Eastern Madagascar
Princesse Bora Lodge
The well-established, popular hotel is perhaps the best on the island of Ile Ste Marie and set along a sandy beach within good reach of all local points of interest. A classically beautiful tropical isle, Ste Marie has sandy beaches, coral reefs and lush foliage with many orchids and palms. It was a pirate base in the 17th & 18th centuries and there is an historic privateers’ graveyard on the island. The hotel accommodation is very comfortable and the food is superbly cooked and presented.
The 20 bright and spacious detached villas are of three standards: Charming Villas with fans, Villas Luxe, air-conditioned and ideal for families, and Executive Beach Villas with private garden, bathtub and double shower and also good for families.
The friendly bar has stunning sunset views and the restaurant is considered among the best on the island. There is a pontoon in the lagoon, a water sports centre and a full service spa.
There is an emphasis on freshly cooked seafood displaying French, Creole and Malagasy influences. Pizza is also available, baked in a special oven.
Facilities
Restaurant, bar, lounge, en-suite facilities, air-conditioning, water sports, spa.
Local Wildlife
The main wildlife interest is humpback whale watching from July to September, when the gentle leviathans are reliably seen on ethically-run boat trips organised by the hotel. You will be briefed and accompanied by a trained naturalist guide during the trip, and debriefed afterwards. The island is also notable for its orchids and other flora, seen best on a tour to Ile Aux Nattes, a small island just offshore.
Optional Activities
You can hire snorkelling gear, canoes, catamarans and local boats (pirogues), and book water-skiing and paragliding trips – all at the on-site water sports centre. You may hire a quad bike, motorbike or 4x4 with driver to explore the island yourselves. Surfing can be good on the island, and fishing is also a possibility.
Claire Pote
Area Specialist
Be sure to visit from July to September during the whale-watching season.
If you have any questions regarding our Madagascar tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
Our highlights were the lemurs of course, but the sheer variety of them was amazing and we really loved how close some got. The spiny forest was particularly great for photographs because of such amazing backgrounds. Also loved the whale shark dive and the reefs were beautifully clear.