Anjajavy le Lodge

Accessible only by means of light aircraft transfers, Madagascar’s sole Relais & Chateaux property is on a remote, beautiful peninsula 120km north of Majunga, on the northwest coast of Madagascar. The surroundings include white sand coves bordered by turquoise waters, healthy mangroves and an extensive tropical dry deciduous forest.

24 air-conditioned, two-storey thatched rosewood villas are equipped with a double bed, sitting area, bathroom (bath and shower and separate loo). Upstairs is another room with two single beds. Amenities include tea/coffee facilities, fridge and safe. French windows open onto a large veranda from which you can watch for wildlife or savour views of the Mozambique Channel from a hammock. The main building has an airy lounge, bar and billiards table, television room and restaurant. Meals are also taken outside on the deck. There is a large pool with the beach and sea beyond. The pool has a sun-deck, sun-beds and parasols. Deck-chairs and shades are provided at discrete intervals along the main beach.

The marina is a short walk from the lodge and water-sports activities are carried out on a separate beach. Guided day and night walks, various non-motorised activities and visits to nearby villages where the lodge has been responsible for funding educational programmes, creating drinking water supplies and establishing clinics, are all included in the rates. The lodge’s social responsibility record is commendable: it works with the NGO Ecoles du Monde, of which the community-related initiatives aim to promote sustainable development at four nearby villages. This is achieved in part by developing micro-businesses of which residents are the main stakeholders. Other projects focus on fishing (purchasing of lakana or canoes; nets and fish-drying equipment), agriculture (buying grain and fertiliser, livestock and assistance with beekeeping), handicrafts, shops and marine transportation (purchasing dhows to enable villagers to trade with Mahajanga port). All projects are funded by the lodge and by donations from guests. The lodge has always actively contributed towards slowing of deforestation and controlling forest fires.