Anakao Ocean Lodge

The Beachfront Standard Bungalows are situated under 100m from the seafront, with private terraces that are perfect for enjoying a sundowner and watching the sunset over the sea. The bungalows themselves are bright, with large windows that offer panoramic views and white walls which give the space an airy feel. The furnishings are hand-carved from rosewood, and the parquet flooring has been sanded in the traditional Malagasy way, by hand using coconut shells.

The bungalows comprise a comfortable living area with a sofa and coffee table, a king-size bed dressed in white linens and a spacious bathroom with a wet-room style shower down the hall. The Beachfront Standard Bungalows can accommodate 2 adults and 1 child, or 3 adults when the sofa is converted into a bed.

Hot desalinated water is available all day and the power is provided by a solar power system.

Built on stilts, the Family Bungalows offer spacious respite set across a ground floor and mezzanine bedroom area. The stone bungalows are accessed by steps up to the front terrace, with banisters created from repurposed driftwood. The ground floor comprises a living area which houses a double bed, a desk and a curving rosewood staircase which leads up to the mezzanine with two twin beds, ideal for children.

The bungalows are bright, with large windows which offer views over the sea, and white walls and soft furnishings which contrast the rosewood parquet flooring and furniture creating a cosy depth to the interior. The tiled wet-room style bathroom comprises a shower and sink unit, and a porthole window which provides both light and privacy.

The Family Bungalows can accommodate up to 2 adults and 2 children.

The Suite Madagascar is larger than the other bungalows, with a more spacious living area that houses a rosewood coffee table and a comfortable sofa which can be folded out into a twin bed to accommodate another guest. Similarly appointed to the other bungalows, Suite Madagascar is light and airy, with large windows that offer views over the beach and sea beyond. The hand-carved rosewood furniture, including chairs and the bed frame, provides rich aesthetic contrast to the white walls and soft furnishings. The rosewood parquet flooring has been hand sanded in the traditional Malagasy way, with coconut shells.

The Suite Madagascar has a tiled wet-room style bathroom, with a shower and floating sink unit.

The bungalow is accessed via sliding glass doors which open out onto the wrap-around veranda, furnished with rosewood loungers where guests can enjoy idyllic views over the azure waters.

Suite Madagascar can accommodate 3 adults or 2 adults and one child.

The restaurant at Anakao Ocean Lodge is both the metaphorical and physical heart of the lodge, situated in pride of place in the centre of the lodge, the restaurant offers a fusion of traditional Malagasy cuisine with French and Italian influences. All the ingredients are locally sourced, with fishing and seafood being traded for with the local fisherman.

Breakfast options include a continental buffet with tropical fruits and freshly baked pastries, or choose from a selection of a la carte dishes. Lunch and dinner have three-course a la carte menus that rotate regularly, showcasing the freshest ingredients and catch of the day.

One of Madagascar’s most unusual national parks, Tsimanampetsotsa is home to a milky blue saline lake populated by wading birds, including pink and dwarf flamingoes. The limestone escarpment is home to a rare paychypodium-dominated spiny forest which has adapted to the region’s arid environment.

Tsimanampetsotsa is filled with incredible endemic flora and fauna, including 2000-year-old, squat baobabs and ficus tree groves whose roots extend into the sinkhole waterways which ring-tailed lemurs use to access drinking water. With 90% of all resident species endemic to the park, Tsimanampetsotsa has the highest endemicity of any reserve on the island.

One species of fish is found here in the limestone cave river system which runs under the desert and spiny bush. It is a small, pink-white blind cavefish which feeds on plankton, crustaceans, and insects. There are rare avian endemics, three species of lemur including the ring-tailed, the rare radiated tortoise and the recently discovered, locally endemic Grandidier’s mongoose, which was first described in 1986.

Each year, from June to September, Humpback whales migrate to the warm waters off the coast of Madagascar. On clear, still days, they play in the water of the Mozambique Channel. Visitors can watch from the shore, or book a spot on one of the boats which offers knowledgeable guides to answer any questions about the pods of whales.

Visitors who are members of an accredited diving organisation can book their dives through Anakao Ocean Lodge, though booking in advance is recommended for prime slots! New or less experienced divers can also book a guide or teacher to help with any questions or equipment. Anakao Lodge has a diving gear rental, including wetsuits for colder days.

Situated just 10 minutes off the coast from Anakao Ocean Lodge, the islands of Nosy Ve and Nosy Satrana boast white-sand beaches and azure waters. The islands are surrounded by vast coral reefs which is home to a spectacular array of diverse marine life. These trips can be booked as part of a diving expedition, or as a standalone for those who just want to explore the island and spend a while on the beautiful water.