Berenty Lodge

After a long and scenic journey, you'll enter Berenty Private Reserve and soon arrive at this small, rustic lodge. The decor includes plenty of light wood furniture, baobab motifs on the walls, and colourfully-patterned (and very comfy) armchairs, from which you can survey the gardens for passing wildlife. The restaurant serves an array of tasty dishes, often enjoyed on the terrace, where you may just have to coax ringtail lemurs off the tables.

Berenty Lodge has a collection of standard rooms and bungalows, each styled with an earthy touch including lots of wood and 'tree trunk' vanity counters. All rooms have a small sitting area and conjoined twin beds protected by light mosquito nets, whilst the newest also enjoy air-con (request one of these if air-con is a must). The en-suite bathrooms are well-appointed in neutral tones with a walk-in shower, closet space and all the amenities you could need.

Morning, noon and night, there are walking trails to explore, where you can spot Madagascar's famous wildlife. Potential sightings include an array of lemurs (golden bamboo, Verreaux's sifaka and the nocturnal mouse lemur to name a few), keen-eyed fossas, flying foxes, chameleons, giraffe-necked weevils, and a dazzling variety of birds. With such little light pollution, the stargazing is incredible, making a night walk even more tempting. You could also pay a visit to the Antandroy Tribal Museum to learn about the area's peoples.