•Paradise of pristine nature, bio-diversity and traditional culture•Comfort and privacy in the owner-managed exclusive eco-lodge with private forest reserve and beaches •Wide range of activities and meals of organic fresh local produce and seafood•An authentic experience - an interactive journey of information, education and inspiration Nestled in a cove of golden sand and blue water, at the meeting of rainforest and sea, a luxurious outpost awaits – The Masoala Forest Lodge. The handful of thatched tree-house bungalows is tucked into the forest at the water’s edge, each with a private beach access and uninterrupted views of forest and sea. Constructed with sustainably harvested local materials, each bungalow is raised 2-3 meters above the ground and contains a fully netted and screened canvas safari tent, with en-suite bathroom, hot water, palissandre furnishings and solar lighting.
My wife and I had an amazing 7 day stay at the Masoala Forest Lodge. We hope to return and would extend our trip to the 11 day stay. Every detail from coordination of travel in the air, on the water and on the ground was attended to. The location of the lodge with the surrounding primary forest and access to the Indian Ocean is as idyllic as it gets. The treehouse tents are comfortable, well maintained and luxuriously appointed with flushing toilets and on demand hot water for showering. We were very well fed. The meal offerings, were excellent, defined first by guests dietary restrictions, locally sourced, freshly prepared and very tasty. Our days were filled with activities of our choosing: sightseeing independently on the lodge property, snorkeling, walking with our guide in the forest day and night, in addition to kayaking on the ocean and mangrove river. We enjoyed massages and a sunset cruise, as well as a private dinner on the sea deck! Our trip was truly exceptional due to the knowledge and expertise offered by the local guides and the myriad number of tasks and work performed by the local staff. Pascal our guide provided us opportunities to explore and learn about the people in the local villages, in addition to sharing his large repertoire of bird and lemur calls leading to an unparalleled wildlife viewing experience. Amazing!
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Date of stay: November 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
One of the 20 hotels we stayed at on our trip. Accommodation is a tent on a raised platform set right on the beach. Inside the tent we had twin beds (our choice). At the back of the tent, outside of the zipped entrance, is a small veranda with a wardrobe before steps down to the lovely bathroom. A gas powered hot shower, flushing loo and lots of towels. Open to the outside at the top. At the front of the tent is another small veranda with a hammock and 2 chairs. Underneath is a table and beach chairs and a washing line. The food is excellent with a choice at breakfast and a set menu for lunch and dinner but they accommodate dietary restrictions well. Laundry, soft drinks, homemade rum are included in the price. We also had a 30 minute complimentary massage each. Lots of activities to chose from, most included in the price. We only did the extended walk to Masoala NP including a picnic lunch but probably better to just do the classic as you don’t see much more and we spent 2 hours just having a sandwich on the beach. We added 4 species of lemur to our list during our stay at Masoala and Mangabe which you automatically stop at on the way to the lodge. It’s not an easy place to get to. We had a 1hr45 flight on a 6 seater prop plane which was delayed for 4 hours due to bad weather (we did know about that before we left the hotel in Tana). We also had a couple of hours on a boat where even though they handed out raincoats we all got pretty wet. We did see breaching whales on the crossing though so worth a salty shower
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Maria Bester, Owner at Masoala Forest Lodge
Responded 03 Nov 2022
Dear Rachel and Andrew, Thank you for your review. We love that your profile pic is a memory of the trip - 2022 was an exceptional whale season. We haven't seen that many in years. We are very happy that you liked our food. Spoiled with wonderful ingredients like tropical fruit, seafood straight from the ocean (you probably saw the fisherman pulling in on the beach) and the organic spice growing near the lodge (vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, pepper), we love combining the local Malagasy kitchen with all-time favorites from around the world. Our kitchen manager Sam has put a lot of effort into creating our menus over the years and we are lucky to have wonderful cooks. I would like to add some information regarding the extended primary forest walk for the readers of this review: it is impossible to say beforehand if you will see more wildlife on the extended walk (7h) compared to the shorter one (4h) as every nature walk is different in terms of sightings but the likeliness of seeing more is high. We have guests repeating this trip during their stay because they enjoyed it a lot. For many travelers, the shorter walk (which is our standard) is the better choice as they prefer to return to camp for lunch. I recommend deciding at the lodge depending on the weather and on what you feel like doing that day with your time. If you choose the 4 h walk you will have time in the afternoon for another activity like snorkeling /kayaking/massage/beach/reading/swimming ect. A heads up for 2023 travelers: the program has changed. We will not stop at the island Nosy Mangabe on the way to the lodge. Instead, you will be transferred straight to camp, which will give you more time at the lodge overall. Thank you for mentioning the boat Rachel. It is true that you can get wet on the boat on the open end depending on sea conditions. Another piece of info for other readers: your