Southern Madagascar - Madagascar - page 146

Namaza Follows a stream through some deep gorges to a high waterfall, the Cascade de
Nymphes; 3km by car, somewhat difficult 2km hike.
Falls of Anjofo Anewtrail.Hikebyriver'sedgetotwowaterfalls; 27kmbycar,somewhat
difficult 3km hike.
Canyons Takes in the Canyon des Makis (aka Canyon des Singes), the premier lemur-spot-
ting area, and the Canyon de Rats burial area; 15km drive, easy 2km hike.
Grand Tour An 80km, six- to seven-day hike that takes in as much as the park can offer,
including the Portuguese Grotto, a picturesque cave some 30m long. The way to get away
from it all.
4WD Circuit Takes you out into the savannah and to the edge of some canyons, with stops
at some amateurish trails. Not the best way to see the park.
SLEEPING & EATING
Accommodation extends westward from Ranohira, along the southern border of the park.
You can't go wrong with any of the premier properties here. Dining is done exclusively in
hotels, but the quality is very high everywhere.
Le Relais de la Reine BOUTIQUE HOTEL €€€
( 22 336 23; www.lerelaisdelareine.com ; d €80, bungalows €70; ) This hotel has
the perfect name, because it is indeed the queen of properties in this area. Beautifully de-
signed, it sits among canyons with a stately elegance, wedded perfectly to its site, with a
castle-like feel that's not heavy or formidable. On the contrary, there is an energy here that
elevates you. The gracious family that owns it understands the nature of hospitality from
entrytoexit. There areall theusualaccoutrements onewouldexpect fromapropertyatthis
level, including pools, tennis, a fine restaurant (mains from €10) and stylish bar, but of note
is the private airfield, the spa with its long menu of relaxation treatments, and the equestri-
an centre for sunset gallops across the savannah. What is truly surprising is the more-than-
reasonable price.
Satrana Lodge LODGE €€€
( 034 14 260 87; [e-mail]; d €75; ) This wonderful new lodge beau-
tifully situated beneath a range of sandstone cliffs has a majestic pool with endless desert
views, a classy restaurant (dinner set menus €14) with live music, atmospheric safari-tent
rooms (albeit without sound-proofing) with beautiful writing desks, and fine woodwork