Mantadia National Park
Perinet (Analamazaotra)
Madagascar
About 37 km from Perinet, Mantadia is a spectacular national park spanning
10 000 hectares of primary rainforest inhabited by rare wildlife not found
in Perinet. Star attractions include the diadem sifaka, ruffed lemur and
all four rainforest-dependent ground-rollers.
These rainforest reserves are about 3 hours from Antananarivo. Trails
are gentle in Perinet, steeper in Mantadia.
This mountain rainforest harbours the largest of the lemurs, the indri,
with its black and white markings and eerie, wailing cry. Eight other
species of lemur inhabit the reserve. Four nocturnal species (woolly lemur,
sportive lemur, greater dwarf lemur and rufous mouse lemur) are commonly
encountered. Pack a torch for night walks.
The 810- hectare reserve claims a world record for frog diversity, with
over 100 documented species. Reptiles include the enormous Parson’s
chameleon. Birders can expect to see blue coua, coral-billed nuthatch
vanga and many more. We recommend that birders visit one of the nearby
marshes for localised endemics.
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