luggage will be packed away and is 100% dry. The front of the boat has a cabin in which you stay dry. At the open end, you have better views (forest, whales). Rachel, you mentioned the flight and that you were informed beforehand of a delay due to the weather. I recommend to readers to provide us with an email address like Rachel did or let us know in which hotel you stay the day before so that we can contact you in this case. We do ask for both details when you make a reservation with us. Instead of leaving at 6 am Rachel's flight left at 10 am which she was informed about the afternoon before. Rachel and Andrew were therefore able to plan breakfast in the hotel and come to the check-in just 15 min before departure. There is no waiting time at the airport for the scheduled charter flights. One last piece of information on the rooms. Rachel chose a twin bed setup, as she mentioned and I would like to provide you with all options we offer: double (1 bed kingsized) single ( 1 bed kingsized) twin (2 single beds) family (1 bed king + single bed or bunkbed or babybed) Thank you very much for reading and feel free to contact us if you have questions. Thank you again Rachel for your review. it is very much appreciated! Greetings from Madagascar Maria
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We were staying in Masoala Forest Lodge for three nights in July 2022. We are mostly interested in nature photography and we wanted to focus on that during our visit to Masoala. It was taken into account in the activity recommendations/selections. The guide provided for us took this into account. Guide Elysee was awesome. His guidance was professional and helpful (even a helping hand was available on slippery stones in the rainforest).
Food was very delicious and our wishes were fully taken into account.
The entire staff was really friendly. The sunset sessions on the beach with the staff will be remembered for ever.
The experience was better than we could have ever imagined.
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Date of stay: July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This place is heaven on earth. These people have thought of everything to make life in the "bush" comfortable. The entire property is solar powered and equipped to provide just about anything you might want or need. Being at the edge of a rainforest, they even have a dehumificiation room to help dry your clothes and gear. Laundry is complementary and the food is amazing! When we were there only 4 guests were at the lodge, but sadly two of them had to leave for medical reasons, so we had the whole place to ourselves.
All the tents are raised above ground and are en suite with flush toilet and hot water showers. There are also hammocks on the "back porch" of the tent so you can relax and look out over the ocean and so some bird watching, if you can stay awake long enough.
One gets there by arranging a charter flight (the lodge arranges all of this for you once you make the reservation) and a private boat to the lodge.
I have never kayaked before, but the friendly staff at Masoala assured me that I would be fine. One of the staff joined me in the kayak and it was terrific....first time kayaking and in the Indian Ocean! The guides are exceptional, pointing out wildlife that I would never have seen both in daylight and during optional night walks. They also treated us to a sunset sail with adult beverages whcih included complementary rum infused with various herbs and spices - they have over 12 different kinds so be sure to sample all of them.
Want to know more about what goes on at the Masoala Forest Lodge? Check out the You Tube channel for Jesse Jordan, the Activities Director at the lodge.
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Date of stay: September 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Â They only take cash: dollars, Euros and Malagasy currency.
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Arrival by charter flight from Antananarivo and then by boat across the bay to the paradisiacal beach. We were warmly welcomed by the staff. The tree houses, with their own small beach, are clean and simply furnished with a sensational view of the water. Falling asleep and waking up to the sounds of the rainforest, what could be better? The guests' wishes are read from their eyes. Excellent and varied cuisine. Chapeau! Mindfulness and sustainability are lived here! Great guides and cool tours, be it in the rainforest or on the water. In the evening, campfire on the beach and good conversations with the guests and hosts. Time seems to stand still and you don't want to leave. Keep up the good work! We look forward to seeing you again.
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Date of stay: September 2023
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Masoala Forest Lodge! Just being at the lodge with the beach in front and the forest all around was such an incredible treat, and there were so many delights at every turn. Our guide Elysee was always finding treasures for us to enjoy, from sleeping kingfishers on the night walks, to geckos that blended into the bark of the tree, to resident chameleons and lemurs. The canoe ride on the river was stunning, and the kayaking along the shoreline and out to the Sacred Island was truly fantastic. Probably one of our most memorable experiences was the afternoon that the camp manager found us just lazing around and prompted us to kayak out and see the humpback mother and baby that were just offshore (we are very experienced kayakers). Not only were we able to spend time floating in the vicinity of the mother and baby on the ocean, they swam within a couple of feet of our kayaks as they headed out to sea. As if that was not wonderful enough, on our way back to shore we found ourselves in the middle of a group of 8 large humpbacks moving quickly on their way out to sea. Thrilling beyond words!
