Southern Madagascar
Berenty Lodge
Established in 1937 as one of the first nature reserves in Madagascar, Berenty is not for everyone, but for the right people it is much appreciated and enjoyed. Accommodation is fairly basic and service is in need of attention but Berenty provides easy walking along well tended, level and wide trails in shady riverine gallery forest and patches of spiny forest where habituated lemurs and other wildlife can easily be seen. It is suitable for families with young children, those with mobility problems and those who relish tame “wilderness” in which plenty of habituated wildlife can be seen.
The lodge and land are owned by the locally powerful de Heaulme family, who developed the extensive, surrounding sisal plantations and owns some hotels in Fort Dauphin, including the Croix du Sud and Le Dauphin.
Facilities
13 bungalows and 12 rooms. Snack bar, restaurant, Antandroy tribal museum, nearby sisal factory
Local Wildlife
Ring-tailed, red-fronted brown, collared brown, white-footed sportive, grey mouse and Verreux’s sifaka lemurs can all be seen quite easily at Berenty. There are also many bird species such as giant coua, souimanga sunbird and hook-billed vanga, and reptiles including radiated tortoise and Oustelet’s chameleon.
Optional Activities
Walking in the private reserve on wide, well-marked trails and within the patches of spiny forest, either independently or with a guide. Guided nocturnal nature walks.
Alan Godwin
Area Specialist
Berenty is accessible year round: it’s best for baby lemurs in September and October, and for reptiles from December to March. Electricity goes off at 11pm, so take a head torch for night reading. Berenty is very suitable for young children, with safe trails and no dangerous wildlife. Babysitting is not officially offered but may be arranged with the management on request.
If you have any questions regarding our Madagascar tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
Loved it all! 17 species of lemurs, loads of reptiles and endemic birds. Did masses of photography. Highlights included male giraffe necked weevil, witnessing an indri howling and Verreauxs sifakas jumping through the trees in gorgeous early morning light. [Our guide] was great as were local guides. Very happy with the itinerary. We wanted it to be a wildlife holiday as that is our primary interest, but found the landscape variety and tribal dimensions very rewarding too.