MANDRARERIVERCAMP,IFOTAKACOMMUNITYFORESTThis pretty camp has six tents set under tamarind trees on the banks of the MandrareRiver. Each comfortable tent has a large bedroomand en suite bathroom with hot bucket shower.The sun rises directly in front of the tents, givingbreathtaking early morning views. At night, therebeing absolutely no light pollution, the stars arethe best you'll see anywhere in Africa. With someof Madagascar's best guides, this camp is wellsuited to wildlife enthusiasts.Manafiafy Manafiafy is a sleepy fishing village on the bay ofSt Luce in southern Madagascar. This was wherethe first Portuguese landed in Madagascar in 1613,as the bay's sheltered waters provided safeanchorage. The village has changed little sincethose times and the smell of cloves and vanillasweeten the air. Nowadays, local fishermen paddletheir dugout canoes through the calm waters tothe open ocean beyond. The sandy beaches arebacked by forests where lemurs, chameleons andgeckos can be seen. Offshore there are coral reefsrich in marine life and humpback whales pass byfrom mid June until early December.MANAFIAFYBEACHANDRAINFORESTLODGE, MANAFIAFYThis lodge has an idyllic setting, surrounded byazure blue seas, lush verdant forests, and distantmountains. There are six comfortable bungalowstucked into the forest overlooking the beach. Each has a large bedroom which opens onto ashady terrace with sun beds, a hammock and tableand chairs for outdoor dining. The lodge pridesitself on its cuisine, with seafood a speciality. Freshmussels, oysters, crab, lobster and fish are boughtfrom the fishermen daily and exquisitely preparedfor candlelit dinners on the beach.The Ifotaka Community ForestThe Ifotaka Community Forest is as remote as itis wild. It covers a huge expanse of gallery andspiny forest and has been protected by theAntandroy, one of Madagascar's fiercest and most traditional tribes. Their ancestors are buriedin the sacred forests: guarding their graves, theAntandroy have also preserved pristine wildlifeareas. Species including ring-tailed, mouse,sportive and sifaka lemurs are all readily seen, as well as many bird species. Many tombs arehidden in the forest undergrowth, and your guidewill explain the traditions and rituals of ancestorworship. It is possible to visit the ombiasy(traditional healer), learn how to use the piletse, a zebu-hide slingshot, and take a zebu-cart to the colourful market at Fenaivo.118St Luce Bay, ManafiafyMandrare River CampView from chalet, Manafiafy Beach and Rainforest LodgeWrestling match in Antandroy Village

AnakaoAnakao is a Vezo fishing village around 50kilometres south of Tulear. The terrible roadsmake boat the best way to reach Anakao, andfleets of pirogues line the shore. The inaccessibilityof the village means that modern developmenthas largely passed Anakao by. Most of the villagers are fishermen and shortly after dawn each morning you'll see tens of tiny sails flutteracross the water. Anakao has some pretty beaches. Offshore, thetiny island of Nosy Ve has a white sandy shoreline,and is home to hundreds of tropicbirds. The reefsoffer good diving and snorkelling with a myriad offish including surgeonfish, angelfish, butterflyfish,groupers and rays. On the outskirts of Anakaovillage you will find some interesting tombs andonce you are clear of the populated areas youstart to see wildlife including ring-tailed lemurs,tortoises, chameleons, geckos and other lizards.www.audleytravel.com/madagascar ?01993 838 585 ?Madagascar119ANAKAOOCEANLODGE,ANAKAOAnakao Ocean Lodge is a ten minute boat ridefrom the village. It has 25 thatched stonerondavels built in two rows along the back of along sandy beach. The main lodge is a large,round, stone building housing the bar andrestaurant under a soaring thatched roof. Fromthe restaurant, it's possible to see straight into the kitchen, where the chef cooks French andMalagasy food, often using fish from the seanearby. Outside there is a small terrace, whereguests eat lazy lunches and listen to the waves.Ambola & TsimanampetsotsaNational ParkAmbola is a small and typically Malagasy coastalvillage at the end of a magnificent stretch of white sand in a very remote and beautiful part ofMadagascar. Here you can enjoy the beach andalso some of the fascinating flora endemic to thesouth - it is a perfect little place for a short stop.Ambola is also the place from which to explorethe Tsimanampetsotsa National Park. Amongstthe spiny forest you will get the chance to seesome extraordinary baobabs, a salt water lake full of flamingos and an endemic species of fishthat is entirely blind. HOTELAMBOLA, AMBOLALocated on one of the most majestic beaches inthe region, this small hotel has just five rooms.Each is simple but is imaginatively decorated withtraditional woodcarvings. En suite bathrooms have showers and hot water is available onrequest. The hotel has a well located restaurantoverlooking the lagoon. Here you can veryhappily while away some time reading a book and observing the local fishermen sailing past intheir pirogues. The hotel is particularly lovely from June to September when humpback whalescan be seen offshore.Female panther chameleonBaobab in TsimanampetsotsaThe village at AnakaoA suite at Anakao Ocean LodgeThe beach at AmbolaVerreaux's sifaka