The food was very good, dietary preferences were easily accommodated, and we enjoyed the daily camaraderie of happy hour around the bonfire on the beach. Elysee was a wonderful guide and I highly recommend asking for him on your trip. Strongly recommend a stay here if you are going to Madagascar!
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
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Masoala Forest Lodge is a heaven on Earth providing the visitor a best vacation including nature, local culture and food, comfortable stay, excellent service and a feeling of freedom. The place is so beautiful surrounded of nature and animals on surface and under the water. The villas are clean and comfortable. The food is luxurious containing the freshest ingredients, it is super tasty and different every day. The guides are available for guests 24/7 and you are free to choose any activity to do or not to do ( sometimes all you need is just to lay on the beach and watch the ocean). The place provides a lot of activities to choose from and also equipment ( like kayaks, snorkel etc.) Everything you can think of is taken care by amazing stuff- you literally don’t have to think or worry about anything. You can ask any question, you hear a lot of stories, you gain a lot of knowledge and you get to know local people. Everyone in the lodge and surrounded villages is friendly and welcoming. We were staying in Masoala Forest Lodge for 10 days and enjoyed every moment there. It was a real vacation for two hard working people- a combination of rest in beautiful nature together with activities. We recommend the place and miss it every day…. Many thanks to everyone in the lodge for our amazing vacation.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My husband and I stayed here 7 years ago and loved it just as much this time, though the weather was less kind! Simple but comfortable tent which was right on the beach. The food was really excellent and care was taken with the various dietary requirements of our family. All our night walks were very successful and on our last one we saw an aye aye. The hike in the primary rainforest is a bit challenging (especially if it is actually raining!) and the red ruffed lemurs didn’t show themselves till the end but it was a unique experience. The lodge is in the perfect location to enjoy the rainforest but to be staying on the beach so able to enjoy swimming and kayaking, gorgeous sea view from the tent, main building and the breakfast deck on the rocks and get the sea breeze.
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have just finished my stay Masoala Forest Lodge and am already planning my next visit! From the moment you arrive at the lodge the hospitality is amazing: the rooms are very clean; the food is fantastic; and the staff are super friendly. There is also no lack of activities at the lodge and so my mornings were often filled snorkelling, kayaking, swimming, and hiking in the forest. My evenings were then spent reading, eating good food and indulging in conversation around the beach bonfires. All in all, Masoala Forest Lodge is a fantastic stay and I would recommend it to anyone from adventure lovers to comfort lovers.
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Date of stay: December 2022
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Masoala Forest Lodge is a real insider tip for all those who are looking for a stay close to nature and yet do not want to do without a certain level of comfort and luxury.
The tree-houses are nestled in the coastal forest and offer amazing views on the ocean. It’s just a dream to wake up to this view!
The lodge team is extremely courteous, super committed and puts together a highly individualized itinerary each day, be it an excursion into the primary forest, a kayak tour, a visit to the village or a relaxing massage. They also have snorkeling equipment - which is definitely a highlight activity.
You can get really close to nature here! At one night a curious little Sportive Lemur visited us at the Beach House and another day a Tenrec strolled along the campsite. So every day is a beautiful adventure. The lodge's experienced private guides know everything about the local flora and fauna and are eager to share their knowledge about the truly fascinating wildlife.
Oh and the food is excellent, all ingredients come from the region and the dishes are prepared with a lot of love. At some evenings you can watch the local fishermen presenting their catch of the day to the chef. Super cool! The fresh juices and delicious cocktails at the bar were another highlight for me.
At the Beach House or around the campfire, you can easily make contact with the other guests - if you wish. There is a wonderfully open, warm atmosphere! I had a very hard time leaving this beautiful place.
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Date of stay: September 2024
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Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello,
Joanne and I are in contact by email now.
I anyhow want to publicly answer this, in case others might be wondering about the options too.
Masoala Forest Lodge offers scheduled charter flights from Antananarivo every Wednesday and Sunday. Our packages are designed to fit these flights.
We also arrange charter flights to/from other destinations, e.g. Nosy be, Diego, Anjajavy, St.Marie. Prices vary depended on destination, availability and number of passengers.
Please contact us per email/ through our website to request a quote.
Kind regards,
Maria
Dear Jackie,
Thank you for your message on Trip Advisor and your email via our website. We have sent you an email with booking informations and prices. Please confirm that you have received it and let us know if you have any questions.
Kind regards, Maria
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa1 contribution
Dear Frank. We apologize for missing your message. Please contact us on our website or call us on 00 261 320541586 and we will be able to assist with all your questions without further delay. Best regards, Pierre
There are more places to choose from in the Tampolo area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
masoala forest hotel tampolo
LOCATION
MadagascarToamasina ProvinceTampolo
NUMBER OF ROOMS
7
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