Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!

Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!

Haven’t posted your review yet? Here’s how to do it…

Once you return from your Exodus adventure holiday, you will be emailed a link to add your review. Any feedback collected is posted onto our website, totally unedited.

Alternatively you can navigate to the relevant trip page and add your review via the Reviews tab.

Select a trip specific review:

Select

17 Reviews

4.6 out of 5

David Knass

Reviewed October 2023

Once in a Lifetime Trip

The main objective of this wildlife trip was met in that we saw 14 species of lemur thanks to the efforts of the local guides and their spotters. This was interspersed with about 90 species of birds over two thirds of which were endemic species with examples from most of the endemic families. Other wildlife such as reptiles and other mammals were few and far between mainly because the majority these are nocturnal. The travel between the National Parks enabled us to have a good insight into the culture, beliefs and customs of the local people together with visiting various historical sites. We found the hotels better than we might have expected and particularly enjoyed the 3 nights at the beach hotel at Anakao. The food also was generally good especially the fish and seafood at Anakao. Wifi was available everywhere we stayed. Insects didn’t seem to be a problem. You should easily have enough local currency if you follow the Exodus advice and most of us changed currency back to Euros at the airport before coming home.

Most Inspirational Moment

It has to be the lemurs and the anticipation as we approached each species in particular the Indri. Snorkelling off Nosy Ve and swimming in the warm ocean was the non wildlife highlight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sol was excellent and organised the arrangements faultlessly for the six of us on the trip.. He also sorted out any special needs of individuals without any fuss. He was informative throughout whether it related to wildlife or culture and was good company. His background included wildlife guiding, in particular birds and reptiles, which is ideal for this type of trip. Although the weather was quite hot at times Sol always made sure we all had adequate water. Special mention should be made too of Andry our brilliant driver who was very careful and didn't put a foot wrong throughout and made the journeys as comfortable as possible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The Trip Notes and previous reviews cover essential information. It is a good idea to search out some publications and read about the island before travelling other than that found in the standard travel guides.

Suggestions

Although expected it was disappointing to see the lack of wildlife in between the National Parks particularly in the first week or so. The Malagasy have by necessity made use of virtually every square metre of countryside in particular for the production of food, building materials or fuel which has driven out all other forms of nature. The history of deforestation is disheartening and many species are still under threat of extinction. The state of the roads in places is poor which adds extensively to travel time so on several days we did not arrive at our hotel until dusk. Although slow progress can be tedious there is nearly always something of interest to see on the journeys so treat it as a once in a lifetime experience. On the day at Ranomafana the guiding ended at lunchtime so we hired the guide for the afternoon to find a few more birds (harder than you might think in the rainforest) but in the event turned up two more lemur species! It would have also been nice to spend more time at the reserves in particular Andisabe as you don't visit Mantadia on this trip, however the only way to do this would be to add additional days. It was a privilege to visit the country and meet it's friendly people.

