Mitsinjo Forest

Wildlife & Animals

Expert

Anthony is the author of the Lonely Planet guide to Madagascar.

Mitsinjo Forest is adjacent to Analamazaotra National Park (part of Andasibe-Mantadia National Park). The great advantage of a visit here is the night hike, which is not possible inside the national park. This increases your chances of seeing the six nocturnal lemur species that inhabit the area. By day, Madagascar’s largest lemur, the teddy-bear-like indri, is commonly spotted. Their wailing calls make them easy to track.

Indri Common

Red-bellied
lemur Occasional

Eastern
woolly lemur Occasional

Common
brown lemur Common

Grey
bamboo lemur Occasional

Goodman's
mouse lemur Occasional

Parson's
chameleon Occasional

Other
chameleons Common

Leaf-tailed
geckos Common

Painted
mantella Occasional

Diademed sifaka Rare

Madagascar
tree boa Rare

Fossa Very Rare

Ring-tailed
mongoose Very Rare

Wildlife Highlights

Mitsinjo Forest is recommended for night walks; in Andasibe-Mantadia this activity is restricted to the public road along the boundary of the park. The six nocturnal lemur species that it’s possible to see are the aye-aye, eastern woolly lemur, sportive lemur, dwarf lemur, rufous mouse lemur and Goodman’s mouse lemur. The latter was only discovered in 2005. By day and night, guides are usually able to find lots of different chameleon and frog species.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Mitsinjo Forest can be visited throughout the year. Indri sightings are possible during the daytime year-round. However, the best time for wildlife viewing are the shoulder months of April, May, October and November. Many reptiles and some mammals, such as tenrecs and dwarf lemurs, are harder to see in the cold drier months from June to September. The wettest months are from December to March and at this time hiking in the forest can become more difficult.