Family-run guesthouse in Andasibe village offering simple, clean rooms and good Malagasy meals. Perfect budget base for exploring Andasibe National Park with helpful owners who arrange guides and tours.
Chez Arol is a family-run guesthouse situated in Andasibe village along National Road 2 (RN2), approximately 140 kilometres east of Antananarivo. The village sits at the entry point to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, home to the indri — Madagascar's largest living lemur species and one of the most sought-after wildlife encounters on the island. As a result, Andasibe has developed a small cluster of budget accommodation options, and Chez Arol is consistently regarded as a dependable choice that combines clean, modest lodging with genuine Malagasy hospitality.
The guesthouse offers a handful of simple rooms built in concrete construction with wooden furnishings, tiled floors, and mosquito nets. Rooms are cleaned daily and hot water is available, which distinguishes Chez Arol from the most basic village guesthouses in the area. A shared lounge serves as a social gathering space in the evenings, and owner Arol and family members are known for their warmth and willingness to help guests plan park activities.
Meals are prepared on-site using fresh local produce, focusing on traditional Malagasy dishes: rice-centred plates with accompaniments of laoka stew, zebu beef, roasted vegetables, and seasonal fruits. The quality of home-cooked food at Chez Arol is frequently cited as a differentiator from other village options. A communal dining table encourages conversation among guests, who typically include wildlife researchers, independent travellers, and overland visitors making the journey east from Antananarivo.
The family maintains established connections with certified park guides who meet guests at the guesthouse and accompany them to the national park entry gates a short walk away. Guided walks for indri sightings depart in the early morning, as the lemurs are most vocal and visible before mid-morning. Night walks into the adjacent Mitsinjo reserve — which does not require an entry permit — can also be arranged for observing chameleons, geckos, and nocturnal lemur species.
Andasibe village is accessible from Antananarivo by shared taxi-brousse from the Fasan'ny Karana bus station, taking approximately three to four hours, or by private vehicle hire in around two hours via RN2.
Amenities
- restaurant
- shared lounge
- tour arrangements
- hot water
- parking
Location
Andasibe village, near RN2
-18.9400, 48.4200 View on map
Highlights
- Family-run guesthouse with clean rooms and hot water in Andasibe village, gateway to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
- Owner-arranged certified guide connections for early morning indri lemur sightings in the national park
- Home-cooked Malagasy meals featuring rice, zebu stew, and fresh seasonal produce
- Walking distance to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park entry gates
- Night walk arrangements into Mitsinjo reserve for chameleons, geckos, and nocturnal lemurs
Tips for visiting
- Arrive by late afternoon at the latest to allow time to settle before an early morning park walk; indri are most active between 6 and 9 am
- Bring cash in Malagasy Ariary; there are no ATMs in Andasibe village and the nearest banking is in Moramanga, 26 km west
- Park entry fees are paid at the gates in Ariary; confirm current rates before leaving Antananarivo
- Book a room a few days ahead during peak months (July–September) as availability at the guesthouse is limited
- Rubber boots are useful after rain, as park trails can become very muddy during the wet season from November to April
When to visit
The dry season from May to October provides the most reliable weather for park walks and the clearest indri sightings. The wet season from November to April is lush and dramatic but trails can be muddy. Indri can be heard year-round.
Accessibility
Chez Arol is a simple guesthouse on mostly flat village ground. The surrounding Andasibe national park trails are steep and involve uneven forest terrain, making them unsuitable for wheelchair users. The guesthouse itself does not have facilities adapted for wheelchair access.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Chez Arol suitable for budget travellers?
The guesthouse is a very good fit for budget travel. Rooms are simple and clean, meals are affordable and freshly prepared, and the family owners help arrange park entry and guide hire without inflated tour markups.
How close is Chez Arol to Andasibe National Park?
The guesthouse is in the village immediately adjacent to the park's main entry gate, accessible on foot in a few minutes. Guides meet guests at the guesthouse in the early morning and walk with them to the park entrance.
What wildlife can visitors expect to see in Andasibe?
The indri (Indri indri), Madagascar's largest lemur, is the flagship species. Others include the diademed sifaka, black-and-white ruffed lemur, and various nocturnal species. Chameleons, geckos, and colourful frogs are abundant in the surrounding rainforest.
How do visitors reach Andasibe from Antananarivo?
Options include a shared taxi-brousse from Fasan'ny Karana bus station in Antananarivo, taking three to four hours, or a private vehicle hire which covers the distance in approximately two hours on National Road 2.