Tide + Tide Tsara Komba

Rooms

Nestled in a tropical garden looking out over the ocean, each bungalow is very spacious and comfortable, with large openings allowing cooling ocean breezes and lots of natural light inside. Wooden floors and furniture create a warm, homely feel, while the roofs are made from Ravinala trees, giving them an authentic Madagascan character.

The 90 sq m (968 sq ft) Lodges have a queen or king sized four-poster bed with mosquito net, a spacious en suite bathroom with hot water showers and a veranda with wonderful ocean views. They also feature a fan and a safe. Suite Lodges are larger at 120 sq m (1,291 sq ft), featuring a lounge area with two large sofas in addition to the bedroom. Electricity isn’t available at night, so a torch/flashlight is recommended.

Location

The lodge is situated on the south coast of Nosy Komba, which lies between the northwest coast of Madagascar and the southeast coast of Nosy Be island. Nosy Komba is also known as ‘Lemur Island’ and has a diverse range of wildlife, including chameleons, hummingbirds, parrots and lemurs, as well as a number of endemic plants. Offshore you may see dolphins, turtles and even whales.

Food and drink

You can enjoy breakfast on your scenic terrace as the sun rises. The restaurant serves excellent Malagasy and French food, with an emphasis on fresh seafood caught by local fishermen. Desserts feature fresh fruits such as mangoes and passion fruit, as well as Madagascan cocoa and vanilla. Many ingredients are grown in the property’s organic kitchen garden. There’s a good selection of wine, as well as Tide + Tide Tsara Komba's famous coconut rum punch.

Families

The 90 sq m (968 sq ft) Lodges have space for an extra single bed to accommodate a total of three guests, while the lounge in the Suite Lodges can be converted into a second bedroom with two single beds, making them ideal for families of up to four. A babysitting service is available.

Facilities and activities

The property offers broadband internet access as well as massage and laundry services. The beach is just a short walk from the lodge and features sunloungers, beach volleyball and racketball facilities and snorkelling equipment. Alternatively, take a stroll through the private nature reserve to admire the diverse flora and fauna, enjoy a game of badminton or Frisbee, fly a kite or unwind with a book.

Environmental and social responsibility

Tide + Tide Tsara Komba places emphasis on sustainable tourism, both in terms of the environment and the local community. It has recycling schemes in place for metals, plastics, household waste and waste water, which is naturally filtered and used to irrigate the gardens. Water heating is solar powered and there are no TVs or air conditioning to minimise electricity use.

Most staff are employed from the local area, and the lodge pays for their healthcare. It also provides education for locals to stop deforestation and unsustainable farming methods. Food and local materials are sourced locally, and the lodge runs a micro-loan scheme to fund pirogue boats for fishing, travel and goods transportation.

Local excursions

Nosy Komba is a joy to explore, with all journeys taking place on foot, by pirogue or boat, reflecting the island’s laid-back atmosphere. The surrounding waters are excellent for diving and snorkelling, with several diving sites found nearby featuring marine life such as groupers, stingrays, turtles and parrotfish.

Go on a guided hike of between two and five hours to spot some of the diverse wildlife, or head out on a nature trip to Baie des Russes (known for its dolphins, whale sharks and humpback whales), the natural crater of Kisimany or Mamoko, where you may see giant tortoises.