Madagascar ecolodge
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
The lodge is thus the first Green Globe certified hotel in Madagascar, a guarantee of the highest standards in Sustainable Tourism. The lodge is a luxury eco-lodge selected by the ADEME as a pilot project for eco-tourism in Madagascar. Far from spectacular and publicised environmental measures, everything was originally conceived in an eco-friendly perspective with the local population in mind. To us, real luxury has nothing to do with the superfluous: it mostly means high quality service in a rare and long lasting environment.
Village development
Every year, the villagers and ourselves determine a priority that we finance. We were able to finance and revive the school of a nearby village. Building a second school in our village of Anjanojano, which is about to be completed. The village well also was recently launched.
Other projects are foreseen: a solar panel for lighting, etc.
Regular supplies arriving by boat greatly helps villagers who were otherwise totally isolated before. Recruitment of staff members among the local population contributes to social wellbeing and balance.
Artisanal development
We buy fish produce from local villagers and contribute to rearing goats and poultry. We organise visits to neighbouring villages thus encouraging the development of artisanal and tourism linked activities.
We will also develop a collection of school supplies in France so our customers can take us on arrival at the lodge, notebooks, pencils, slates, small non-school books, which are the event and fun for students. If you are interested, email us, we will provide material lists where you will choose your participation.
Renewable energy sources and technology :
Electricity
The hotel produces 100% of its electrical needs thanks to a solar power generator. A local solar power equipment company was chosen to install the solar power generator capable of producing 6 KWC. Such a capacity makes it one of the most performant solar power generators in Madagascar which required a 100.000 Euros investment. The entire process of installation was accompanied by the ADEME who financed the study of the project by a specialised consultant. This same consultant oversaw the quality of the equipment as well as its proper installation. This technically structured engineering approach was accompanied by training, communication and follow-up. All the equipment (especially refrigerating) was chosen for its low energy consumption. The lighting is entirely composed of LED and low consumption light bulbs.
Hot water production
Hot water is produced by monobloc (CESI) thermal sensors. Such equipment already installed in Madagascar is robust and sun exposure allows hot water production more than 300 days a year.
Water and water management:
Water
Water from the depths of neighbouring hills is pumped by two solar powered pumps. It is then kept in an airtight, 10 000 litres cistern. This levy, rapidly compensated during the rainy season, supplies the hotel and soon, the nearby village.
Wastewater management
The lodges' wastewater is drained into sumps and filtered by coconut and dead coral. Instead of being rejected to the sea where it could damage the coral reef the water is used for gardening purposes. Wastewater from the laundry and dry cleaning service is managed in the same way. The honeycomb motif towels were chosen for their low water absorption thus allowing limited detergent use.
Recycling our garbage
Waste management and recycling. Waste management is optimised at the lodge: we produce our compost from foodstuffs waste and recycle all we can: especially metal and plastic. Recovered metal is turned into pots and pans, plastic bottles are transformed into place mats, glasses are recuperated. We transport non recyclable refuse to the Nosy Be dump.
Nature preservation:
Ecoconstruction and environment
The lodge was exclusively built with local material (stone walls, local wood, ravinala roofs) thus preserving the site and limiting transportation of material. Transportations made mandatory where done by dhows therefore avoiding useless C02 emission.
Land and sea fauna
Preserving the beauty of the site and its fauna is one of our primary objectives. We protect lemur colonies that are endangered today by their illegal capture and sale. Likewise, near the lodge, we struggle against scuba hunting which threatens coral species as well as against all motorised water sports. In order to preserve the beautiful diversity of the coral reefs around the lodge, these are regularly inspected by a marine biology specialist.
Forestry and flora
We know our site is unique. Our five hundred year old baobab trees planted on a dream-like beach are nowhere to be found on the Nosy Be archipelago or even Madagascar. Protecting these majestic trees, symbol of Madagascar, by cherishing them in our gardens is one of our objectives. We have already been able to save two baobab trees that were slowly dying as a result of local customs, unfortunately as ancestral as inappropriate.
Lower carbon travel
The only way to the lodge is by boat. We are planning to offer an eco-crossing by sail pirogue. 1 lodge visitor = 1 planted tree. This is our commitment in the effort to stem global warming and encourage reforestation with this symbolic Madagascar tree. The Ravinala tree's leaves are used to build traditional roofing in the Nosy Be area.
Community
Providing education, water and development.
Landscape
Providing discovery of an authentic experience of Madagascar.
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