Explore the equisite surroundings of the island of Nosy
Be on this 8 day Island Dhow Camping and Bungalow
accommodated trip. Relax on unspoilt beaches, snorkel
with whale sharks and fish for game.
Overall operator rating 9.7/10 from 24 trip reviews
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They did a great job setting up our safari - which had very specific time guidelines as I had to fit it into school holidays.
The operator made sure we were picked up at every airport and at every lodge to be taken to the next event. We had the most marvelous time at Camp Dizhana (about 1 1/2 hours north of Maun), where we were given the most comfortable tent and the most individual and professional attention.
I must have exchanged about 30 e-mails with my contact (Tanya) prior to the trip, where she answered my questions, suggested specific activities and lodges or camps, and ultimately came up with an internerary tailored to my needs.
Everything worked our perfectly! I have no problem highly recommending their service.
We took the 14 day Botswana mobile safari (camping only) from J'burg to Victoria Falls. Our guide, Blessed, was very personable, knowledgeable, and hardworking, as was the driver we had for most of the trip, Sage. He basically doubled as another guide. Also, both were very environmentally-conscious, showing a great appreciation for the animals and landscape, and ensuring that we left "only footprints".
In Africa, you have to take what it gives you. For us, the rainy season basically went a month longer than usual, which made it impossible to get to two of our destinations. We missed Kubu Island, but the operator compensated for this by putting us up in a very nice lodge in Maun (the Thamalakane River Lodge). Also, because the roads were flooded and impassable, we were not able to get to the mokoro rides in the Okavongo Delta, but again they compensated with a cruise on the Zambesi that included all food and beverages (including alcohol). That was very generous of them.
The camping and campsites were excellent, as was the food. The lodge we stayed at in Victoria Falls (the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge) exceeded my expectations - very nice. The group of 8 was the right size, and the vehicles were great for the roads and for game viewing. We saw all of the big 5 and just about every other animal we could think of. My favorite Park was Chobe, which is extremely dense with animals. The Chobe River is beautiful and also had a very nice cruise.
After this trip we took another 6 day safari in Kruger with a different outfit, and this one was clearly the better of the two.
this was a terific trip for cost. The guide (Garland) was excetional, the accomodations were good to great, the front office of the agency was always courteous and professional, the itineray was rich, the activites all doable, the group (whild divided) ended up with great cohesion.
it has opend my thinking to a new way to travel-overland journeys. compiments to the operator.
The Safari I experienced through Botswana, Namibia and into SA was very enjoyable indeed.
The lodges I stayed were very comfortable, the people that ran the smaller lodges were very welcoming and kind. the food was plentiful with lots of choices.
I travelled in a group of 8 which was a perfect amount for our size of vehicle as well it was a good size for organizing and group decisions.
And for myself the high light would be all the big animals we were able to observe and photograph. Overall the trip was a wonderful experience with lots of memories and new friends to have for a long time.
I am pleased to say that my safari/holiday was wonderful.
I delt with Nadia for everything except my hotel reservations. She was quite helpful and took care of all my needs. We communicated through emails and I called her once I had arrived in South Africa. The service was second to none.
She booked me with a 5 day walking safari. The safari group consisted of myself and 7 others with 2 guides. I was apprehensive at first traveling alone, but I could not have emagined that I would meet such wonderful people. Also the guides were very knowledgable and went the extra mile to insure that we all had a memerable experience.
The camp was more that i expected and I could not have been more comfortable. Although I have never been on a safari before this trip and have nothing to compare it too I give it a 10 out of 10. I would recomend this package to anyone, weither they are traveling alone or as a family. The 5 to 6 hour hikes in the morning were pleasant and gave me the opportunity to see the small details of the bush, and the afternoon and evening drives were amazing as we were able to get close to lots of game.
Unfortunately we did not see and of the big cats but a 30 minute encounter with a male elephant at less than 20 meters made up for anything I didn't see.
My daughter and I recently completed a 21 day trip from Cape Town to Victoria Falls.
It was an amazing and beautiful experience that exceeded all of our expectations and cannot be easily described. Our 8 travel companions were fantastic, there was not one day when we did not laugh and truly enjoyed ourselves, and we are already making plans for future travel with these newly made friends.
Everything was extremely well organized and things went as planned along our long route, with great selection of campsites and lodges and delicious meals that one could not have imagined could be prepared by a campfire.
Of course, having a great guide is what made a difference. Mike is extremely knowledgeable and has a love for the area that is contagious.
