Western Madagascar
Blue Vanga Lodge
Located in a rural part of Ampijoroa 10 minutes’ drive from the Ankarafantsika (Ampijoroa) National Park, the Blue Vanga Lodge provides simple yet clean and comfortable accommodation.
The friendly owners provide excellent hospitality but due to the remoteness of the area, it is not always possible to provide every luxury all of the time and meals can be a little limited in option.
The solid, brick-built bungalows are basic but have comfortable beds, and electricity is provided from 6pm to 11pm most days for lighting and charging equipment. Each room has an en suite bathroom with western flush toilet and shower with no hot water. The rooms are simple but feature a desk and chair, luggage rack and fan, and a laundry service is also available. The small restaurant has individual dining tables and there are usually 2 or 3 options available for each course. The lodge sits on the edge of a village so it is not uncommon to wake to the sound of cockerels in the morning.
It’s the best base from which to visit Ankarafantsika National Park (aka Ampijoroa). The park is a superb example of tropical dry deciduous forest with many lemurs and special birds, plus a large lake harbouring Nile crocodiles, many waterfowl and the endangered Madagascar fish eagle.
Facilities
Restaurant, variable electricity supply, fan and private bathrooms with western flush toilets and showers without hot water.
Local Wildlife
The forest contains rare, localised endemic birds including Van Dam’s vanga, white-breasted mesite, red capped coua, Schlegal's asity and the impressive Madagascar fish eagle. There are an impressive 45 species of reptile recorded in the area including amazing chameleons such as the Oustalet's, dwarf, horned and rhinoceros. Other reptiles include iguanid lizard, fish-scaled gecko and spear-nosed snake. Seven species of lemur inhabit the area, including the beautiful Coquerel’s sifaka, common brown lemur, Milne-Edwards sportive lemur and locally endemic golden-brown mouse lemur. Jersey Zoo’s exemplary Angonoka Project is located here too, protecting the ploughshare tortoise, the rarest in the world.
Optional Activities
Wildlife watching and hiking in the Ankarafantsika reserve. Boat trip on the lake (sometimes not operational). It is also possible to visit Ampijoroa village and an impressive sandstone canyon.
Alan Godwin
Area Specialist
Go with an open mind and managed expectations and you will have an enjoyable stay at this lodge.
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.