The North of Madagascar is a real adventure! Explore
one of Madagascar's most diverse rainforests -
Montagne d'Ambre and find night lemurs, the world's
smallest chamelons, hidden waterfalls
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: Arrival to Antananarivo You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Antananarivo, the picturesque capital of Madagascar. With its bustling markets, friendly people and ancient town on a hill with freestone churches and ancient royal places, it is unique among the world’s other capitals. [B]
Accommodation: Residence Lapasoa or similar.
Day 2: Antananarivo – Diego Suarez – Montagne d’Ambre You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Diego Suarez, where you will be collected at the airport. We then drive directly to Montagne d'Ambre National Park, which covers 18,200 ha of a prominent volcanic massif and with its striking scenery, rainforest and waterfalls, it is one of Madagascar’s most visited natural attractions. It was created in 1958 to protect the massif and its ecosystems, including the region’s unique flora and fauna. In the Park you will have the chance to see seven species of lemurs, the aye-aye, the ring-tailed mongoose and a variety of reptiles including frogs, geckos and chameleons, as well as more than 70 species of birds. [B]
Accommodation: Nature Lodge.
Day 3:Montagne d’Ambre - Ankarana Today we head to Ankarana - a nature reserve with karst pinnacles, sacred caves, underground rivers and beautiful scenery. The rich and diverse flora and fauna includes many lemurs and interesting bird species. Its limestone pinnacles are called tsingy formations. Running through and under the tsingy are hidden forest-filled canyons and numerous subteranean rivers. We will explore the extensive cave system, which includes several fascinating bat-filled grottoes. [BL]
Accommodation: Hotel Relais de l’Ankarana.
Day 4: Ankarana - Ankify In the morning we will go for a visit of the Ankarana nature reserve, where once again you will have the chance to admire the remarkably rich and varied vegetation and the abundant wildlife of the reserve. Later we drive to Ankify - a small village situated along the white sand beach. [B]
Accommodation: Hotel le Baobab or similar.
Day 5: Ankify – Nosy Be Today you will go on a boat transfer to Nosy Be where you will be transferred by car and boat to your hotel. Nosy Be, commonly known as “the island of perfumes” and the largest of Madagascar’s offshore islands, is a beautiful tropical island covered with palm trees and bougainvillea. Nosy Be is a beautiful place where you could easily spend the entire day simply watching the changing hues of blue in the sea and the sky. In addition to its attractive beaches, the island’s assets include luxuriant foliage, friendly people and a relaxed Indian Ocean ambience. [BD]
Accommodation: Sakatia Towers.
Day 6: Nosy Be This day in Nosy Be is at leisure. Visit the Lokobe Reserve, a rainforest reserve that protects most of Nosy Be’s endemic vegetation. You might see lemurs, birds and chameleons. Or go on a day-cruise to the islands "Nosy Komba"- the island of lemurs or "Nosy Tanikely"- an underwater reserve offering a rich diversity of marine life, such as beautiful corals and a big variety of fish, with excellent diving and snorkelling opportunities. Fish you might see include surgeonfish, clown fish, barracuda, manta rays, sea urchins, starfish, eels, anemones and many more. At the end of the afternoon we will go back to the hotel where you will have the chance to enjoy the amenities on offer. [BD]
Accommodation: Sakatia Towers.
Day 7: Nosy Be - Antananarivo You will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Antananarivo, where a transfer will take you to your hotel in Antananarivo, the picturesque capital of Madagascar. You can wander through the capital’s steep and narrow streets, taking in its architecture, atmosphere and pace. Or you can climb up to the old rova (palace) and enjoy the views over Antananarivo and the surrounding countryside. The town is at its best in the evening when the setting sun spectacularly illuminates its hillsides. [B]
Accommodation: Residence Lapasoa or similar.
Day 8: Antananarivo – home destination Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Johannesburg, where your unforgettable tour ends. We hope to welcoming you in Madagascar again very soon! [B]
Highlights: Antananarivo, Montagne d’Ambre National Park, Ankarana nature reserve with its tsingy and caves, Nosy Be (A further extension in Nosy Be is possible).
Included in the price: Accommodation is based on a Bed & Breakfast basis at mid range hotels, (except in Ankarana which is a basic lodge on a half board basis, and at Sakatia Towers where you will stay on half board basis), all transfers and transport mentioned in the program, all park and reserve entrance fees, specialist guides in the parks and reserves as per program, all excursions mentioned in the program, an English-speaking guide.
Not included in the price: International and domestic flights, airport taxes, all excursions not mentioned in the program, bottled water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, laundry, visas and travel insurance, all lunches (except in Ankarana), all dinners except at Sakatia Towers), personal items, excursions in Nosy Be. (Flights from/to Johannesburg can be arranged by us.
Price per person 2012: 2 pax: USD 1695 4 pax: USD 1555 6 pax: USD 1440 Single supplement: USD 410 Rate for single traveller: USD 2950 (no additional single supplement required)
Supplement for upgraded accommodation in Nosy Be and Antananarivo: US$ 220, single supplement US$ 325
* Please note that internal flights should be booked in conjunction with international flights and the rates are subject to class, availability and change.
