Experience an unforgettable lemur encounter at Madagascar’s Andasibe Vakona Forest. Perfect for families and baby-friendly travel!
Table of Contents
- Main Journey
- Events
- Tips for Traveling with a Baby
- Local Travel Tips
- Travel Reflections
Main Journey
As soon as we arrived in Andasibe, we wasted no time and headed straight to Vakona Forest.
A Quick Rest Before the Adventure
After rolling around in our bungalow for a bit, we heard a knock on the door. It was Grandpa Digi, our driver, introducing us to our Andasibe guide, Christian.
We asked about the different tours available in Andasibe, and here’s what we found.
Andasibe Tour Options & Prices
- Andasibe National Park Tour
- Well-preserved forest with four species of wild lemurs
- Tours last 4+ hours
- Entrance fee: 50,000 MGA per person
- 2-hour guided tour: 30,000 MGA per person
- Total per person: 80,000 MGA (~$20)
- V.O.I Private Forest Tour
- Smaller than the national park but still offers a similar experience
- Maximum 3-hour tour with three species of wild lemurs
- Entrance + 2-hour guided tour: 30,000 MGA (~$8)
- Vakona Forest Tour
- Home to three species of tame lemurs
- Visitors can touch, feed, and interact with lemurs
- Also features crocodiles, fossas, and turtles
- Entrance fee: 25,000 MGA (~$7)
- Night Walking Tour
- A 1-hour walk along the road after sunset
- Spot nocturnal wildlife like mouse lemurs, chameleons, and insects
- Fee: 20,000 MGA (~$5)
Since we wanted to have a variety of experiences while staying within budget, we decided not to do the national park tour and instead combine options 2, 3, and 4.
Our Itinerary
- Now: Vakona Forest Tour
- Evening: Night Walking Tour
- Next Morning: V.O.I Forest Tour
- Then: Return to Antananarivo
With this plan in place, we left for Vakona Forest before the sun went down.
Arriving at Vakona Forest
Vakona Forest is part of Vakona Lodge, which also offers accommodation and a restaurant.
Travel Time from Our Lodge: About 30 minutes by car
Unexpected Problem: Sweetie fell asleep on the way!
We had been looking forward to letting our little one touch, feed, and even carry lemurs, but it happened to be nap time. Since we had no choice, we let Sweetie continue sleeping while we went to buy tickets.
Entry Fees
- Guests staying at Vakona Lodge: 15,000 MGA
- Regular visitors: 25,000 MGA
- Babies & toddlers: Free
Time was tight because our night tour was scheduled for 6:15 PM, so Grandpa Digi drove us quickly to the entrance.
Once we got there, we boarded a canoe to enter the forest. The ride lasted only 30 seconds! We had imagined a long, scenic canoe journey, but it was just a tiny water crossing.
Events
Meeting the Lemurs
As soon as we stepped off the canoe, lemurs rushed toward us.
Our guide pulled out some bananas, and in an instant, we were surrounded. These lemurs clearly knew the drill.
Tip from the Guide:
Since the lemurs climb onto your shoulders and head, it’s best to wear a raincoat or waterproof jacket. Otherwise, their muddy feet will leave your clothes a mess.
Julie held out a banana, and a lemur immediately jumped onto her shoulder to grab it. She was surprised by how heavy it was. Then, out of nowhere, another lemur landed on my head!
Sweetie, who had just woken up, looked curious but also a little overwhelmed. When we asked the guide if it was safe for a lemur to climb onto a toddler, he assured us that small lemurs would be fine.
As soon as a tiny lemur climbed onto Sweetie’s shoulder, she burst into laughter. She was so excited—until a bigger lemur jumped onto her head. She wobbled and started crying.
Julie and I quickly helped her, but we couldn’t stop laughing. Sweetie was so cute, and even though she got scared, she wanted to try again.
Instead of letting the lemur climb on her, she tried a different approach—gently touching its tail from behind. She giggled and whispered, “Ticklish!”
Watching her explore and adapt at her own pace reminded us that when traveling with a baby, patience is key. Given time, they always find their own way to experience the world.
Tips for Traveling with a Baby
- Dress appropriately – Lemurs love to climb, and their feet can be muddy. A waterproof jacket is a good idea.
- Plan around nap times – If your child is excited about an activity, try to schedule it when they are well-rested.
- Introduce animals slowly – Some kids may be scared at first, so let them observe before jumping in.
- Ask the guide for help – The guides know how to handle lemurs safely, especially when introducing them to children.
- Have a backup plan – If your baby gets too scared, just let them watch and interact in their own way.
Local Travel Tips
- Best Tour Combination
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly and diverse experience, skip the national park and do the combination of:- Vakona Forest (for interactive lemur encounters)
- Night Walking Tour (to see nocturnal wildlife)
- V.O.I Forest (to observe lemurs in a semi-wild environment)
- Where to Stay
- Vakona Lodge – Convenient for Vakona Forest visitors
- Andasibe Hotel – Closer to the national park, with comfortable rooms
- Clothing & Footwear
The trails can be muddy, so wear non-slip shoes. Bring a raincoat if visiting during the wet season.
Travel Reflections
Vakona Forest isn’t a place to see truly wild lemurs, but it offers a rare chance to interact with them up close. For families, especially with young children, it’s a fantastic experience.
At the same time, seeing the tame lemurs here made us reflect on the wild lemurs we had observed in Kirindy Forest. There was something magical about watching them in their natural habitat, untouched by humans.
If you visit Andasibe, I recommend doing both—a wild lemur tour and a hands-on experience like Vakona Forest. It’s the perfect balance between adventure and family-friendly fun.
Leave a Reply