West Valley Lodge

From MadaCamp
Revision as of 14:41, 28 May 2019 by CampMaster (talk | contribs)

Jump to: navigation, search

West Valley Lodge, or Vallée Ouest Lodge, is a newly opened accommodation since May 2019 close to the village of Antsalaka in north Madagascar. The area is on a plateau about 600 metres above sea level, which enjoys a slightly cooler climate than elsewhere in the same region of the country.

West Valley Lodge 073.jpg
West Valley Lodge 153.jpg West Valley Lodge 301.jpg West Valley Lodge 631.jpg

Built in style of an orderly Malagasy village, conveniences are no more than necessary, such as a comfortable bed with mosquito net, running water and shower and toilet in each bungalow. The real luxury is after all nature itself: The sounds of the little rivers running between the houses, the wind, birds and other creatures, especially the nightly concert of innumerable frogs. A bonus of the existence of these tailless amphibians in the area is that their favourite food happens to be mosquitoes and as a result, there are very few mosquitoes even during rainy periods.

West Valley Lodge 675.jpg

There is no TV or generator and no motorised vehicles can reach the valley so peace and quiet are guaranteed. Solar is used and a dim light at night is powered up by solar chargers throughout the day. It's difficult to find any place where a good rest is much easier.

West Valley Lodge 403.jpg
West Valley Lodge 385.jpg West Valley Lodge 491.jpg West Valley Lodge 511.jpg
West Valley Lodge 499.jpg
West Valley Lodge 482.jpg West Valley Lodge 481.jpg West Valley Lodge 479.jpg
West Valley Lodge 505.jpg West Valley Lodge 518.jpg West Valley Lodge 504.jpg
West Valley Lodge 558.jpg
West Valley Lodge 539.jpg West Valley Lodge 396.jpg West Valley Lodge 535.jpg
West Valley Lodge 598.jpg West Valley Lodge 518.jpg West Valley Lodge 555.jpg
West Valley Lodge 616.jpg
West Valley Lodge 674.jpg West Valley Lodge 528.jpg West Valley Lodge 421.jpg
West Valley Lodge 527.jpg West Valley Lodge 526.jpg West Valley Lodge 550.jpg
West Valley Lodge 726.jpg West Valley Lodge 728.jpg West Valley Lodge 744.jpg
West Valley Lodge 724.jpg West Valley Lodge 430.jpg West Valley Lodge 026.jpg
West Valley Lodge 425.jpg

Much of the farmlands surrounding Antsalaka is where most of the country's kaht grows, a widespread and illegal class C drug that is tolerated by the authorities. At West Valley Lodge, however, no kaht is cultivated. Instead, a wide range of naturally organic fruits and vegetables are and whatever is in season will be freshly prepared by the kitchen and oftentimes even plucked from the ground, tree or bush at the time of order.

West Valley Lodge 045.jpg
West Valley Lodge 013.jpg West Valley Lodge 025.jpg West Valley Lodge 014.jpg
West Valley Lodge 019.jpg West Valley Lodge 018.jpg West Valley Lodge 056.jpg
West Valley Lodge 020.jpg West Valley Lodge 047.jpg West Valley Lodge 048.jpg
West Valley Lodge 059.jpg West Valley Lodge 061.jpg West Valley Lodge 058.jpg
West Valley Lodge 642.jpg
West Valley Lodge 732.jpg West Valley Lodge 733.jpg West Valley Lodge 643.jpg

The slow food concept applies both in terms of the use of almost only local ingredients and the slowness of preparation since ingredients are harvested at the time of cooking. Rarely anything needs to stay in a fridge or freezer before. Also, mineral water is sourced and filtered at the lodge, although guests who are dubious about its purity can order always bottled Eau Vive.

West Valley Lodge 606.jpg
West Valley Lodge 190.jpg West Valley Lodge 490.jpg West Valley Lodge 226.jpg
West Valley Lodge 186.jpg West Valley Lodge 185.jpg West Valley Lodge 182.jpg
West Valley Lodge 666.jpg West Valley Lodge 735.jpg West Valley Lodge 316.jpg
West Valley Lodge 622.jpg
West Valley Lodge 173.jpg West Valley Lodge 174.jpg West Valley Lodge 367.jpg
West Valley Lodge 165.jpg

Trekking trails are endless in all directions around West Valley Lodge. Either set off on your own accord or ask a local to show you the sometimes otherwise hidden attractions.

West Valley Lodge 679.jpg
West Valley Lodge 263.jpg West Valley Lodge 254.jpg West Valley Lodge 253.jpg
West Valley Lodge 149.jpg West Valley Lodge 150.jpg West Valley Lodge 147.jpg
West Valley Lodge 286.jpg West Valley Lodge 298.jpg West Valley Lodge 292.jpg
West Valley Lodge 132.jpg West Valley Lodge 207.jpg West Valley Lodge 236.jpg
West Valley Lodge 152.jpg
West Valley Lodge 458.jpg West Valley Lodge 452.jpg West Valley Lodge 462.jpg
West Valley Lodge 449.jpg West Valley Lodge 464.jpg West Valley Lodge 465.jpg
West Valley Lodge 463.jpg West Valley Lodge 454.jpg West Valley Lodge 447.jpg

West Valley Lodge was founded by Dolie Monunibo who herself grew up in the village of Antsalaka. Together with her husband Toto Mounibo from Diego Suarez and a dedicated team of gardeners, planters, kitchen and service staff, they welcome visitier to their their tropical farm and nature lodge in North Madagascar.

West Valley Lodge 325.jpg
West Valley Lodge 333.jpg West Valley Lodge 334.jpg West Valley Lodge 335.jpg
West Valley Lodge 755.jpg West Valley Lodge 398.jpg West Valley Lodge 340.jpg
West Valley Lodge 341.jpg West Valley Lodge 355.jpg West Valley Lodge 356.jpg
West Valley Lodge 441.jpg West Valley Lodge 349.jpg West Valley Lodge 320.jpg

First row from left to right: Jean Chry (Manager in Charge), Lionel (Gardener), Dada Fara (Planter of Vegetables).
Second row: Randria (Carpenter), Clement (Vegetables and Gardening), Papan'i Amba (Security).
Third row: Pasteur (Security), Fona (Driver), Dada Michel (Mason).
Fourth row: Nina (Houskeeping), Mamani Oliska (Maid), Dolie (Boss).

Diego-West Valley Lodge.jpg

West Valley and Antsalaka are close to an entry point of Montagne d'Ambre National Park and route leading through the park between Joffre Ville and Antsalaka. If driving along RN6 from Diego Suarez, turn right after 60km at the sign for Antsalaka and Park National d'Ambre. Antsalaka is 7km from the RN6 and thereafter another 1.5km of walking trail leads to West Valley Lodge.

West Valley Lodge 404.jpg

For further information, rates and reservations, contact:

TOTO Circuits
Rue Sadi Carnot
201 Diégo-Suarez

Email: toto@kikoohotel.com

Tel: +261 (0)33 37 954 03 / +261 (0)32 05 597 75