
The Best New African Safari Lodges in 2017
These six beautiful lodges are finally opening their doors to guests
Welcome to Anjajavy, an idyllically remote nature reserve on Madagascar’s north-western coast. Perched on the very end of a spindly peninsula, the reserve is only accessible by air and getting there is anything but simple (is anything in Madagascar?!). Encompassing lush deciduous forests and floating mangroves, wild beaches and azure waters, Anjajavy is home to some of the island’s most fascinating wildlife. Look carefully, and you’ll spot no less than five species of lemur (including the Coquerel's sifaka), leaf-nosed bats and lumbering tortoises, bushpigs and chameleons. And after all that excitement, kick back and relax on a private beach and watch the pirogues drift into the sunset. There’s no reason not to fall in love with Anjajavy.
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On Madagascar's wild northwest coast lies a private peninsula where lemurs practically tap on your window for breakfast and the beaches remain footprint-free until you make the first mark of the day. Early morning walks reveal Coquerel's sifakas performing their sideways dance across open ground – a comical sight that never grows tiresome. Expert guides lead nocturnal expeditions to spot mouse lemurs with eyes that reflect torchlight like tiny diamonds. Paddle through mangrove labyrinths where kingfishers flash electric blue against the greenery, then snorkel in clear waters above coral gardens that few visitors ever see. The tsingy formations – razor-sharp limestone pinnacles – offer adventurous scrambling with rewarding views. In nearby villages, learn fishing techniques from Sakalava families, many of whom have never left the region. Ancient baobabs make ideal spots for watching the sunset, their massive trunks silhouetted against fiery skies.
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