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This was one of the best holidays of my life and owes much to the arrangements, consideration and organisation of tour operator'. The hotels and lodges were well chosen. The itinerary was very well planned and this enabled me to see many of the lemurs, birds, chameleons, lizards snakes and other animals. Also, the travels enabled me to view much of the terrain and countryside and learn a lot of the people and their ways of life.
To achieve this, I was fortunate to have joined Klaus for a few days followed by the remainder of my time with tour leader Lucien. Both went out of their way to ensure that I had all of the support and information necessary. Their experience and in depth knowledge coupled with the choice of excellent local guides to the National Parks and other areas ensured that I achieved all of my aims.
I waited for around 50 years before eventually making the trip. This operator made it that much more worthwhile.
Our guide Tina who met us at the airport and escorted us throughout our trip, could not have been more helpful. She was also extremely knowledgeable.
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip, seeing many kinds of lemur and indri as well as rare birds and reptiles.
The driver was also excellent, negotiating bad and overcrowded roads safely.
We can recommend a trip with this company.
3
Client:
Shula Harel - from United States
Trip:
currently unavailable
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
Thank you for referring the tour organizer in Madagascar.
I went to Madagascar in July with 2 of my grand kids ages 18 and 15 and all of us enjoyed the experience. The planing was great, our needs were always met. We saw as many animals as was possible and mixed with the local people. Our guide knew the local language and with a joke always got the best for us.
I highly recommend the operator as a reliable efficient travel co who always responds within 24 hours, and the fact that they are local, living in Madagascar and yet know the needs of the western visitor played an important roll in the success of our 19 days stay in Madagascar.
4
Client:
Brenda Davidson Tupis - from United States
Trip:
currently unavailable
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
We had a wonderful experience on our recent trip to Madagascar. I highly reccommend the operator.
They paid great attention to detail to make us as safe and comfortable as possible. They made every effort to obtain the best hotels available in each area that we were in. Our guide, Klaus, was knowledgable, prompt, helpful, and couldn't have done anything better. There were no glitches or problems. The rental cars used were in good repair and we had no problems with them.
We spent 3 weeks in Madagascar on a tour entirely arranged the operator. They did an extremely good job. Although we didn't book too well in advance they made a great effort to get a trip together that would reflect our interests and ideas. While planning the trip they were always quick to answer questions and would adjust the itinerary whenever possible.
During the journey we experienced two guides, Klaus and Brigitte and they were both extremely dedicated to their job. Also, they were aware of wishes that occurred during the trip and did their best to help us. They were always paying attention to our comfort and to giving us the best experiences and impressions of Madagascar. They were both very knowledgeable with a large insight in Malagassy history, culture, environment and wildlife. Any practical issues were efficiently taken care of and everything was surprisingly close to being on schedule.
We are happy to recommend them. Although their website isn't the most fancy one in the market of tour operators, the company is very professional and trustworthy. Do not hesitate to let them know what you wish to see and do in Madagascar.
Madagascar lived up to its reputation as a unique island. The operator did a wonderful job in organising a tour to suit our requests & fit in with our dates. He also was the guide on the tour so the personal touch was much appreciated.
We would recommend Madagascar to anyone wanting to explore somewhere exciting & adventurous.
It was a most wonderful trip,thank you for referring us to this company.
Our June 17 day experience in Madagascar was extraordinary.
The two German guides who reside in Madagascar were extremely helpful in all regards: they were always accomodating our needs, advising us as to where best to buy or to observe lemurs or chameleons, helping us with everything (including some lost luggage of 3 of our fellow travellers).
We got an excellent idea of the people, the customs, the bright and the not so bright aspects of modern Madagascar. We got to see very beautiful sights inthree of the four principal regions fo the huge island, sensing the diversity of the tribal traits, the architectural variations and even the hat designs that each tribe has. We tailored a tour that included many of the natural wonders of this unique island as well as very good prices for the costs involved.
