Ground Roller, the secretive Madagascan Ibis, Madagascan Blue Pigeon, Crossley’s Vanga, Common and Dark Newtonia, Wedge-tailed, Green, Stripe-throated and Common Jery, Cryptic Warbler and Forest Fody.
Apart from the top birds already mentioned, Andasibe-Mantadia is best known for its population of Madagascar’s largest lemur, the Indri, with its distinctive and peculiar call that echoes through the forest in the mornings. The park is by far the best place to observe these animals given that there are a couple of families habituated to humans. It lives in small groups and cannot survive in captivity. There are several legends trying to explain its origins since it is considered a sacred animal in all of Madagascar. Nowadays it is unfortunately endangered due to deforestation and agricultural activities next to the reserves.
Apart from the Indri, another 13 lemur species inhabit these forests, such as Eastern Woolly Lemur, Eastern Lesser Bamboo Lemur, Diademed Sifaka, Red-bellied Lemur, Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur and more.
Apart from the wonderful mammals and birds the park also boasts 50 species of reptiles, among them the biggest chameleon in the world (Parson’s Chameleon), the Malagasy Tree Boa, Henkel’s Leaf-tailed Gecko and more than 80 amphibians, such as the spectacular Madagascar Golden Frog. There are also a few local endemic fishes swimming in the small rivers and hundreds of insects, among them some extraordinary colourful and big butterflies, as well as the Giraffe Weevil, a tiny red and black insect named for its unusually long neck.
Join one of our Madagascar Safaris and Tours to experience this wonderful safari destination with us.
