Your bungalow
A double and a single bed, your own covered veranda over the water, and an en-suite with a hot shower.
- Lagoon views from bed
- Sleeps up to 3
- Mosquito nets, daily housekeeping
- Six in total, so it's never crowded
a barefoot lodge off Madagascar's east coast
Six bungalows. One lagoon. No cars.
Sambatra Beach Lodge sits on the sand at Île aux Nattes, a tiny island off Sainte Marie. We're the family's travel desk in New Zealand and Australia. Tell us when you want to go and we'll sort the bungalow, the boat, the flights and the pickup.
what you get
Built by hand from hardwood, palm thatch and granite
Six bungalows face the lagoon. Big windows on every side catch the sea breeze. There's a restaurant on the sand, a reef you can swim to from the beach, and a small team who'll learn your name on day one.
Restaurant & bar
Fresh seafood off the boats and Malagasy cooking, served with your feet in the sand. Cold drinks at sunset.
- Catch of the day
- Local produce and spices
- Bar open into the evening
The island
Île aux Nattes has no roads and no cars. White sand, red-dirt paths, fishing villages and a reef wall right off the beach.
- Snorkel straight from the lodge
- Humpbacks July to September
- Sainte Marie a pirogue ride away
postcards from Nattes
See it for yourself
when to go
Every month is warm. Some are whale months.
The lodge has three rates through the year. Prices below are per bungalow per night for two people.
the long way round, worth it
Four legs from home to the veranda
It's a proper journey. Most people make it in two days and arrive in time for sunset. We line up every leg so you only have to turn up.
- day 1Fly out of NZ or AustraliaOne stop, usually Johannesburg, Mauritius or Réunion. Perth has the shortest run.
- day 1-2Land in AntananarivoMadagascar's capital (TNR). Many people overnight here and break the trip.
- 55 minutesHop to Sainte MarieDomestic flight to Sainte Marie Island (SMS).
- sunsetDrive and pirogue to NattesA short scenic drive, then a traditional pirogue across the channel to the lodge beach.
Visas
NZ and Australian passports can get an eVisa online or a visa on arrival. Stays under 15 days have no visa fee, just a small admin charge. Your passport needs 6 months left on it. Always check the official portal before you go.
Health
See your GP or a travel clinic 6 to 8 weeks out about vaccinations and malaria tablets. Bring a yellow fever certificate if you're arriving from a country where it's present.
On the ground
Madagascar runs on UTC+3. French and Malagasy are spoken, and the team speak English. Euros, US dollars and ariary are all handy to carry.
your trip, priced live
Plan it here, we'll make it happen
Pick a starting point, tweak the dates and people, and you'll see the accommodation cost straight away. Send it through and we'll confirm with the lodge.
good questions
Before you ask
Do I pay anything now?
No. Sending a request is free. We check the bungalows are available, then send a firm quote. You only pay once you're happy with it.
Is it cheaper booking through you?
You pay the lodge's own rate, the same as booking direct. The difference is you get someone in your time zone who'll plan the whole journey and answer the phone.
Can you book the flights too?
Yes. Use the flight search to see live fares, or tick "help me sort the flights" and we'll put together options that line up with your dates.
Is it good for kids?
Very. There are no cars on the island, the lagoon is calm, and each bungalow has a single bed as well as the double. Bigger families can take two bungalows side by side.
Can we take over the whole place?
Yes. With six bungalows and up to 18 guests, it's a great spot for a wedding, a milestone birthday or a reunion. Pick the Whole-Island Buyout package.
Who are you?
We're a small family-run desk in New Zealand. The lodge is family, so we know every bungalow, every boat skipper and the best seat at sunset.