What to do and Where to Stay in Eastern Madagascar

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Andasibe has become a shorthand for what’s really a wider cluster of protected areas, offering wonderful wildlife viewing and a fabulous introduction to Madagascar’s eastern forests. There’s the small village of Andasibe (well worth a bit of a potter around if you have a spare afternoon), and surrounding it several wonderful protected forest areas. Hiking early in the morning in the Analamazaotra Forest and hearing the call of the indri long before you see them is utterly thrilling, and night walks are fabulous for spotting mouse lemurs zipping through the trees.

Further north, Mantadia is the spot to go for purists- the hiking is tougher, and you have to earn your wildlife sightings, but your rewards are far fewer visitors, lovely views, and fabulous birdwatching.