Madagascar’s only Relais & Chateaux property, Anjajavy is predictably the country’s finest. It is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty on a remote peninsula in northwest Madagascar and is a highlight to anyone's stay.
With access limited only to planes, Anjajavy is truly a far flung destination ideally suited to those seeking a peaceful and remote holiday. Pristine beaches, untouched waters and fascinating forests await you.
Twenty-five rosewood villas comprise a large, downstairs, queen-bedded bedroom / living room, a huge bathroom and an upstairs children’s room. French windows open onto a large sea-facing veranda, furnished with armchairs and a hammock from which you can watch the lemurs in the trees or the fishing pirogues on the ocean. Notwithstanding the isolated location, this is probably the most comfortable accommodation in Madagascar.
The main lodge features an oasis designed by the famous Parisian landscape designer, Camille Muller. It houses a comfortable lounge, the bar and billiards table, the television room and the main restaurant, though many meals are taken outside, on the decked area that runs the length of the main building. The main building looks out across the lawn, usually littered with parakeets, to the 200 square metres pool and the Indian Ocean beyond. The boutique stocks a range of essentials, both traditional and contemporary Malagasy crafts, and a line of resort wear.
The pool has a large sun-deck, with sun-beds and parasols. The long, sandy beach in front of the villas is for swimming and relaxation; deck-chairs and shades are provided at discrete intervals.
In this land famed for its endemic species, Anjajavy offers guided walks through the forest where guests can see lemurs and other small animals and insects. Plant life is also varied, and many of the plants have medicinal purposes as explained by Anjajavy guides. You can observe the wildlife virtually without effort. Each day, a troop of beautiful Coquerel's sifaka comes to a tree just metres from the beach. Brown lemurs often join in. At night, you can spot mouse lemurs in the beam of your torch. There are flocks of love-birds, Crested couas, Sickle-billed vangas, Vasa parrots, to mention but a few.
A second beach is geared towards watersports, which preserves the tranquillity of the villas and the beach in front of them. Complimentary watersports include catamarans, windsurfing, canoes, snorkelling and water-skiing. Land-based sports include: volleyball, table tennis, badminton, billiards and boules. Mountain bikes are available for a nominal fee. Excursions in 4x4 vehicles, village and market visits can also be arranged for guests wishing to travel a bit further out.
The fishing is truly incredible and the hotel caters for big game and fly fishing. You can walk through the mangrove at low tide; through the forest, populated by Coquerel's sifakas and a variety of bird species; to the Sakalava fishing villages of Ambondro Ampassy or Anjajavy; to the enormous baobab; or explore the numerous small coves.
There are no roads to Anjajavy. The private airline, Air Hotel, provides scheduled air transfers from Antananarivo three times each week. Special air transfers can usually be arranged on other days at a higher price.