Nosy Ankao
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.
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It may be an uninhabited island with a 'castaway' feel, but the main lodge truly is a magnificent 21st century sanctuary. Enjoy a cold beverage at the outdoor bar before taking a dip in the sparkling swimming pool or enjoy a cuppa in the peaceful french garden. Some of the world’s finest vintages can be sampled in the wine cellar or seek out some of the island’s most peculiar finds in the “chamber of curiosities”.
The 14 heavenly villas are scattered along the western beachfront (imagine the Indian Ocean sunsets) and you can choose from a one, two or three-bedroomed luxury abode. The lodge is only a few years old, so expect your villa to be shiny and fresh. The indoor and outdoor living spaces are modern with a low-impact, high style design. All the villas have clean lines and contemporary facilities that match their natural environment.
Pristine reefs present superb snorkelling and diving opportunities (very different from any mainland experience), whale and dolphin watching and fly-fishing. For adventure junkies, there’s also jet skiing, kite surfing and deep-sea fishing. With expert guides you can trek the area’s many rare and endangered species from lemurs to turtles. For those who want to get their nose in a book, pick your palm tree and watch the world go by. Or enjoy a bit of lovely pampering at Miavana’s world-class spa.
Chinzombo and North Island architects, Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens, hand-crafted the heavenly villas. Expect the best of the best.
The conservation-minded will be pleased to know that Time+Tide support efforts to reduce net-fishing in the area, as well as monitor wildlife movements, including the four species of turtle that nest here.
Just because it’s one of the most luxurious lodges on the continent doesn’t mean the Wifi works…
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Wild, exotic and completely off the radar until a few years ago, Nosy Ankao has to be seen to be believed.
