Berenty Reserve and Mandrare

Why visit Berenty Reserve and Mandrare?

Berenty is a private reserve set along the Mandrare river. It has been a base for scientific research into lemurs for over 40 years and is also a popular tourist spot. The reserve includes the spiny forest unique to the south of Madagascar, and an excellent cultural museum.
Reasons to visit Berenty Reserve and Mandrare include:

• Wander through the fascinating landscape, which includes closed canopy forest, open scrubland and the spiny forest. 
• There are six species of lemur including large groups of ringtailed lemurs and the dancing Verreaux sifakas. 
• Berenty is also home to a large colony of fruit bats and over 100 species of birds, plus radiated and spider tortoises. 
• Visit the Museum of Antandroy and learn about the culture and lifestyle of the Antandroy tribe, including a recreation of a traditional house and displays of weaving. 
• Stay on the banks of the Mandrare River, with its views of sacred mountains, take a walking or 4x4 day or night safari, or visit a local market or witness traditional Antandroy ceremonies, music and dance.

When to go to Berenty Reserve and Mandrare

Berenty Reserve can be visited all-year round. Winter is cold and dry, and summer (November to February) can be very hot, with temperatures as high as 40°C. February and March is a good time to see newly-weaned lemurs.

How to do it

Berenty is located in the Tamarind gallery forest, found along the Mandrare River. To get here it is about an hour's flight from Tana to Fort Dauphin, then it's a two-hour road transfer through changing scenery as you pass from the coast to the dry, hot climate of the south.

Where to stay in Berenty and Mandare

Accommodation of a suitable standard is quite limited here and we like to use the Mandrare River Camp, a stunning tented camp with a river bank location.