If you want to be surprised by quality, and you love being pampered, and you don’t mind a long flight from Europe, and you like to name drop about having been to a place that almost nobody has heard of, then plump for The Princesse Bora Lodge on Ile Sainte Marie in Madagascar.
It would be fair to say I had never heard of it either, but as one of my dreams has always been to get close up and personal to whales, I am always looking for just a chance, and it was just by chance I found the Princess Bora Lodge, on the old pirate colony Island of Sainte-Marie .
You fly from Europe using Air France into Antananarivo (Tana), the lively Malagasy capital in the Central Highlands. On arrival proceed through customs and immigration and make your way to the domestic terminal for your flight to Sainte Marie.
When you arrive on the island airport you are picked up in a zebu chariot for the short journey to the Princesse Bora Lodge. In theory you could walk but it is a lot more fun this way.
You will be greeted perhaps by the owner himself, but certainly by uniformed staff. Although you will have read about this extraordinary hotel, you will still be surprised by how new, and beautifully designed it is. Madagascar is not renowned for its hotels, but this is the real exception.
Oh by the way, if you not only love whales, but want to get up real close and personal, then this must be the best place in the world to be between June and September, when literally hundreds and hundreds of humpback whales are in the waters offshore to breed.
Princesse Bora Lodge Ile Sainte Marie Madagascar is very heavily involved in the protection of the endangered humpback whales, and you will get fantastic opportunities to help in the scientific evaluations, as well as getting close enough to touch them.
To discuss the pros and cons of the Princesse Bora Lodge Ile Sainte Marie Madagascar almost seems churlish, because at this time of year visitors, and you will need to book early are there for the whales, not the great comfort and food.
You will however be very surprised by what you find when you eventually get there. This is a lovely place in quite beautiful surroundings
The accommodation is lovely, the ambience is lovely, the food, mainly seafood is quite splendid, the owner is worth the trip alone, and the whole ambience is amazing.
Go if you are a whalewatcher, go anyway if you are not.
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