Berenty Lodge

In a sea of sisal plantations on the banks of the wide Mandrare River, the rustic, family-owned and run Berenty Lodge at one of Madagascar’s oldest – and the island’s most famed – protected areas. Wildlife is prolific in the grounds, from where a network of broad trails leads into tamarind woods or to a small parcel of fascinating spiny bush. Because the road from Fort Dauphin to Berenty is rough, we recommend taking an inflatable airline neck pillow with which to cushion the spine during the bumpy four-hour drive.

The accommodation consists of simple but spacious (in the case of the newer rooms) en-suite bungalows. Furnishing is simple but comfortable and the showers particularly large. From the open-air restaurant, wildlife viewing is effortless – in fact, guests may have to shoo cheeky ringtail lemurs off the tables lest they steal your food. Since 2016, reviews about the food and service in the restaurant have been positive, with dinners being highly praised. Electricity is now provided 24/7 and some of the new rooms have air-conditioning.

The resident lemurs are well habituated, enabling guests to enjoy spending time with them up-close and of course, getting top-notch photos! The main activities at Berenty Lodge are focused around the Berenty Private Reserve and include easy walking in the dense woods where you can see all sorts of wildlife. There is also the option of visiting a local cultural museum and a sisal factory.