Best hotels in Madagascar

Nestled amongst the coconut palms on the main beach in Morondava, Palissandre's view is straight out of a painting with white sails billowing in the bay and endless ocean before it. Whilst here, you'll call a bright, thatched bungalow home and spend many happy hours watching the surf roll in. While relaxation comes very easily, there's plenty of exploring to do as well. Take a cruise into the bay, or make the pilgrimage to the Avenue of the Baobabs, a must for photographers and anyone with an appreciation for nature at its most striking.

Life flourishes on Nosy Ankao, an exotic private island 3.5km off Madagascar’s northeastern tip. The island, with its aquamarine bays, pearl-white sandy beaches and winding waterways, forms part of a private five-island archipelago - a 15 000-hectare marine reserve. Fourteen palatial villas are strung along the pristine tropical shoreline. Not only do you get the best of an ultra-luxurious beach lodge experience, with warm waters teeming with colourful marine life, but also a bit of a bush experience with the likes of lemur trekking and turtles nesting on the island’s beaches.

In a clandestine cove (it's only accessible by boat!) on the north-eastern coast of Madagascar, Masoala Forest Lodge is the beach escape you've been dreaming of. Smack-bang in between a private rainforest reserve and the sparkling Indian Ocean, Masoala is as suitable for doing absolutely nothing as it is for days filled with snorkelling, hikes, and whale watching pirogue trips. The former takes place in the waiting hammock on your private deck or a sunny spot on the sand - and always with something chilled in hand. In the evenings, be sure to keep an eye out for the aye-ayes who often wander into camp.

Mandrare River Camp is tucked away in an isolated spot in Madagascar’s picturesque south. This part of the island is characterised by bizarre landscapes of dense riverine forests, spiny deserts and open plains studded with giant baobabs. In the middle of it all, the six East African-style safari tents of Mandrare are set along the river beneath shady tamarind trees. There's a strong focus on culture and community here, as well as nature - you'll wake to the sounds of the local Antandroy tribe singing in the forest and have the opportunity to visit the village during the day too.

Tucked away in the wilds of north-western Madagascar, Namoroka National Park is one of the island's most unexplored and biodiverse regions. The park spans six ecosystems, including over 100 kilometres of caves (among Africa's largest collection) and miles and miles of otherworldly tsingy (the island's iconic limestone formations). Set just outside of the park itself, Namoroka Tsingy Camp is the only accommodation in the area, making for a secluded and totally exclusive experience. The luxury tents have everything you need, whilst also retaining a genuine closeness with the wild. The camp also places the protection and study of the park's unique and fascinating flora and fauna at the forefront and the focus on conservation is top notch.

Traveling throughout Madagascar is both awe-inspiring and very hard work, so a few days in a serene lodge on a tropical island is just the ticket as a transition between your adventure and your homeward journey. And Tsara Komba Lodge is the perfect wind-down destination. Sited on a forested mountain slope, facing the warm ocean and run by superb French hosts Xavier and Lucie, the lodge welcomes you with open arms. The thatched chalets are stylish, minimalist and ooze comfort, the food is very good, the views reach to infinity and you're encouraged to do exactly as you wish.