Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mahambo
Mahambo is a coastal village with a safe swimming beach and luxuriant vegetation that
comes right down to the shore in some places. For the moment it's much quieter and gener-
ally more enticing than Foulpointe, primarily because it's further from the main road, and
while facilities are already expanding it should still be some time before resort life starts to
take over in the same way.
SLEEPING & EATING
La Pirogue
LODGE €€€
( 5730171,0330876810,0330876818;
www.pirogue-hotel.com
;
rAr55,000-79,500,
bungalows Ar93,500-295,000) This elegant resort rises well above Foulpointe to become
one of the top choices on the East Coast. It has a fascinating reef-front location, and lots of
creativity on display, from the delicate sea urchins on the menu to the local wood carvings
and fossils in the bungalows to the safari fishing trips to the nearby reef. The charming
and sophisticated French-American owners, who also run a guesthouse on the Côte d'Azur,
haveworkedcarefullyoneverydetail,andattractadiverseclientele,includingmanyfamil-
ies. A great range of accommodation helps, beginning with a very reasonable double room,
and ending with the spectacular
bungalow de luxe
.
Zanatany
BUNGALOW €
( 57 301 35; d bungalow Ar25,000, f bungalow Ar40,000) Resplendent in its bright-blue
paint job, this little restaurant located in the centre of the village also has the cheapest digs
in town, if you don't mind finding Jennifer Lopez in your bungalow. Her poster, that is.
Ylang-Ylang
BUNGALOW €
( 57 300 08, 033 09 380 39; mamitina@wanadoo.mg; bungalow Ar20,000-25,000) If
you can't be on the beach, then this wonderfully scented garden with its well-kept row of
wooden cottages is a fine substitute.
GETTING THERE & AWAY
Mahambo is 30km north of Foulpointe (Ar1500) and about 90km from Tamatave (Ar4500)
on the RN5. If taking a taxi-brousse, ask the driver to drop you at the intersection (you'll
see the hotel signs), then walk about 2km down the sandy track heading east.