Louisa Green

Reviewed November 2022

Great trip, just a few unfortunate moments

A lovely trip exploring the highlights of Madagascar, staying in some beautiful hotels with plenty of wildlife seen (13 different species of lemur, many frogs, chemeleons, geckos, kingfishers, flamingos) and beautiful scenery. The local guides are exceptional with their level of knowledge and ability to answer all questions! However for context, I visited Costa Rica with Exodus in 2019 and personally I thought it was better than Madagascar in terms of the amount of wildlife seen, and therefore value for money. Just be aware that not every single day on this trip is jam-packed with wildlife viewing. For the first six days of the trip, four of them (8am til 6pm) were entirely on the bus. The long driving days on difficult roads are not to be underestimated, and can feel frustrating at times but really is the only way that x6 national parks in two weeks can be covered. Perhaps naively, I wasn’t prepared for the level of poverty seen, it is extremely sobering and does tug at the heartstrings. All in all a great trip, just with a few unfortunate bits along the way and the only things which let it down for me were the food and the group demographics. With a fitter and more like-minded group, and a less ‘beige’ diet, this trip would have been absolutely perfect.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Bodo was absolutely fantastic. Our every need was met, we arrived on time for everything and her nightly briefings explaining tomorrow's timings and activities were fantastic. There were some more 'difficult' members in our group but Bodo dealt with each situation professionally and calmly. She did a brilliant job of sharing her beautiful country with us. Most of us also fell ill with some variation of a 'dodgy stomach' at some point over the trip and Bodo was lovely throughout and very caring.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Age-suitability/fitness - please consider your own level of fitness and agility for the sake of yourself, your leader and the rest of the group. In our group of 11 we had two people, not a couple, in their 70s - one spent most of the holiday with vomiting and diarrhoea, and the other fainted one hour into a beautiful flat trek in our first national park, from standing up for too long. Not to sound unkind, but these two scenarios were not fair on the guides, group leader or the rest of the group. The trek in Ranformana is pretty treacherous in parts, and there are some challenging climbs and difficult descents. Our leader Bodo was brilliant though and arranged for the younger fitter folk to be taken ahead by the guide, to save us having to stop every 10 minutes (literally) for a water break for the elderly and unfit out-of-breath group members. In Isalo, it was blisteringly hot (35 degrees plus, in the shade) and dry when walking in the canyons, again we had to stop every 100m to stop the older people from fainting. Whilst I understand that activities need to be inclusive, it was annoying to have spent the entire previous day on the bus, only to finally go for a trek at a rate of 3km in 3 hours. Again, I really don't mean to sound unkind, but these holidays are not cheap and have been much anticipated after a long spell of not travelling during Covid. So when you miss seeing the lemurs ahead you because it takes so long for the group to get going, it's beyond irritating. So taken together and in my opinion, you don't have to have the fitness of an Olympian but this trip is much better suited to younger people, or older people with a sound level of fitness/stamina who can keep to a decent pace on the walking/searing heat days. Additionally, and perhaps this is a generational thing, the two older group members were also the ones who insisted on taking pictures of the wildlife by shoving their phone within inches of the chameleon/spider/gecko every single time, often shaking the leaf or tree which they were perched on in the process. Not only is this selfish and doesn't let other group members see, but it's also far too intrusive to the natural world and by the fifth day of this, it caused a bit of a rift within the group. You don't come to the Southern hemisphere to have your view of a chameleon blocked by an iPhone. Food - only breakfasts are included in this trip, unlike other Exodus holidays. Meals are generally OK although very basic. Expect a lot of zebu & chips, chicken & chips, and very simple (non-filling) breakfasts, typically a hot drink, a very small amount of fruit, a thin omelette and hard bread. If you are vegetarian, there isn't much choice beyond pasta & veg, noodles & veg or couscous & veg but this is a reflection of life in Madagascar though, and not at all due to the standard of hotels, Exodus or efforts of our leader. A sense of camaraderie and a willingness to engage with others in the group is essential, as without this the long days on the road feel twice as long. There was a small group of us with this ethos who got on really well, and it made these journeys much more pleasant.

Suggestions

If you have any particular optional activities you would like to do on the free afternoons in Anako, I'd advise maybe asking the leader to call ahead and find out if they are available. I had budgeted some money for a scuba dive at the end of the trip, only to find out the day before that it was no longer an option, which was disappointing. Be aware that only breakfasts are included in this holiday, unlike other Exodus trips. As breakfasts are not buffet-style or especially filling, you will need to include more money than you think for meals and drinks.

Vicky La Trobe

Reviewed September 2022

How do you choose highlights?

What a remarkable journey of exploration, a rare opportunity to begin to understand, at first hand, a country, people, landscape and biodiversity unlike any I have experienced before. An intimate trip which does not try to disguise the challenges and difficulties of life in Madagascar but very honestly celebrates its diversity and energy. Whilst our main reason for taking the trip was the unique, endemic wildlife, which we were lucky enough to see so much of, we were equally staggered by the incredible range of environments and landscapes that we journeyed through and the glimpses that we got into the villages and lives of the proud, friendly people who call Madagascar home. Travelling by road in order to include so many high lights in 2 weeks is quite hard work, but surely the best way for any visitor to really appreciate this incredible country.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hearing the morning calls of the Indiri Indiris in the forest in Andasibe NP. Hearing those beautiful, mournful cries ringing out across the tree-tops was literally like listening to the voice of the rainforest and then shortly after being surrounded by a large family group of Diademed Sifakas and being with them for more than 20 minutes as they leaped and chattered- incredible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Armel was superb! What an absolute gem! His experience and professionalism made the trip the success it was. He worked tirelessly to ensure we enjoyed every possible experience and saw as much as we possibly could in the time available and became not just a tour leader, but a friend who made us feel genuinely welcome in his country. Organising and managing a trip like ours in Madagascar cannot be easy but Mel made it appear effortless. We cannot thank him enough for his hard work, enthusiasm and humour together with his encyclopedia knowledge.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't think twice about booking this trip! Please go and enjoy this country and its wildlife. The Exodus trip helps to support local businesses and aims to help local economies which is something very important to this country. Road journeys are long but they are worth it- don't be put off- the scenery is so diverse and beautiful. We travelled in September and the first half of the trip, especially in the higher altitudes, was cooler than some of us expected so we'd suggest taking more lightweight, long sleaved trousers and shirts than shorts for example. They are not only useful when it's cooler but also help avoid scratches when hiking in the rainforest or spiny forest. On the internal flight back to Tana, hand luggage is weighed and there is a strict 5kg limit that you have to adhere to.

