These floating bungalows and rooms on stilts lie on a tributary of the River Gambia, 45 minutes from the West African coast. Venture out by canoe in search of the monitor lizards, baboons, and myriad bird species that inhabit the surrounding mangroves. —Brendan Brady

The Mandina Lodges, Makasutu Culture Forest, Gambia. 44/(0) 1489-866939, gambia.co.uk. From $1,346 per person per week, including breakfast and dinner. Photo courtesy of lodging. This appeared in the September/October 2010 issue. See more overwater bungalows.