Vakona Forest Lodge is an impressive destination situated within its own private reserve, Analamazotra, in the heart of the Perinet Forest. It is a family-run hotel seven kilometres from the entrance to Périnet and offers the most comfortable accommodation in the area. Périnet is the most accessible of Madagascar’s rainforest reserves, renowned for its troupes of Indri Lemur.
Vakona Forest Lodge has 10 twin / double rooms and 14 family bungalows, with an additional bedroom on a mezzanine. Each has private facilities, heaters, safe and minibar, and a terrace from which to enjoy views of the surrounding forest. The style of the bungalows derives from traditional Malagasy architecture.
The main building has been thoughtfully designed as an octagonal reception area, bar and lounge-dining room with a huge log-fire in the middle. The restaurant was one of the first in Madagascar to include vegetarian options on its menu. Delicious French, Malagasy and Chinese dishes complete the menu. Full-length windows provide spectacular views over the forest. There is also an outdoor terrace extending over the lake.
The lodge has a pool, with deckchairs, which is a pleasant place to spend the middle of the day. Squash, table tennis, billiards and boules are also on offer. There is a curio shop. You can hire a mountain bike and follow well signed paths into the private reserve. You can go riding through the forest, or paddle a canoe on the lake. In the nearby famous Perinet National Park accompanied by a local guide and a driver, guests can explore by vehicle or on foot, day or night and at their own pace. The wildlife stars of the park are the Indri Indri- the largest members of the lemur family whose eerie calls can be heard through the thick rainforest canopy at dawn. The numbers and wide variety of diurnal and nocturnal species make this a very special destination. Vakona Forest Lodge has some private lemur islands which appeal to some people and repel others but are a great opportunity to get up close to Lemurs in a natural setting.
Vakona Forest Lodge is situated a 10 minute drive from Perinet.