Our visit to Madagascar would not have been as memorable as it was without this operator. We highly recommend them!
9
Client:
Jenny Ward - from United Kingdom
Trip:
currently unavailable
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
18th Sept-15th Oct Crossing Madagascar
This tour was 28 days of exploration and travel in the capable hands of our guide.
It was an excellent, well thought out itinerary taking us from the east to the west coast and finally south. Our travelling days were broken up with pirogue trips, park visits,whale watching, beach days walking tours and visits to local craftshops.We explored both national and private parks where most of our English speaking guides proved extremely well-informed and enthusiastic.
The trip was full of wonderful experiences but the highlights for me were the singing and dancing entertainment by candlelight Chez John a 72 year old Malagasy full of vitality and humour; watching a humpback whale and her calf off Isle Saint Marie and Berenty Reserve which our very professional, knowledgable and charming guide Benoit brought to life for us. The night walk was magical.
I am delighted to give you a feed back of my experience:
As you know this was a charity challenge rather than a holiday and therefore expectations from the clients would have been a little different from the usual holiday maker.
However from my point of view , as charity organiser - and I had a great deal of input into the itinerary etc. etc. of this challenge - I had one major concern before the event and that was that the ground arrangments - i.e. the operator - may not be able to cope with the size of our group and the logistics that needed to go with that.
I can honestly say that having done several of these challenges in different parts of the world, this operator did one of the best ground handling jobs that I have encountered.
They were professional, slick and extremely efficient. It was so successful that I have decided to run the same event in 2007 and I sincerely hope that this operator will be working for us again.
12Next
Itinerary
Daily departure on small nature and wildlife groups
14 days nature and wildlife adventure in Madagascar
On this tour we choose modest hotels and lodges with less comforts, but clean and with private facilities. Our goal is to see and enjoy as much as possible of the nature and wildlife of our country. Therefore two full days leads us in the National parks of Andasibe-Mantadia and Ranomafana to explore these as comprehensively as possible. During the next 14 days we learn about this fascinating and endangered flora and fauna of Madagascar.
Small groups of nature lovers: Can start daily froam Antananarivo. This tour is possible all year. The best season is from March to November. Your personal travel dates should be based on your time frame. The given prices are on a group basis. Our groups are small and international. Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between six to 12 like minded travellers and you'll have a tour manager with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people. While itinerary is scheduled there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as experiencing new cultures. If you prefer an idividual tour please ask for an offer.
Day 1, Touching down in Antananarivo, 'town of thousands' Today is an arrival day. You are free to arrive at any time. Upon arrival in Antananarivo you will be greeted by your tour manager and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Antananarivo, mostly cut to Tana, takes its name from an episode in Malagasy history. King Andrianjaka, who had his royal palace and stronghold erected called One thousand warriors, quartered them there and he called this city Antananarivo.
Day 2, Antananarivo – Andasibe, 'into the country of the Betsimisaraka' This morning we start our 140 km drive eastward through the highlands to Andasibe. On the way we will stop off at a Exotic Reptile Park. Here you can see some of the endemic chameleons, snakes, insects and reptiles of Madagascar. Andasibe, a former logging village, is the base for exploring the Andasibe-Mantadia NP, also known by its pre-colonial French name, Perinet Special Reserve. After lunch, we drive past villages belonging to the Betsimisaraka ethnic group. This group, unified from rival groups into a single entity by the son of an English pirate and a Malagasy princess, was once the most powerful group on the east coast of Madagascar with a name meaning 'the many inseparable ethnic groups'. Tonight we take a night walk to look for night active lemurs and other night active animals.
