Ankarana Lodge

The main area of the hotel is a small, open-sided stone building; simple and comfortable, and close to the swimming pool, which is perfect for cooling down in the hot afternoons. A restaurant built on a rocky plateau serves Malagasy specialities. You will be hard-pressed to find other decent accommodation options in the area, so don't be put off by the price. Realise you are in a remote area, make do without the WiFi or credit card facilities, and get in touch with your natural side.

Quaint, stone structures with cool tiled flooring and basic beds with mosquito nets is everything you need for a laid-back stay. Eight of the rooms are built as bungalows, while another three are standard rooms inside the main guesthouse, and there is one family apartment. All rooms have private bathrooms, and air-conditioners, but these only work in the evening when the generator is operational. All other electricity needs are provided for full-time, via solar and wind energy.

Ankarana has its own small private park called Gondwana, where you can explore some of the 'tsingy' (strange rock formations) as a starting point. However, as the lodge is right on the border of the Ankarana National Park, this is generally where you will spend your days. Hire a guide to take you into the Reserve where you can spot lemurs, chameleons, birds, frogs and other endemic species. Excursions can also be arranged with the lodge's travel company, taking you to other Northern areas of Madagascar.