Andasibe, Madagascar 
August 21, 2015

Another long day in the saddle as we made our way north, back through Antananarivo (Tana) and east to Andasibe. Every town here seems to start with ‘A’. At least we changed to 4WD’s just before Tana, which made half of our journey much more bearable. It’s amazing how some extra leg room makes all the difference. Our vehicle changeover was also where we stopped for lunch at a holiday resort built on the edge of a lake. A large complex with dining room and a large swimming pool. A leisurely lunch and relax before heading off on the next leg of our journey.  

The villages of the east are largely made of timber, rather than of bricks. Many abandoned factories appear in these parts but otherwise the villages are much the same as south of Tana. Off the bitumen at Moramanga and onto an unmade road into the Analamazoatra National Park but eventually we came to a great resort on the edge of the forest. 

The Vakona Forest Lodge with its scattered chalet-like accommodation, set in lovely lush gardens and its large circular reception, lounge and restaurant was a real treat. Bed soon after dinner to get some good sleep before a big day of potential Lemur spotting tomorrow.