Sainte Luce Reserve

Beach and bush at Sainte Luce Bay

Sainte Luce Reserve, located at the stunning Sainte Luce Bay, protects one of the last remaining coastal forests of Madagascar. The reserve is located at the edge of a village but there is only one tourist lodge nearby. I stayed at the rustic Manafiafy Beach and Rainforest Lodge, which as the name suggests, is the perfect beach and bush getaway. The lodge offers impeccable service and great food and guides are available at all time for a range of activities. A walk in the reserve offers a chance to see the endangered collared brown lemur, but night walks are more exciting and are great for spotting nocturnal species, such as fat-tailed dwarf and southern woolly lemur. As I had already spent a lot of time exploring different forests in Madagascar, I was keener on the water-based activities. The bay is perfect for kayaking and I was privileged to see a green turtle swimming alongside me. A boat trip into the mangroves and a snorkeling excursion are also highly recommended. I was here too early in the season for whale-watching, but I can’t wait to visit again when humpback whales congregate in the bay for calving.