Northern Madagascar
Akiba Lodge (formerly Black Lemur Camp)
Surrounded by beautiful mountains and mixed evergreen and deciduous forests, Akiba Lodge (formerly known as Black Lemur Camp) is nestled next to the Analamerana Special Reserve in the far north of Madagascar. The lodge has recently benefited from a refurbishment and fits in well with a circuit of the north including Ankarana tsingy.
Akiba Lodge is run by the Lemur Conservation charity FANABY to encourage sensitive, community-based ecotourism to this little-visited region. The Analamerana Special Reserve is the last refuge of the critically endangered Perrier’s sifaka, of which only 250 or so individuals remain in the wild with none in captivity. The all-black Perrier’s sifaka is restricted to northern Madagascar where its population and distribution have been greatly reduced and fragmented by habitat loss for livestock, agriculture and, sadly, hunting. Visitors have a great opportunity to see this beautiful primate on a 45-minute walk from the lodge and such visits in turn help provide funding and employment to the local community who protect the forest.
Accommodation comprises 10 clean and comfortable rustic chalets with private bathrooms (simple showers only) and mosquito netting . The main building boasts wonderful sweeping views down the valley and houses a restaurant, bar and lounge area. Local women serve the delicious perfumed white rice grown in nearby Anjahankely village. Solar power is used to provide electricity and Wi-Fi 24 hours a day and the staff are particularly friendly.
The wider area offers many other natural attractions: sandstone topography covered by rainforest, karst limestone formations within tropical dry forest, and transitional forests with highlights including abundant lemur life and a natural swimming pool in which to refresh. Visiting the village to see them making the special perfumed white rice is also fascinating.
Facilities
Black Lemur Camp has 10 spacious but simple bungalows with private bathrooms, all built using local materials. Eight rooms are tented lodge style and 2 are larger family bungalows in semi-hard buildings.
Local Wildlife
The all black Perrier’s sifaka is the highlight species, for which the lodge was named after. This acrobatic species is severely threatened with extinction and is listed as one of the world’s top 25 most endangered primates by the IUCN. They are easily seen on a walk just 45 minutes from the lodge.
Other species include the beautiful crowned lemur, Sandford's brown lemur and Ankarana sportive lemur and northern rufous mouse lemurs could be spotted after dark. Ring-tailed mongoose and a variety of birds and reptiles can also be found in the dry forest.
Optional Activities
There are many trails you can choose to walk, caves to explore and also a small area of tsingy and natural swimming pool in the forest, all nearby.
You can also experience the special perfumed white rice of the local village, produced the Association of women during a visit to the local village.
Claire Pote
Area Specialist
Add a visit to the Red Tsingy on your way to the lodge.
If you have any questions regarding our Madagascar tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
Having recently returned from a truly memorable 3 weeks in Madagascar we wanted to express our sincerest thanks to you Helen, and all at Reef and Rainforest for arranging such a superb wildlife viewing experience.
As you are aware, we were particularly keen to see and photograph the fosa. At Kirindy forest we actually encountered 3. Despite the rather challenging accommodation we would highly recommend the Kirindy experience to all those wanting an exceptional primate viewing experience.
Overall our lemur species/subspecies count was 22 and other notable sightings included 2 species of mongoose, giant jumping rats, a huge Madagascar ground boa, humpback whales and the Madagascar fish eagle.
Every detail of the trip from start to finish was superbly well arranged and managed, which cannot be easy in a country with such complex problems. Well done Helen.
All aspects of the trip were outstanding. Wildlife, people, culture and geography. We will certainly return again to visit the north of the island and return to paradise, Anjajavy.
This was our second trip with Reef and Rainforest and I cannot speak highly enough of your company. I would recommend your services to any natural world/wildlife enthusiast. Thank you again.