Day 3, Andasibe-Mantadia NP, the mythic Indri The eastern rainforest Reserve of Andasibe-Mantadia is one of the last strongholds of the mythical Indri-Indri lemur, the largest of all lemurs. The animals and birds are most active in the early morning and there should be good opportunities to see and hear the lemurs. The black and white coated Indri-Indri is an extraordinary Lemur, known for its wailing call. Indri's are active on and off throughout the day but are best seen in the morning. Later we visit Mantadia National Park that is as well in the region to see the Diadema Sifaka – a rare lemur of the island. Mantadia also contains a wide variety of fauna and flora in the moist mountain forest, including beautiful and varied insects, spiders, butterflies, reptiles and many orchids. After searching for the lemurs and other fauna we walk into the orchid park to admire Madagascar's beautiful flora.
Day 4, Mitsinjo Association Forest station This morning we will also rise up early to visit the Mitsinjo Association Forest station that is as well in the region to see once more the Indri. This short-tailed primate may reach an age up to 60 years and lives in families from two to six individuals. Also we hope to see chameleons, frogs and other animals. After searching for the lemurs and other fauna we walk into the orchid park to admire Madagascar's beautiful flora.
Day 5, Andasibe – Antsirabe Drive to the spa of Antsirabe. Antsirabe known as the city where we can find much minerals, across the highland landscape with its beautiful rice fields and its spectacular eroded hills called lavaka. The drive takes in lush green landscape where vegetables and fruits are farmed. En-route we stop in Ambatolampy for a short visit, a huge agricultural city and very well known as capital bay-foot production. Antsirabe, founded by Norwegian missionaries as a health retreat, is an industrial and agricultural centre. Also we find here the Star brewery, the only brewery in Madagascar. We stay for the night in centre town, our hotel is surrounded by an elegant garden.
Day 6, Antsirabe – Ranomafana Our next destination is Ranomafana National Park, where we will spend three nights. After breakfast we take a short drive to the town of Ambositra, where we will see some artwork of the Zafimaniry woodcarvers. Their carvings got recently UNESCO cultural heritage. From Ambositra we continue south. The landscape is dominated by rice fields, forests of pine and eucalyptus and rocky mountains. Ranomafana, literally meaning hot water, is a very pretty village surrounded by hills and the Namorona River.
Day 7, Ranomafana NP We will enjoy a day walk in the park embarking on a trek in the Ranomafana rainforest. Probably we will find lots of birds, frogs, lemurs and other species. We hope to see Red-bellied lemurs, Red-fronted lemurs, and Diadema Sifakas. Although present, the Golden bamboo Lemur and the Broad-nosed gentle Lemur, are more difficult to find. The park is also flora rich with orchids, tree ferns, palms mosses, trumpet flowers and stands of giant bamboo.
Day 8, Ranomafana NP Another full day to explore the Ranomafana NP. The Park covers some 41000 hectares of rolling hills, cloud forest, streams and areas of dense vegetation. The park was created in 1991 to protect the flora and fauna, in particular the Golden bamboo Lemur found in 1987 and the Greater bamboo Lemur, two of the rarest species of Madagascar's lemurs. Ranomafana is also home to 26 mammal species including 12 species of lemurs, abundant numbers of geckos, chameleons and frogs as well as not less than nearly 100 species of birds.
Day 9, Ranomafana – Ambalavao Leaving Ranomafana we drive through a number of small villages before reaching Sahambavy Tea Estate, the only tea plantation in Madagascar. The tea estate created in 1970, set in a pretty valley beside Lake Sahambavy, produces large quantities of tea for both export to Mombassa (Kenya) and for local consumption. A tour will take us through all aspects from picking to packaging. After lunch we drive to the nearby city of Fianarantsoa for a short city tour before we continue southward to Ambalavao. Fianarantsoa is the capital of Betsileo ethnic group. The landscape is again superb with great views of vineyards, terraced rice paddies and rocky outcrops. Ambalavao, with its brightly painted buildings, is a beautiful town. We visit nearby Soavita vineyard for wine tasting as well as the Antaimoro Paper factory. The paper factory is a vestige of the Arabian civilisation in the island. Here paper is made from scratch using the bark of the avoha bush. After a series of steps, fresh flowers are pressed into the paper to make attractive cards, envelopes and picture frames.
