Nosy Soa Park: Lemur Island on Lake Mantasoa

Nosy Soa Park is a private island reserve on Lake Mantasoa, about 65 km east of Antananarivo. The 8.8-hectare island shelters roughly 80 lemurs across six species, including ring-tailed lemurs that will climb onto your shoulder for a slice of banana. Day tours from the capital typically cost between €100 and €300 per person, depending on group size and inclusions.

The park sits in the Analamanga region, within the commune of Ambatoloana. It was not always this green. Before 2002, the island was a charred patch of earth, stripped bare by fires set by fishermen who camped there. A family took over the land and planted around 9,000 trees — fruit varieties, eucalyptus, ravintsara, and precious woods. Two decades later, the canopy has closed, and the fauna has returned.

What you find today is part zoo, part botanical garden, and part conservation experiment. The island's flat, sandy paths make for easy walking, and a full circuit takes about an hour at a gentle pace. That short visit packs in a lot: free-roaming lemurs, chameleons, tortoises, endemic birds, and a small collection of reptiles. It is not a wilderness experience — the animals are habituated to people, and some are fed by hand. But for travelers short on time, it offers the closest lemur encounter to the capital.

Getting There and Practical Details

Location and Transport

The drive from Antananarivo follows National Road 2 east to Ambatoloana, then a 20-minute dirt track to Mantasoa village. The road is passable year-round, though the final stretch can be bumpy after heavy rain. From Mantasoa, a motorboat crosses the lake to the island in 10 to 30 minutes, depending on your departure point. Most tours leave Antananarivo around 7:00 or 8:00 AM and return by early evening.

Independent travelers can arrange a boat at Mantasoa village, but costs are per crossing, not per person. A recent visitor reported paying 165,000 Ariary for the boat — reasonable if you are a group of four or more, expensive if you are alone. The park entrance fee is 25,000 Ariary per person, and guide tips are expected. Fees are subject to change, so check the official site or call ahead for current rates.

Opening Hours and Booking

The park is open daily from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, according to Petit Futé. Trip.com lists it as open all day, but the 9:30 to 5:00 window is more reliable for planning. A new restaurant opened on the island in late 2025, making lunch on-site a viable option. For bookings, the park's contact number is +261 20 22 318 51, and the mobile is +261 34 15 597 21. The email [email protected] was active as of 2017, though response times may vary.

If you are coming from Antananarivo, the easiest route is a packaged day tour. Operators like Friendly Tour Guide Madagascar and Dav Safaris include hotel pickup, boat transfer, park entry, and a guide. Prices range from $240 to $295 per person on Viator and Expedia, with some private options exceeding €500. These tours often combine Nosy Soa with the Peyrieras Reptile Park or the Jean Laborde historical site, adding variety to the day.

Best Time to Visit

The park is accessible year-round, but the most comfortable months are April, May, September, and October. These fall in the cooler, drier window between the heavy rains of January to March and the cold, damp winter of June to August. Mantasoa has a tropical highland climate, so mornings can be chilly even in the dry season — bring a light jacket for the boat ride.

Rainy season brings muddy paths and occasional boat cancellations, though the lake looks fuller and the vegetation is lush. If you visit between December and March, plan for afternoon showers and check the forecast before heading out. The lemurs are active throughout the day, but feeding sessions tend to draw the largest crowds around midday.

What to See and Do on the Island

Lemur Encounters

The main draw is the lemurs. Ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) are the most visible, often gathering near the arrival dock in groups of ten or more. Black-and-white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata) stay higher in the trees, while eastern lesser bamboo lemurs (Hapalemur griseus) rustle through the bamboo stands. Guides carry bananas and call the animals by name — "Maki maki!" — and the lemurs respond by descending for a snack. They are gentle but eager, and a few will jump onto your shoulder without invitation. If you are not comfortable with that, keep your distance and let the guide handle the feeding.

A word of caution: the lemurs are wild animals, not pets. One visitor reported being nipped when a lemur mistook a hand for food. The park allows feeding, which is controversial among conservationists, but the animals are well fed and monitored. If you want a more hands-off experience, ask your guide to keep the bananas at a distance and observe from a few meters away.

Chameleons, Tortoises, and Birds

The park claims to hold all chameleon species found in Madagascar, though that is a stretch — it has a representative collection, not a complete one. Guides know where to find them: look for the sleeping lizards on low branches during the day, when their colors fade to pale greens and browns. Tortoises roam a fenced enclosure near the picnic area, and endemic birds — couas, vangas, and herons — frequent the shoreline.

The island's botanical collection is less flashy but still worth a look. Orchids bloom in the wet season, and the eucalyptus and ravintsara trees planted in the early 2000s now provide shade for the paths. A small mini-farm with goats and chickens keeps children entertained, though it is modest compared to the lemur encounters.

Activities Beyond the Guided Walk

The standard visit is a one-hour guided loop, but you can extend your stay. The park offers hiking trails, a playground, and picnic areas. Pirogue (dugout canoe) rides on the lake can be arranged, and night walks are possible with advance notice — a chance to spot nocturnal lemurs and chameleons. The new restaurant serves Malagasy dishes, and the lakeside setting makes for a relaxed lunch.

If you have time, combine the park with a visit to the Jean Laborde museum in Mantasoa village. Laborde was a 19th-century French adventurer who built an industrial complex here, and the museum displays tools, weapons, and household items from that era. It is a 10-minute drive from the boat dock and adds historical context to the lake's artificial origins — the reservoir was created in the 1930s to power a hydroelectric plant.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to visit Nosy Soa Park?

Park entrance is 25,000 Ariary per person. The boat crossing is charged per boat, not per person — around 165,000 Ariary for a group of up to eight. Guide tips are discretionary but expected, typically 10,000 to 20,000 Ariary. Day tours from Antananarivo start at around €100 per person when booked with a group.

Can I visit Nosy Soa Park independently?

Yes, but it requires more effort. Drive or take a taxi-brousse to Mantasoa, negotiate a boat at the village dock, and pay the entrance fee on the island. The main challenge is the boat cost, which is hard to split if you are traveling alone. Most visitors find a packaged tour simpler and not much more expensive once transport is included.

Are the lemurs wild or captive?

The lemurs are free-roaming on the island but are fed by guides and habituated to human contact. They are not caged, but they are not fully wild either — the park manages their diet and health. This setup allows close encounters that would be impossible in a national park, where wildlife stays at a distance.

Is Nosy Soa Park suitable for children?

Yes, the flat paths and gentle lemurs make it a good stop for families. Children can feed the ring-tailed lemurs and see chameleons up close. The boat ride is short and generally calm. Keep an eye on younger children during lemur feeding, as the animals can be boisterous when competing for food.

What should I bring?

Bring cash for entrance fees and tips — there is no ATM on the island. Wear sturdy shoes for the dirt paths, and bring a light rain jacket if visiting between November and March. Sunscreen and a hat are essential, as shade is limited along the shoreline. If you plan to feed the lemurs, let the guide handle the bananas; the animals are quicker than they look.