Thumbs up for keeping their groups small, for a well-planned route, for carefully selected sites, and for all the people who work there. Working with them was a pleasure, they were extremely helpful from the minute we started planning our trip, with all our questions, getting birthday’s organized and all their extraordinary efforts in helping us with visas, logistics, etc. We would highly recommend them
The tour I have recently taken part in was absolutely stunning:rich in emotions, colours and sounds which are still in my heart.
A special thank to Amina, who saved my life by promptly warning me the carrier I booked the flight with (by my own), went bankrupt in the meatime, and to Chantel, whose superb "lasagne" I will never forget...
I recently returned from the 14 day Upgraded Botswana Wildlife Breakaway Safari.
We were a great group of 10 - 2 Irish, 5 Americans and 3 Australians and were fortunate to have the services of driver/ guide Mike Miles.
He really made our trip special, sharing his extensive knowledge of the wildlife, customs, history and politics of the countries we visited during the drives and around the campfires as we ate the delicious meals he prepared. He left no stone unturned to maximise our enjoyment of the safari. In the main our lodges were good. The itinerary was well thought out and we saw lots of animals but alas no cheetah, leopard or rhino. A pleasant surprise for me was the amazing variety of birdlife we encountered. The mokoro trip through the Okavango Delta was magical.
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Madagascar (Nosy Be or Antananarivo) If you arrive into Nosy Be airport in the afternoon or evening, you will be met by the Skipper, tour guide and captain of the dhow, and transferred to the Bed & Breakfast in Hell-ville. Restaurants and nightlife are there for you to explore at your own leisure and own expense. If your flights dictate a 1 night stay in Antananarivo on the first evening, you will spend the night in a small guest house in Antananarivo, arriving to Nosy be on the morning of day 2.
Days 2 - 7: Various islands We board the dhow and set sail for the islands! [BLD]
During the next 7 days (6 nights) we will sail to some of the following islands. Please note these are dependant on weather and tide conditions:
Russian Bay – (also known as Ambavatory Bay), is a beautiful and remote place opposite the Nosy Be archipelago. Enjoy the fantastic marine life for snorkelling and fishing, and maybe you might spot a whale (in season – from October to December) or a rare Whale shark. The tropical woods harbour abundant birdlife, reptiles and lemurs. We may use A-frame bungalows on Russian Bay, instead of camping.
Mahalina – we spend time here relaxing in the beautiful surroundings, or kayaking up the mangrove swamps. The area is great for snorkelling, fishing and spear-fishing. We may use A-frame bungalows on Mahalina, instead of camping.
Lokobie reserve – a protected reserve, Lokobe offers wildlife galore with the likelihood of you spotting several lemur species, colourful chameleons and maybe a snake or two amid the forest!
Nosy Tanikely – a marine reserve teeming with underwater flora and fauna, allowing us the chance for some superb snorkeling in warm waters with great visibility. You are likely to spot an amazing variety of marine life; from coral, starfish and anemones to every colour and shape of fish - and perhaps a turtle if you are lucky! With a bit of luck, we may be able to spot the ring-tailed Lemurs while stepping on to Terra Firma.
Nosy Komba – a island with quaint villages, craft markets and famed for its habituated Lemurs, who may take a jump onto your shoulders!
Day 8: Hell-Ville and end of Dhow experience Sail back to Hell-Ville port where our dhow adventure comes to an end. Catch your return flight to Antananarivo where you may need to overnight before returning to your home destination the following day. [B]
Highlights: Nosy Be, Whale Sharks (In Season), Russian Bay, Mahalina, Lokobe, snorkelling at Nosy Tanikely and/or Ankazbiravina, Nosy Komba.
Included in the price: Use of bungalows and full camping equipment, all sea transport in a fully kitted motorized Dhow, use of sea kayaks on Dhow, all meals on the boat or at camp, one bottle of mineral water per person per day, transfers to and from Nosy Be airport (if clients do not stay on in Nosy Be).
Not included in the price: International and domestic flights and their taxes, all optional excursions mentioned in the program, all personal expenses, travel and medical insurance, tips, drinks, visas, diving, snorkelling and fishing equipment, any meals not mentioned in the itinerary, transfer from Nosy Be to the airport (if clients stay on after the Dhow trip has ended).
Price per person 2012*: Adult Fare (from 12 years upwards) USD 960 Single supplement: USD 18
Child Fare (from 8 to 11 years) USD 835 Single supplement: USD 18
* Rates are subject to change * No flights included
