Masoala Forest Lodge

Location: Nestled in a sheltered cove, surrounded by the Masoala National Park, the lodge opens onto warm, coral-rich waters of the Tampolo Marine Reserve. Here beaches stretch for miles and the sounds of a forest teeming with life is so impressive. This eco lodge offers an intimate experience of rainforest and pristine beaches.

How to get here: You can reach the Masoala Forest Lodge from Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo Wednesdays and Sundays per charter flight to the small town of Maroantsetra, where you board the motorboat for the exciting voyage across Antongil Bay, a World Heritage Site and breeding ground for humpback whales.

Structure: Accessible only be foot or by boat, with a maximum capacity of just 14 guests, the lodge is a haven of tranquility. A 10 hectare private forest reserve makes up part of the lodge grounds. The seven palm thatched tree-houses are elevated on stilted wooden platforms, to provide uninterrupted views of forest canopy and sea and allowing to experience the forest from the perspective of the lemurs and birds. This elevation from the undergrowth is also luxurious and maximizes privacy and natural ventilation from all sides. The two communal areas known as ‘The Beach House’ and ‘The Sea Deck’ are also stilted, thatched and open-plan, providing natural lighting and ventilation in a minimalist and energy-efficient style. The sea deck is spectacularly sited on the rocks overhanging the sea, with wrap around views of the sea and forested coastline and the fish below.