Isalo Rock Lodge

Named for the massif it sits above, Isalo Rock Lodge takes its bearings from a national park gazetted in 1962 across 81,540 hectares of eroded sandstone. That plateau, cut by canyons and grassland and dotted with Sakalava tombs hidden among the rocks, gives the lodge its 60 rooms their view: sandstone cliffs falling to forest, seen through the restaurant's glass panels rather than description. Rooms come in three grades, Eco, Standard and Superior, each with a balcony fitted with deckchairs. An infinity pool holds the mountain view. Below the lodge, marked trails lead to the Canyon des Singes, the natural pools of Piscine Naturelle and Giorgio's Window, a rock opening framing sunset over the massif. It is a five-minute walk to the park's interpretation centre. Ring-tailed lemurs and Verreaux's sifaka move through the gallery forest nearby, alongside Oustalet's chameleon and some 55 recorded bird species. A guide, hired in the nearby town of Ranohira, is required for park entry. Evenings run to a campfire with Malagasy folk music, or a drink at the Rock Bar as the sandstone darkens. The 100-seat restaurant serves a rotating mix of European and Malagasy dishes built around simple, well-made plates rather than elaborate presentation.