Guy Witney Krocker: Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is a 155 square kilometre protected area about two hours by good highway east of Antananarivo. There are two separate parks; Mantadia National Park and Analamazoatra Reserve. The bulk of the tourist visit the Analamazoatra Reserve as it has easy access and paths as well as large numbers of Indri, Madagascar's largest Lemur and the parks star attraction.

Not surprisingly to those who know me I spent all of my time in the less visited park Mantadia where the trails are more remote and difficult.

The primary growth forests of Mantadia are dense and humid, covered with lians, moss, fern tress and more than hundred orchids species The Park’s elevation ranges from 800-1260 meters with steep hills and stream laden valleys. The trails are well marked an in great shape but by the end of a full day hiking up ridges and down along the valleys chasing after lemurs I was one bagged puppy.

It is a rough eight km 4wd ride up to the hiking trails from my lodge but once you get up to the main valley it becomes immediately obvious it is so very worth it. Three days of hiking Mantidia was phenomenal, one big time benefit was that this park was coolest temperature of any I had been so far, twenty six to twenty eight degrees. When you catch a breeze on the hilltops it was actually somewhat cooling for a change.

The Indri calls reverberate up and down the valley, they are incredibly loud and haunting. Indi groups maintain regular contact with each other with these calls. Very cool

The Mantidia waterfalls and lakes are sacred to the local people so we take great care to ensure we respect their traditions and culture while we are there. Once my guide was aware that I was interested in this aspect he opened up and was quite a fountain of information. He even serenaded me with one of the songs sang at the main waterfall gathering area. Yet another reason why I like to explore alone with a guide.

There are healthy populations of Lemurs, chameleons, lizards and I was able to see my first Madagascar Tree Boa (the picture sucks as he would not show his head) as well as a very cool little Tenrec, it looks like a cross between a mole and a porcupine

I had a wonderful time hiking the highlands at this place few tourists and a bonus, my lodge was quite posh, I had to be close to the park you know..... birders have to start early. (wink) Besides after 5 weeks into this trip a little extra comfort is much appreciated.