Mark Coates

Reviewed September 2019

Madagascar in June

This was our first holiday with Exodus and our first group holiday and looking back was probably one of the best holidays we have had.
It was great to see such a wide variety of landscape and we were very lucky with the amount of wildlife we saw. We were in a group of 10 people and it was nice to share the experience with others. Our group leader, Rija made the trip so interesting.
The final few days on the beach was very relaxing.

Most Inspirational Moment

I really enjoyed the trip to the Chameleon research center which wasn't on the itinery but was great for getting up close to such a wide variety of chameleons.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Rija was excellent and what really made the holiday great. She was very knowledgeable, full or tales about the different tribes and passionate about her country. She made the trip special, organising birthday cakes, local dancing and when someone mentioned the beach would be a great place to have a camp fire, the next evening it appeared with more dancing. Thanks Rija.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The days were very full with lots of early starts, but it gets dark around 5:30-6:00 so plenty of time in the evening to recover. Make sure you have a good torch for the night trips. There are plenty around but it's better if you can direct it where you're looking. I had an old camera but still managed to get some great photos. I could have done with a better zoom for the lemurs but a lot of people had phone cameras which worked fine.

Suggestions

We're now looking at other Exodus trips.

T C

Reviewed November 2018

Wildlife Adventure of a Lifetime

I have been dreaming of seeing lemurs in the wild since I was young and this trip did not disappoint. I had never done a group tour before and was admittedly very hesitant to sign-up for one, but the itinerary allowed me to see most of what I wanted to, so I thought I’d give it a try. In the two weeks, we were able to see thirteen species of lemurs, which was thrilling and more than I had expected. The itinerary is thoughtfully laid out and even the long days travelling were made better by the many stops and stories from our group leader. I can’t describe the feeling of first arriving to our cabins in Andasibe to the sounds of Indri calls in the forest. It was really out of this world. The diversity of landscapes and parks that we visited was excellent and I couldn’t have planned it better myself. Having a local guide and engaging (mostly) with local tour operators and businesses was an important aspect of the trip for me as well. Overall, excellent adventure that I wish I could go back in time and do again.

Most Inspirational Moment

Definitely the first night we arrived in Andasibe to the call of Indris in the distance. That will be a memory that stays with me forever. The dry forests and desert landscapes were so incredible to see as well. The beach in Anakao at the end, spectacular! Getting to know our group leader as well and spending time with her on the trip was also very special, as well as the lovely people in our group. Perhaps not inspirational, more sobering, was getting to see first-hand the devastating effects of slash-and-burn agriculture. It was disheartening to witness this and other environmental destruction. The biodiversity in Madagascar is particularly precious and I fear it will be gone within the next couple decades. I'm more committed than ever in continuing to support local organizations to protect what still remains. Please do not purchase any souvenir animal products, wood products, gemstones or other trinkets that can't be sourced ethically. Foreigners continue to have a role in driving some (if not much) of the ruin you will witness.

Thoughts on Group Leader

She was excellent. I can't say enough good things about her. She is intelligent, kind and had a great sense of humour. She took her job very seriously and had so much integrity, I didn't question for a moment that we were in great hands the whole trip. We had quite a large group, 16 people (which I was not aware of before arriving in Madagascar) and initially worried about how one person was going to be able to manage so many people, but she did so with great expertise and care. It was a tough job for her, but I always felt she had all of our best interests at heart and was flexible with the schedule, depending on how people were feeling and what their needs were. I was quite sad at the end to say goodbye!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take it as it comes, be flexible and don't arrive with too many expectations. I've done a lot of traveling and don't take this privilege for granted, but this was one of the top adventures I've ever had. The opportunity to see the most endangered mammals on the planet and the exquisite biodiversity this island has to offer, really can't be matched. Try and stay in the moment and really appreciate every minute of this adventure. If you're not comfortable being in an intensive group situation or going without creature comforts, this may not however be the trip for you. Expect and plan for digestive illness, it comes with the territory. I suffered quite a bad case of food poisoning, but the group leader managed it well and allowed for me to convalesce for a couple days before rejoining the tour. Educate yourselves before coming, about the island, peoples and appropriate conduct when visiting delicate ecosystems. Do not feed the animals, ever, we had some people who did this and it was incredibly upsetting.

