I really can’t sing enough praises for Masoala Forest Lodge- everything was spot on and a true inspiration! Since it was my 2nd time to Madagascar, I wanted to focus on one pristine area for wildlife encounters and natural beauty/scenery, and there is probably no better combination in Madagascar, particularly given the low numbers of tourists you don’t have to maneuver around with. Masoala Peninsula is unique with rainforest abutting against the coast, allowing for a diverse array of wildlife and activities.
I was so fortunate to soak up this environment and eco-lodge for 11 nights and I really cannot imagine spending less than 1 week here. Give yourself time, because the rainforest has its own language and your body will seep into the natural rhythm of the surrounding environment and you will come out feeling AMAZING afterwards! There is SO much to do and you also want to give yourself a window of time to do certain things on the best weather days when possible, and a week is more likely to offer that flexibility.
The tree-house cabins are tastefully and functionally designed (without compromising comfort!) and I loved sleeping on the 2nd story at bird and lemur level. Bonus is that you fall asleep to both forest sounds AND the lapping of ocean waves on the beaches. There are SO many activities to choose from with Masoala Forest Lodge, and I usually had the weather and my guide’s...I really can’t sing enough praises for Masoala Forest Lodge- everything was spot on and a true inspiration! Since it was my 2nd time to Madagascar, I wanted to focus on one pristine area for wildlife encounters and natural beauty/scenery, and there is probably no better combination in Madagascar, particularly given the low numbers of tourists you don’t have to maneuver around with. Masoala Peninsula is unique with rainforest abutting against the coast, allowing for a diverse array of wildlife and activities.
I was so fortunate to soak up this environment and eco-lodge for 11 nights and I really cannot imagine spending less than 1 week here. Give yourself time, because the rainforest has its own language and your body will seep into the natural rhythm of the surrounding environment and you will come out feeling AMAZING afterwards! There is SO much to do and you also want to give yourself a window of time to do certain things on the best weather days when possible, and a week is more likely to offer that flexibility.
The tree-house cabins are tastefully and functionally designed (without compromising comfort!) and I loved sleeping on the 2nd story at bird and lemur level. Bonus is that you fall asleep to both forest sounds AND the lapping of ocean waves on the beaches. There are SO many activities to choose from with Masoala Forest Lodge, and I usually had the weather and my guide’s recommendations dictate our schedule. Allow yourself to slow down and be patient in order to spot the wildlife (guides are incredible and sometimes that requires stopping to just listen and pick up clues). You don’t even have to go too far to spot some great wildlife, as MFL has incredible walks on their premises! Lemurs were the focus of my trip, so I also took advantage of the evening walks 10 out of the 11 nights to maximize my chances of seeing the nocturnal species. But we witnessed so many incredibly creatures and phenomena by seizing as many opportunities as possible. I also recommend looking for the shy Bamboo lemurs just after cabin #7 around dusk and dawn. I was lucky to be with them 7 different times on this trip, and it was really special due to how timid they typically are. I saw a total of 8 species of lemurs on this trip out of the 10 in the area (did not see Aye Aye or Masoala Fort-marked lemur), and many of them included close-up encounters. Birders will also have a fulfilling trip!
My guide, Ursula, was fantastic! She was incredibly personable with a fabulous combination of having keen eyes and stellar instinct. Ursula is also truly passionate about the wildlife herself, and described how much she misses the primary forest when she’s on off-days. The best part was the fact that the majority of our wildlife encounters were shared just between the 2 of us, which is such a contrast to my first trip to Madagascar on the “classic” route including Andasibe and national parks in the SW. My favorite excursions were the primary forest and all day boat trip to an incredibly healthy coral reef, followed by a long coastal walk back to the lodge crossing countless streams and passing through a quaint village. The sunset piroque sail is spectacular, as is the Tampolo River boat trip just before sunset.
As a wildlife conservationist by career, I’ve lived/worked in many “destinations” where nature-based tourism is one of, if not THE predominant economic driver, so I’ve seen the full spectrum of how tourism can operate in such places. Masoala Forest Lodge is doing a fabulous job and is truly integrated into the local community and culture. While it’s not cheap to fly to and stay at such a remote and pristine eco-lodge, it is heart-warming to see how much MFL truly contributes to the communities and conservation. I applaud the conservation work they are doing in a country with such tricky and complex dynamics (not to mention corruption)- what they are achieving is also a testament to their true dedication and perseverance. They are a very positive example of nature-based tourism done properly and it’s unfortunate that this is so rare to come across in the realm of tourism.
They source as much as they can locally, while still offering very gourmet and beautifully composed meals. I’m vegetarian (mostly vegan at home but more flexible when traveling) and LOVED the diversity and freshness of menu and the option to taste local food dishes, presented beautifully.
I traveled on my own as a recent widow, and most of the other guests were couples. I was so grateful for the wonderful hosting of Sam and Maria- they strike the perfect balance of professionalism, being helpful and also making you feel at home with their genuine warmth and generosity. You can choose to be more private or social, with opportunities for sunset tea/coffee time on the gorgeous sea deck, and evening beach bonfires to rehash the day with the others and star gaze before dinner. I won’t ruin the surprise, but Friday nights make for a very memorable experience!
Experiencing the paradise of Masoala Peninsula was a dream come true and Masoala Forest Lodge sticks out as one of my life’s travel highlights. It’s exciting to hear they are opening up a camp at Cap Masoala and I truly hope to return there with friends or family in the future.More
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