Description
Located near the Southern tip of Madagascar, Manafiafy Beach and Rainforest Lodge offers superb accommodation and a chance to explore the area, including mangroves, lemur forests and the wild south coast.
You will land in the seaside town of Fort Dauphin where you will be met and taken by road to the Lodge, a drive of approximately two hours which passes through little fishing villages and lush, grassland landscapes as the road wends its way to the coast.
Manafiafy Lodge is stunningly situated mere yards from a pristine beach bordered by lush forest, and with waves crashing on the shore. The lodge has two beaches, and between the two there is a viewpoint from large granite rocks (perfect for sundowners!) stretching out into the sea.
The main area is designed very much in the style of an African lodge, all from natural materials including the ravinala thatch, and using local craftsmen. It has a high thatched ceiling, a bar and dining area, and a wonderful sunken fire pit, perfect for those brisk June nights. Outside there is a deck area overlooking a lawn which leads down to the beach. The lodge is very proud of its eco-tourism principles, and uses just solar power for its electricity and hot water, while sourcing many of its supplies locally – including delicious fresh fish!
There are six chalets nestled into the forest and overlooking the beach, all en-suite with superb bathrooms and showers. The rooms are spacious and slightly quirkily designed with enormous windows and sliding doors at the front leading to a terrace with plenty of sun loungers, a shower and a hammock. Meals are able to be organised on the terrace for those who would like a private dinner. There is a family chalet with a separate sitting area, enormous deck and two en-suite bedrooms – one double and one triple.
The food at the lodge is superb – freshly caught fish and shellfish including crab, lobster and oysters are often served, along with a delicious selection of salads and excellent, freshly baked bread. Breakfasts are a treat with warm, fresh pastries and a large selection of fresh fruit – accompanied by freshly squeezed juice of the season, a real treat!
The lodge offers a large variety of activities for guests. Swimming and snorkelling in the sheltered bay is recommended, as well as day and night walks in the rainforest to spot lemurs and birds. During the whale-watching season (July to November) the lodge employs a fast speedboat to take guests out to see them – towards the end of the season the whales become very active with superb sightings as they teach their young to breach.
The lodge also has a selection of canoes and a larger boat for super trips into the mangroves for birdwatching – this is really special with beautiful views of the ubiquitous Traveller’s Palm and lush, green forest. Sunbirds and kingfishers can often be seen, along with larger water birds such as a variety of heron species. A highlight of the mangrove trip is a short walk across to a beautiful, wild, deserted beach. On our walk through we stopped at a sign from our guide, crouched down, and a tiny baby tenrec (Madagascan spiny hedgehog) came right up to us, sniffed, turned tail and scampered off into the bush!
Guests can also visit the local school, village and market on a guided walk.
Accommodation
5 cottages and 1 family cottage
When to travel
Any time of year is fine for a visit except from January to March, when heavy rainfall in many areas can make some roads all but impassable, and when there’s a high risk of cyclones in the east and northeast. In general, the best time to travel in most areas is April and October/November. The coolest time to travel anywhere is during the dry season (May to October).
Average maximum temperatures vary from about 30°C in coastal areas (higher in summer) to around 25°C on the hauts plateaux. In Antananarivo and other highland areas, temperatures during winter can drop to 10°C and even lower during the night.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best time to visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
Not applicable
Location and directions
Southern Madagascar, Madagascar
Manafiafy Beach & Rainforest Lodge is in a tranquil setting on the South East Coast of Madagascar. The lodge is a two and a half hour drive from Fort Dauphin in the village of Manafiafy.
How to get there
13 hour international flight (one stop) to Antananarivo Airport. From Antananarivo, it's a 1 hour flight to Fort Dauphin. The lodge is a 2.5 hour drive from Fort Dauphin.
