Vakona Forest Lodge

CEDARBERG RATING

Comfortable

Overview

The well-situated Vakona Forest Lodge lies 8 kilometres from Andasibe (PΓ©rinet), between Andasibe and the Mantadia National Park in Eastern Madagascar.

The charming main building has been designed around an octagonal reception area (common in Malagasy architecture) with a lounge, bar and restaurant with a huge fireplace in the middle to keep the airy space warm in winter. There’s also a small library. Outside you can relax on the veranda overlooking the forest and lake or around the large central swimming pool .

The sounds of the forest are amazing here – the lodge is set among trees, on the banks of a small river that runs into a lake. Quiet and peaceful with lots of birds and within earshot of the Indri’s haunting call, this is the perfect place to relax.

We recommend a couple of nights as you can visit both the nearby reserves of Andasibe and Mantadia from here. Activities at Vakona Forest Lodge include canoeing, horse riding, swimming, bowls, table tennis and billiards and there is a playing field for children. The hotel also has its ownΒ smallΒ wildlife reserve as well asΒ Β ‘lemur island’ with habituated black and white lemurs and brown lemurs which are very relaxed, jumping onto your shoulders without the slightest hesitation.

At A Glance

  • Off the beaten track
  • Swimming pool
  • Rural location
  • Walking Safari
  • Walking Trail

Vakona Forest Lodge on the map

Rooms

28 Malagasy bungalows are scattered through a tropical garden of palm trees and bougainvillea. All are very simply furnished with tea/coffee facilities, a third bed in a small alcove area, bathroom with shower and heating for the winter months. These include 10 family bungalows with a mezzanine level for kids as well as 7 three-bedroomed bungalows for larger families. Each has an en suite shower room, mosquito nets, heating, safe and minibar. Outside there is a furnished veranda with chairs offering an alfresco sitting area.

Vakona Forest Lodge review

I stayed at both Andasibe Hotel and Vakona and can recommend both happily, but Vakona was my favourite, even though the rooms at Andasibe Hotel were much smarter.Β Why did I like Vakona more? I think it was the setting of the hotel, being more in the forest, the lakeside setting and ambience of the main octagonal building cantilevered overΒ lake with a roaring central fireplace.

Kate Bergh
Africa Travel Specialist