Western Madagascar
Relais du Kirindy
The Relais du Kirindy opened in April 2017, providing a welcome comfortable accommodation option to the basic gite located within the reserve.
Just 30 minutes’ drive from Kirindy Forest, this is an excellent option for a stay in the area. There are 20 spacious bungalows at the lodge, all of which are raised up on decks and decorated with wood in warm tones and set a short walk from the main area of the lodge. The main part of the lodge is reminiscent of an African safari lodge, with a large pool and decking as well as an open-plan lounge, dining room and bar area with the wide variety of fresh local food available. Relais du Kirindy is relatively new but is fast establishing a reputation amongst visitors to Madagascar as one of the better options on the mainland and especially in this stunning yet under-visited part of the country.
Facilities
Each of the 20 bungalows at Relais du Kirindy has mosquito nets, fans, a shower room with hot water and a private toilet. Inside they are spacious and comfortable and the doors and windows have fly screens on them as well as shutters so the rooms are as “bug-proof” as they can be. An en-suite bathroom is found at the rear of each room. Bungalows come with shaded decking and comfortable chairs. A daily cleaning service is available and a treatment in one of the massage rooms is an option. The restaurant and bar of the hotel overlook a decked swimming pool situated in front of the sacred Baobab of Kirindy. The chef prepares gourmet and international menus. Wi-Fi is accessible only in the restaurant and bar.
Local Wildlife
Relais du Kirindy is located near the Kirindy Nature Reserve. From the bungalow, you can enjoy the breath-taking views of the sacred Baobab. Kirindy (once known as the Swiss Forest) is a private dry deciduous forest reserve claimed to have the greatest density of primates in the world, with eight species of lemur including Verreaux’s sifaka and the world’s smallest primate, the pygmy mouse lemur, and 23 species of other mammals including fossa, the lemurs’ main predator, often seen near the accommodation area – a rare experience. Madagascar’s largest rodent, the giant jumping rat (vositse) is only found here, mainly in the wetter months. There are many endangered birds, plentiful reptiles and amphibians including the strange spear-nosed snake, and around 90 species of butterfly. En route to Kirindy is the iconic Avenue des Baobabs featuring many examples of the giant baobab, Adansonia grandidieri, and two more species of the ‘upside down tree’ can be found in the region. Nearby Bedo Lake holds 35 species of water bird including the endangered Madagascar teal, Madagascar plover, Madagascar pond heron, and migratory greater and lesser flamingos, as well as big-headed turtles.
Optional Activities
Guided excursions to Kirindy Reserve. A Moronbava Mangrove canoe tour. A guided tour of Betania, village of sinners Vezo.
Claire Pote
Area Specialist
| There can be some noise from the local village in the evening, so ear plug are recommended for light sleepers. |
If you have any questions regarding our Madagascar tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
It was lovely to meet Helen face-to-face and to devise the ideal trip with her – her enthusiasm for Madagascar certainly confirmed us in our choice of destination. Enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides, seemed genuinely interested in their work and in interacting with tourists. Invaluable in spotting wildlife and discussing uses of local medicinal plants. [Our escort guide] was a delightful companion on our journey in Madagascar and very solicitous of our welfare. We were thrilled by the wildlife. Without the keen insight and knowledge of our guides we would certainly have failed to spot the giraffe-necked weevil and stick insects. The night walks were very productive – several mouse lemurs. The first sight of indris was an especial thrill as was the sight of a sleeping mouse lemur in broad daylight. Perhaps the most rewarding experience occurred when the lemurs came to us – six ring-tailed lemurs in Isalo, sifakas on the balcony in Anjajavy, flocks of grey-headed lovebirds on the lawn at breakfast. An excellent tour which gave us a good insight into the wildlife and potential conservation issues in Madagascar. We had opportunities to visit local communities. We were most impressed by the efficiency in ensuring a trouble-free and very enjoyable time in Madagascar. Our tour leader and driver were delightful and very hard working. We shall certainly look forward to booking a further tour with you.