Vakona Forest Lodge is by far the smartest of several small lodges servicing the popular Andasibe National Park, which protects a vast area of mid-altitude rain forest and several species of endemic lemur. It has a isolated location set around an artificial lake about 6 km from Andasibe village and the main park entrance, and consists of several small units scattered around pretty wooded grounds, giving it a strong open-air feel.
The main reception area consists of a tall octagonal building centered on an open fireplace. The restaurant/bar, which serves tasty but unpretentious Franco-Malagasy fare, is housed in the same building, and leads to a stilted balcony overlooking the lake, which attracts an interesting selection of birds. Other on-site facilities include a pool, squash court, billiard table, table tennis, gift shop and TV lounge.
The main attraction of the lodge is that it's a good base for guided walks in nearby Andasibe National Park. This is the best place in the world to see the indri, a large pandalike lemur known for its eerie whalelike calls. Various other lemur species are present, and night walks offer the opportunity to see a variety of colorful frogs and peculiar chameleons. In addition, the lodge maintains a small island sanctuary for ruffed and diademed lemurs rescued from captivity, as well as a crocodile farm and zoo, and horse-riding excursions are offered.
Accommodations are spaced out in a few rows of semidetached tiled bungalows centered on a small artificial lake and connected by a network of wooden walkways. The rooms are very comfortable and clean, with a parquet floor, twin or double bed protected by mosquito netting, a balcony with wooden chairs and table, spacious bath with hot 
shower, and facilities such a safe, minibar, hair dryer, telephone and bedside tables with lamps.
Until recently, Madagascar's national parks were served by blatantly substandard accommodations, but this is changing quickly, and Vakona Forest Lodge is the forerunner in a new breed of lodges that will appeal to all but the fussiest of travelers (who are probably unsuited to Madagascar in the first place). It's easily the best of the four smarter lodges in the Andasibe area, with comfort level, facilities and overall aesthetics that compare favorably to the best midrange accommodations in more developed African destinations such as South Africa and Kenya.
