In recent years there’s been a burst of new lodges and villas opening for business on the lovely Nosy Komba island just south of Nosy Be itself – but Manja Kely lodge, which is due to open in July, is a little different in that it was actually built about 10 years ago as a private family lodge. In fact, the 8 bungalows at Manja Kely all carry the different names of the owner’s grandchildren, one of whom inherited the lodge upon his grandfather’s passing a few years ago and who then decided to convert the gorgeous property into a commercial operation.

The 8 bungalows of Manja Kely along with a large swimming pool and an elevated bar and restaurant area, lie scattered across a forested hillside on the eastern side of Nosy Komba island where they enjoy stunning views out over the sea towards the morning sunrises on the horizon! Just about all the lodges and villas on Nosy Komba island enjoy similar elevated hillside positions and whilst the resulting gorgeous views are a huge plus, the negative is that you need to be aware that you’re likely to have to tackle quite a number of stairs - and Manja Kely stands out even amongst the other lodges on Nosy Komba in  this regard, so it’s definitely not the best choice if you’re allergic to tackling stairs!

The rooms are a mix of standard bungalows (including 2 Family Bungalows which boast 2 separate bedrooms sharing a common bathroom) as well as a couple of Suites for those couples looking for something more spacious. The Standard Bungalows are all built in simple yet attractive traditional style with wooden floors and lovely open-thatched ceilings – we particularly enjoy the bathrooms with their modern fittings and large walk-in showers. If there’s any criticism at all it’s probably that the rooms lack large windows and are therefore a little on the dark side. However that really isn’t a big issue as the stand-out feature is that the bungalows all boast a wide shaded terrace deck, with a dining table, sun loungers, and in some cases, cozy sofas – ideal for relaxing while enjoying the stunning views out over the sea. From your terrace, you can let yourself be lulled by the sound of the waves and watch sea turtles swim gently by, or perhaps spot dolphins in the early morning as they approach the shoreline – a magical experience, right from your bungalow!

Our favourite of all the rooms at Manja Kely though has to be the lovely Suite No. 7 which boasts a stunning location perched just above the beach - it's definitely the most attractive (and expensive) of all the rooms at Manja Kely, hugely spacious, light and airy courtesy of the large sliding doors which open out onto the massive deck perched above the rocks lining the ocean. Then there’s a separate lounge and dining room area as well as a spacious bathroom with twin vanities and walk-in shower. It’s a great option for honeymooners or romantics who can even enjoy their meals in the comfort of their Suite!

Talking of dining, the main dining deck and bar area was still being finished off when our Barefoot Breaks team visited the lodge in late May, so we’re eagerly awaiting pics of the finished article. The same applies to the large swimming pool which was having a new surrounding wooden deck fitted during their visit.

Now whilst it’s perfectly feasible to spend the entirety of your holiday relaxing on your deck or around the pool or lounging on the small beach just to the side of the lodge, or perhaps enjoying a gentle game of pétanque or massage, Manja Kely is actually the perfect springboard to explore the varied attractions of the archipelago. The lodge’s brand new and comfortable boats are your passport to a wide range of different excursions and activities. A particular highlight is the chance to explore different islands like Nosy Tanikely, Sakatia, Nosy Iranja or even the islands of the Mitsio archipelago to the north, enjoying lunch on a deserted beach after snorkelling on pristine coral reefs and swimming alongside turtles! There’s the chance to go out on whale watching excursions when they make their annual migration or perhaps to enjoy a magical encounter with whale sharks - not to mention deep-sea fishing and even wake boarding and water-skiing! (jet skis are also on the cards down the line)