Manafiafy Beach and Rainforest Lodge

Manafiafy Beach and Rainforest Lodge is a small and intimate accommodation, featuring just five bungalows, all with private wooden terraces that offer incredible views of the bay and ocean. The bungalows stand along the edge of the treeline, blending in with the forest while facing out over the coast. Built from local wood, thatch and stone, each accommodation features a huge super-king-size bed, an additional single bed, en-suite facilities, indoor and outdoor seating areas and sun loungers pointed at the Indian Ocean. 270-degree windows allow for plenty of natural light, and the bungalows have 24-hour solar electricity. Lounge on your private terrace from the comfort of a relaxing hammock and enjoy stunning natural views and the sounds of the birds in this comfortable and homely space.

One of the five bungalows is a family villa, featuring the same comforts as the other four bungalows as well as an additional bedroom with three single beds.

Guests at Manafiafy Beach and Rainforest Lodge can look forward to three delicious meals each day. Start off the morning with a scrumptious breakfast buffet, featuring fresh fruit, light croissants, pain au chocolat, various cereals, and eggs. Guests can choose to either enjoy their morning meal in the comfortable dining area, or out on the terrace with a shimmering ocean backdrop. Lunch times are flexible, and guests can indulge in a revitalising meal between the day’s activities, before a fine three-course dinner in the evenings. Sample delicious local delicacies including freshly caught fish and traditional creations, all prepared using high-quality ingredients by the lodge’s expert chefs and paired with an exquisite wine or beverage.

Explore the mangrove forest and luscious rainforest with a gentle stroll under a canopy of dense green leaves. Guests can enjoy walks through the forest throughout the day, and even at night in this dangerous-predator-free region of Madagascar. Try to spot the brown, woolly and mouse lemurs, the three most common species of lemurs in the area, and search for flying fox bats as they search for fruit adjacent to the mangroves. Guests can also keep an eye out for chameleons, and see if they can spot these masters of camouflage in the dense greenery.

Wander along the Manafiafy Trail, passing the beautiful forest, and visit the whale-watching tower. Here, guests can scan the waters for dolphins, southern right whales and humpback whales., as well as take in the tranquil scenery of the Sainte Luce area.

Lose yourself in the beautiful mangrove network, which stretches 50km, almost reaching Fort Dauphin. Here, bird watchers can find an array of amazing endemic species including the Madagascar heron, Madagascar teal, Madagascar plover, Madagascar fish eagle, and the Madagascar kingfisher. Additionally, migratory birds including egrets, plovers, and the African spoonbill can be sighted here. Madagascar’s mangrove biomes serve an important role for biodiversity, supporting endemic tree species and sheltering molluscs and crustaceans, as well as protecting coral reefs and seagrass beds by capturing sediment. Guests can choose to view the mangroves by motorboat or kayak.

Sat atop the rock peninsula and watch the sun dip beyond the edge of the horizon with a refreshing drink from the lodge’s bar. Guests can enjoy sundowners with the impressive backdrop of the Anosy Mountains, as the final rays of daylight disappear behind the sloping peaks. This is a spectacular opportunity for photography enthusiasts to capture stunning images.

Manafiafy Beach and Rainforest Lodge is a Madagascar Classic Collection accommodation. Madagascar Classic Collection offers support to community projects in the areas in which they operate, helping local schools, rebuilding vital roads and protecting the incredible natural forests through community levies and fees. This helps to preserve the environment and protect the local traditions, culture and way of life.

90% of Madagascar Classic Collection’s employees are Malagasy, and the company strives to ensure local people are given vital training and development opportunities so that they can take up management positions. This means that local people are more likely to find work and are not forced to move away from their homes for employment.

Both of Madagascar Classic Collection’s accommodations, Manafiafy Beach and Rainforest Lodge and Mandrare River Camp, are fully powered by clean and renewable energy. All electricity and hot water are provided by solar power, reducing both accommodation’s carbon footprint and not contributing to the deforestation in Madagascar.