Manafiafy Lodge

Manafiafy Lodge is a secluded tropical paradise with excellent wildlife viewing and miles of untouched beaches. There are no major tourism developments aside from the charming 5 bedroom Manafiafy Beach & Rainforest Lodge. This is where French colonists first landed in Madagascar in 1638 and life in the local fishing village has stayed very much the same over the centuries. The beautiful and wildlife abundant community managed forests are some of the last remaining stretches of coastal rainforest in southern Madagascar.

Manafiafy is also one of the best locations to see hump-back whales in Madagascar during the season (June – November). Bottle-nose dolphins can be spotted from the beach year-round. The Sainte-Luce peninsula is the starting point of a mangrove network spanning 40 km towards Fort Dauphin. The mangrove is intersected by rivers and lakes, with the dramatic peaks of the Anosy mountain range in the background.

Manafiafy Beach & Rainforest Lodge was opened in 2010 offering wildlife and culture together with beautiful beaches and sea activities. The lodge is located two hours north east of Ft Dauphin near the village of Manafiafy on a long private beach. With 4 spacious bungalows and a 2-room family bungalow the lodge offers beachfront luxury in a private, secluded bay. Each bungalow is nestled in the coastal forest, with a large private terrace, fully en-suite bathroom and panoramic glass windows for a magical view into the bay and forests. Sumptuous meals are served in the open air restaurant, on your private terrace or under the stars on the beach.

As well as day and night walks in the Coastal Rainforest, the lodge organizes boat activities such as whale watching, sport fishing, kayaking and snorkelling. The forests around Manafiafy are home to numerous species of lemurs, amphibians and reptiles as well as excellent birding, especially in the extensive mangrove and wetland eco-system.