Soleil des Tsingys

The main area is a vast open-plan dining room, bar and lounge beneath a soaring thatched roof, with wonderful views across the valley. A series of wide stone steps curves down to the wraparound terrace, which has a lovely infinity pool, plenty of space to soak up the sun, and a delightful outdoor dining area beneath the trees. Other facilities include a small curio shop and a children’s playground in the garden.

The spacious bungalows, set along the ridge, have cool interiors featuring a blend of natural timber, pale stone walls and rustic thatch. Vast four poster beds with mosquito nets face to the private terrace, and the décor is simple and understated, with soft corals and earthy tones creating a delightfully calm effect. Each bungalow has a sofa that can be converted into an extra bed if required, and a stone-walled en-suite bathroom with a huge walk-in shower and modern fittings.

Activities focus on exploring this surreal landscape of spiny canyons with razor-sharp pinnacles, vast stretches of indigenous forests, and the famous “Baobab Alley” – a stretch of arid scrub lined with a species of baobab tree found only in this part of Madagascar. Guided walks and game drives offer the chance to encounter some endemic wildlife, including 11 species of lemur, as well as other small primates and 100-plus bird species. Canoe the Manambolo River to view gorges and caves.