In the Malagasy language, Miavana means “to bring together”. Through their knowledge the people of Miavana connect guest with the wild beauty of Madagascar. Nosy Ankao is set within the Loky Manambato Protected Area, a marine park of pristine coral reefs, meaning the guests can enjoy snorkeling, diving, and even whale-watching just off-shore. On land, you can spot lemurs, chameleons and turtles nest right at the beach.
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Ecorating: 4.0
This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
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This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
Sample Itinerary
Your private villa strung out along the island. Every Villa has direct access to white sandy beaches, turquoise water and coral reefs. The colours of the sand, wood and water have been brought inside the Villas and appear in hand dyed curtains, hand crafted chairs, and light fittings resembling old glass buoys.
Every 1, 2 and 3 master bedroom Villa has their own kitchenette, lounge, private deck and pool overlooking the Indian Ocean. You could also spot the Madagascan mainland from a distance. Each villa has an ensuite room which can be turned into a child’s bedroom for up to 2 children under 18.
Your bathroom.
Embrace the view while taking a relaxing bath..
Enjoy an outdoor shower after a long day in the salty ocean.
The view from your veranda, you will never want to leave.
Activities under water,
Miavanas abundant marine life will amaze you. Take a boat and explore reefs never seen before or walk down the beach from your villa and the coral beds are not far away. From October to April you can see turtles laying eggs or turtles hatching on the beach. The same period is good for dolphin watching, scuba diving and snorkeling is excellent. August is best for whale watching.
You could also try out kayaking, paddle boarding, kite surfing or fly fishing.
Activities on land:
Take in the breathtaking sights on land on foot or by bike. Day and night walks allow you to discover the forests full of life such as lemurs and chameleons. During the night you can explore clear skies full of stars.
Activities in air:
You can also explore the northern reaches of Madagascar on a helicopter safari to Ankarana or Amber Mountains national parks.
Trip details
Ecorating: 4.0
Season: All year round
Airport: Avato International airport (Anatanarivo)
Included: Full board, transfers
Not included: Insurance, tipping, activities, items of personal nature
Find out more about Madagascar: The evolution of Madagascar has been more or less isolated on this remote island. Located 400 km from the East coast of Africa, which means that much of the domestic wildlife is not found anywhere else on earth. Madagascar’s menagerie of strange and wonderful creatures includes the world’s largest and smallest chameleons and over 70 species of lemurs, the long-lasting primates endemic to the island. The Madagascan landscape is no less convincing with a terrain that extends from lush jungles and palm-fringed beaches to the knife-edged karst tsingys of Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. Madagascar is a unique paradise where visitors are offered an insight into a fantastic and different world. The island life is lived under a strict set of taboos and traditional beliefs. The island’s musical traditions were also developed independently, meaning each region has its local types of music. Two hundred years of French colonisation has laid a thin (but fervent) layer of Christianity and basic cooking but has never threatened local cultures and beliefs.
Travel ethics: Madagascar is a land of «moramora», it means “slow, slow” which reflects the attitude to life of most Madagascans. Impatience and a rushed attitude will get you nowhere, and will in fact be counter-productive.
• Keep your dress in line with local tradition. Wearing clothes that are too skimpy, tight, ostentatious, or sloppy will offend some people. The same goes for body contact – for example, patting children on the head, pointing, and hugging in public.
• A good photographer is respectful. Take the time to make an agreement with the people you wish to photograph. Ask for their permission (ask the parents of children), and if they refuse, be gracious and accept their wishes.
Mobile networks and email: Email and Internet access is provided. The mobile network works ok.
Visa: Visa to Madagascar is available on arrival at Ivato Interantional Airport and costs EURO 35. This visa is valid for 30 days. Please double-check with Madagascar’s Embassy in your country of residence.
Time zone: GMT – 6
Vaccinations: Learn what vaccinations you need.
Packing: Swimming attire, Hat, Shorts, T-shirts, Light pair of trousers, Light jumper (if you come in the cooler season), Sandals/flip flops, Prescription drugs,
Toiletries bag, At least two good books, Spare glasses/sunglasses/contact lenses, Sunscreen protection, After sun if you forget the sunscreen!
Please note that your weight allowance on the light aircraft is 15kg and soft bags must be used!
Local Currency: Malagasy Ariary
Weather: Weather Madagascar
Water: Clean water available at the lodge.
Safety: Your safety is our priority.
For more information on travel advice: Travel tips Madagascar
Ecorating: 4.0
This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
Does my trip make a difference?
Read more
This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
Nosy Ankao is part of approximately 15,000 hectares of protected marine space, which along with the adjacent mainland, makes up the Loky Manambato Protected Area. Our journey to Nosy Ankao began with entrepreneur and treasure hunter, Jean Christophe Peyre, who has been an adventurer in Madagascar for over 25 years.
Jean Christophe shares our passion for protecting special wild places and harmoniously developing ways for local communities to sustain themselves without overexploiting the area’s natural resources. Before a pole was put in the ground we were supporting local conservation efforts to reduce net fishing and monitor wildlife movements around and on the island, including the four species of turtle that nest here all year round.
Miavana took almost 4 years to build with up to 500 local workers forming the construction team. Designed by award-winning architects, and part of our extended safari family, Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens, this lodge seamlessly fits the environment and offers guests the chance to create amazing memories in the heart of an Indian Ocean paradise. The villas are strung out along the western side of the island, each offering uninterrupted beach and ocean front views.
