The Big Six: Indian Ocean green retreats
From a safari and beach in one chic package in Tanzania to some eco-friendly cottages in Kenya...
Saturday 02 April 2011
VIEW GALLERY
Related articles
Saadani Safari Lodge, Tanzania
At Saadani, you get safari and beach in one chic package. The lodge, in Saadani National Park, has nine tented cottages and six suites strung along the beach and shaded by casuarina pines. Hot water and electricity are provided by solar panels and the lodge has set up a water pump for the nearby fishing village. Most of the staff come from the village and the lodge owners make every effort to purchase goods from the community.
Saadani Safari Lodge, Saadani National Park, Tanzania (00 255 22 277 3294; saadanilodge.com). Doubles from US$490 (£327), full board.
Barefoot at Havelock, India
At this chic Andaman Island retreat, there's no need for chemical fertilisers and pesticides when you can use natural compost from your resident elephant. Barefoot at Havelock is made up of 18 thatched cottages and villas surrounded by tropical rainforest, behind a sweep of white powder-soft sand. As well as organic vegetables, guests can savour fresh fish and free-range chicken and eggs. The resort also harvests its own rainwater and is about to install solar power.
Barefoot at Havelock, Andaman Islands, India ( barefootindia.com; book with responsibletravel.com; 01273 600 030). Doubles start at US$75 (£50), including breakfast.
Manafiafy Beach and Rainforest Lodge, Madagascar
This English-owned lodge opened last year on the south-east coast of Madagascar. It is made up of six stylish cottages that are tucked among the trees just a few feet from a tranquil, sheltered bay. The lodge is powered by solar energy and the bungalows have been built using local wood, stone and ravinala thatch. A tree-planting programme is also under way.
Manafiafy Beach and Rainforest Lodge, Manafiafy, Madagascar (bookings through 01932 260618; manafiafy.com). Doubles start at €230, full board.
Nuarro, Mozambique
Steve and Lola scoured the coast for the right place to build their lodge. And this is it: a funky hideaway on Nanatha Bay. They established a marine reserve and built 12 chalets that use solar and wind power, as well as establishing community projects.
Nuarro Eco Lodge, Nampula Province, Mozambique (00 258 82 301 4294; nuarro.com). Doubles start at US$590 (£370) full board.
Pemba Lodge, Tanzania
This stylish retreat opened last year on remote Shamiani Island. The five bungalows are on stilts to capture the sea breeze and for minimum environmental impact. The showers use collected rainwater, and lighting is solar-powered.
Pemba Lodge, Shamiani, Tanzania (00 255 24 224 0494; pembalodge.com). Doubles start at US$440 (£273) full board, including transfers.
Kizingo, Kenya
Kizingo is made up of eight bandas or cottages scattered along a glorious 12km beach on the southern tip of Lamu island. Solar panels provide electricity and hot water; wind cools the rooms instead of air conditioning. Add fund-raising for a local school and turtle conservation. and the credentials are impressive.
Kizingo, Lamu, Kenya (00 254 733 954770; kizingo.com). Doubles start at US$390 (£260), full board, including boat transfers.
- 1 Diary of Second World War German teenager reveals young lives untroubled by Nazi Holocaust in wartime Berlin
- 2 Bosses of collapsed banks should be sent to jail, banking standards commission tells George Osborne
- 3 Breaking the Silence: In the reality of occupation, there are no Palestinian civilians – only potential terrorists
- 4 Uri Geller psychic spy? The spoon-bender's secret life as a Mossad and CIA agent revealed
- 5 Vice pulls 'breathtakingly tasteless' fashion shoot glorifying the suicides of famous female authors from Sylvia Plath to Virginia Woolf
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
How will you make today delicious?
Tell us how you plan to make today delicious and you could win a £50 M&S gift card.
Learn a new language
Add another string to your bow with Rosetta Stone, whether it's Spanish, Italian or Mandarin...
Making reading fun for kids
Nook is donating eReaders to volunteers at high-need schools and participating in exclusive events throughout the campaign.
Introducing the 'Get Reading' campaign
Get the latest on The Evening Standard's campaign to get London's children reading.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
iJobs Travel
Graduate Trainee – Recruitment Consultant
£20,000 - £45,000 OTE: Co-Venture: Working for this company will give you a ch...
Associate/Director of Transport
£40000 - £60000 Per Annum: The Green Recruitment Company: The Green Recruitmen...
Travel Sales Consultant
£18000 - £35000 per annum + Award-Winning Benefits & Uncapped Comm: Flight Cen...
Cruise Ship SEASONAL Work
Negotiable: Capita Education Resourcing Permanent Team: Cruise Ship Seasonal W...
Day In a Page
First night: The Cripple of Inishmaan
Scandi-geeks descend on Nordicana for fan-convention
Female aristocrats battle to inherit the title











Comments