Anjajavy ***

Located on a remote peninsula south of Analalava, the privately-run Anjajavy Hotel protects a 450-ha area of dry deciduous forest, limestone outcrops, and mangroves. Brown lemur (Eulemur fulvus) and Coquerel’s sifaka (Propithecus coquereli) are common and enter the bungalow area and the hotel gardens every day. On guided night walks visitors can expect to see Lepilemur, Cheirogaleus, and at least one and perhaps two species of Microcebus. None of these nocturnal lemurs have yet been identified with certainty, meaning that some of them could be undescribed species. Also of note at Anjajavy is an underground cave where one can see two skulls of the extinct giant lemur, Palaeopropithecus, in the exact location in which they were found, along with a third now under lock-and-key in the lodge itself. This is the only site that we know of in Madagascar where one can actually see an extinct fossil lemur in situ. Anjavavy is one of the most upscale lodges in all of Madagascar and may be beyond the budget of many visitors, but it is well worth a visit.