Day 10, Ambalavao – Anja Park, a self-help initiative of community based mountain tourism – Ranohira Bizarre landscapes of towering cliffs await us in the small nature reserve of Anja with superb scenery, plants, Betsileo history, caves and tombs and ring-tailed lemurs. We take a two-hour walk into the park before continuing along the road to Isalo. Passing the sleepy town of Ihosy that is the capital of the ethnic group of the Bara people. Ihosy serves as a transition between the green highlands of central Madagascar and the dry south. If time allows we catch sunset at the 'Fenêtre de l’Isalo'. This natural rock window offers the opportunity for a great sunset photo. This natural rock window, covered with green and orange lichen, offers views over the surrounding plain.
Day 11, Isalo NP This park is fiercely beautiful with golden plains punctuated by craggy pinnacles of terracotta rock, valleys, canyons and waterfalls. The Isalo National Park comprises the entire stretch of the Isalo massif. This huge mountain is spectacular with its eroded sandstone mountain. Our adventure begins with a trek in the Park. In this surreal park we trek through landscapes formed by centuries of erosion and fascinating sandstone formations. This massive uniform of the Jurassic era is the cradle of a particular wild nature and an exceptional landscape. We walk to the canyons, we look for ring-tailed and other lemurs. We can refresh ourselves on the way at a waterfall or a natural pool.
Day 12, Ranohira – Zombitse-Vohibasia NP – Arboretum d'Antsokay – Toliara (Tuléar) – Ifaty Drive to Toliara (Tuléar), the terminal of the National road N° 7. On the way we stop at Zombitse NP for a short walk in order to look for our chance to observe the Apperts Greenbul. Later we visit the Arboretum d'Antsokay for endemic plants of Madagascar, collected by a Swiss biologist over decades. On the road we experience new scenery that is comprised of the dry forest of the west, the spiny desert of the south and the spectacular baobabs. The region here is the driest part of the country. The landscape is dominated by spiny forest-like cactus and different Euphorbia plants. We stop at the Mahafaly and Antandroy tombs. These tombs are works of art, constructed by the community, to honour the deceased. From Toliara we drive north along the coast to Ifaty where our accommodation for the next two nights is.
Day 13, Ifaty, forest and beaches Ifaty. Here we have a break. The coral reef represents an exceptional spot. In the western area we can find the local fauna and flora like baobabs, birds… The crystal clear water of the ocean attracts a range of wonderful coloured fish. Later we visit the ‘village des tortues’ an observation station for tortoises. In a natural park east of the lagoon of Ranobe this village develops, among other activities, reproduction programs. Another highlight on this excursion is the opportunity to admire and photograph the strange looking Baobab Trees of Madagascar as well as some succulents. We visit also the small museum that is attached to the centre where you may get some more information about the project.
Day 14, Ifaty – Toliara Today we bid farewell to the forests of Ifaty and return to Tuléar, where our tour ends on the airport.
Prices 2012 in Euro per person.
Small nature and wildlife groups: 1750 Euro per person sharing, single room surcharge 310 Euro
This tour can start daily
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between six to 12 like minded travellers and you'll have a tour manager with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people. While itinerary is scheduled there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as experiencing new cultures. If you prefer an individual tour please ask for an offer.
Complementary Information: Duration of the tour: 14 days Car or minibus: 3,5 days plus transfers Parks: 5 days plus several tours of two or three hours, two full days in Andasibe-Mantadia and Ranomafana NP Excursions: 1,5 days
Included: English speaking tour manager Overnight in the mentioned or similar hotels in double room Breakfast Day 2 – 14 and 1 ½ l of mineral water per person per day Going by car or Minibus, all transfers All entrance fees Local guides in all visited parks
Not included: International and domestic flights Drinks except mentioned Beach activities Private expenses Insurance
The tour can be changed according to circumstances.
Please note: for this tour are domestic flights required that are not included in the tour price. This tour is customisable an private base.
Daily departure on small nature and wildlife groups
