Some of my favorite lemur pictures

Madagascar, the world's fourth largest island, is located in the Indian Ocean 250 miles off the southeastern coast of Africa. At 226,658 square miles in size, Madagascar and the tiny Comoro Islands to its north provide the world's only present-day native habitat to lemurs.

It's suggested that lemurs made their way to Madagascar from the larger African continent millions of years ago and have since adapted and evolved into the diverse number of species we see today.

The climate of Madagascar is tropical, with a rainy season lasting from December until April and a dry season from May to November. The island's terrain is extremely diverse, ranging from coastal beaches and lagoons to mountains, rivers, grasslands, and desert. Many of Madagascar's plant and animal species are found nowhere else in the world; the island's biology is even more diverse than its geography.

In the past much of the island was covered by forest, but the majority of it — up to 80% — has been destroyed, largely for economic reasons such as logging and crop cultivation. The Malagasy people often carve out a subsistence living on a per capita income equal to US$200 per year, so on an individual level getting by often seems more important than preserving the environment.

On separate occasions I have been able to go to VAKONA - a lodge near the Andasibe rainforest about 3 to 4 hours to the East, outside of the Capital city, Antananarivo.

Within walking distance there is a lemur reserve amongst a secondary forrest on a series of little islands you can get to by canoe with a guide. This reserve area and employees care for abused or neglected lemurs of all variety.

Here are a few that I have been able to interact with directly. What an incredible time, having them crawl on me, hold onto my hair, beg for bananas and jump from person to person...

Once in a lifetime!

VAKONA FOREST LODGE

Situated in an eucalyptus plantation, 7kms away from the Périnet National Park entrance, Vakona Forest Lodge is considered one of the most comfortable hotels in this area.

The individual bungalows are thoughtfully scattered throughout the grounds, and boast generous space, with a good bathroom, electric heaters, mini bar and safe.

Various activities are on offer for guests including horse riding, squash, mountain biking and the use of the hotels' swimming pool.

Vakona Forest Lodge is also highly complimented for the very good cuisine that it serves up in its restaurant. A mixture of cuisines are on offer and can be enjoyed in comfort by the restaurants' huge fireplace.

The lodge is the perfect base to explore the nearby Andasibe/Perinet National Park. Accompanied by personal drivers and a local guide, guests can explore this famous reserve on foot, during the night or day, and at thier own pace.

Perinet National Park is renowned for its variety of diurnal and nocturnal species, and is probably best known for the Indri Indri lemur – the largest member of the lemur family.

Vakona Forest Lodge is situated 140km from the capital, 1km from Andasibe and 6km from the main road of the island, which makes it easily accessible by 4x4 or bush taxi.