Suggestions

I would love to do this trip all over again :)

Deborah Terry

Reviewed November 2018

An Extraordinary Trip

Madagascar is an extraordinary country facing numerous challenges. Its national parks are excellent and much of the scenery is spectacular. It is, however, very poor and facing many environmental challenges. This makes it all the more creditable that the hotels and food on this trip were both so good.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many, but obviously the lemurs - we saw at least 15 different varieties, plus all the other wildlife, and the baobabs, plus the Highlands scenery. And the wonderful jacarandas in flower in Tana.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vula was one of the best leaders I've ever had on an Exodus trip. She has huge warmth and charm and was never off duty. One couple had to be airlifted to Jo'burg and many of the rest of us were ill, and she was brilliant at checking we were OK. She's passionate about showing her country to visitors and was determined that we'd get the best from the trip. She went the extra mile all day every day and can't be praised too much.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip takes stamina but amply rewards it. It packs a huge amount in in a short time and the contrasts of experiences etc is excellent. Pack light (the Isola hotel does washing), be prepared for a 24-hour bug, and take plenty of Jungle Formula. Wifi was generally available, but mostly in reception rather than in the rooms. Contrary to some of the advice given we had no difficulty in finding ATMs in most of the towns we went through, so taking all cash seems a bit unnecessary. And anyway you won't spend much. I had 36 hours on my own in Tana at the start of the trip and while I was careful, I enjoyed going out, exploring and finding good lunch spots. As a 60-something female I felt perfectly safe.

Suggestions

Deforestation is happening apace, so go soon. A unique destination.

Nik Kowal

Reviewed October 2018

One of the best trips ever!

Madagascar is amazing with so much unique wildlife, plants and trees. A well organised trip, with good accommodation. Comfortable bus with lots of breaks on the long journeys. A mixture of leisurely time on the bus and in the towns, with some very strenuous treks in the reserves. Be prepared for heavy rain and blistering heat as you pass through the varied landscapes.

Most Inspirational Moment

The ancient baobabs in the spiny forest.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very organised and efficient, but some of her commentary got lost in translation.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As above. Pack everything especially a head torch and walking poles.

Laura Davey

Reviewed October 2018

Life changing and unforgettable experience

This was a truly life-changing trip. By that I mean, it was an experience of many extreme highs, such as seeing the unique and beautiful wildlife, coupled with being witness to some very difficult scenes, such as the slash and burn practice and huge areas of deforestation.

The trip has left me wanting to learn more about this incredible country, its people and its wildlife. Would very much like to visit again and investigate further into the issues this country is clearly facing.

This is a very special country and any visitor will be rewarded in many ways.

Most Inspirational Moment

The wildlife was what I booked the trip for and it did not disappoint. I had no idea we would see so many species of lemurs, reptiles, birds, plants and trees insects and frogs and at such close range, we really were so very lucky. I cannot underestimate just how special it felt to witness these incredible endemic species in their (rapidly disappearing) habitat. The call of the indri is a sound that I will never, ever forget. I feel inspired to learn more and find out if there is any way in which I can help contribute to the future of this country, as the people and the native plants and animals are facing some very severe challenges, such as a hugely increasing population, rapid loss of habitat moved over to farming, shaky political leadership, the introduction of non-native species of animals, trees and plants that cannot support native wildlife, and the slash and burn agricultural practice.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Vola was really lovely. She kept us safe, listened to feedback, was flexible with timings and programmes and informed us on any queries and questions we had as best she could. At times, she went above and beyond for her clients, giving massages to one guest who was suffering from back and shoulder pain, and taking another client to the dentist for emergency treatment. She was also fun to be around and made us laugh every day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with an open mind, and be prepared to see the mass destruction of the environment which you will definitely witness. Bear in mind, this is a very poor country and life here is hard. Saying that, the people were all very warm and welcoming to the small number of tourists that we saw. We never ever felt threatened or anything other than welcome. This is what makes the environment/humanity inbalance so very difficult to bear witness to, as the people are just as amazing as the flora and fauna that most visitors come to see. We found the physical rating of 1 to be misleading, I would say there are some moderate to strenuous hikes on this tour. Bring camera, binoculars, insect repellent and some detergent to wash clothes. Accommodation and food were excellent, much better than we expected.

Suggestions

Go now, before it's too late! and do anything you can to help this amazing place. It has so much to offer from gorgeous deserted beaches, lovely people, wildlife, birds and trees you won't find anywhere else in the world - not even in zoos! It's got rainforest, culture, spiny forest, desert, incredible rock formations and valleys, natural swimming areas, mountains - everything you could ever want to see, all in one very unique country.

Charlotte Grant

Reviewed October 2018

Madagascar is great, unique & marvelous but one needs to be very fit to enjoy this amazing adventure

The trip is rated as leisurely & I would rate it challenging. We had extremely long travel days in the vehicles on winding bumpy roads (5 hr, 6 hr, 11 hr, etc.) The trip notes advise some long days, but we weren’t expecting such challenges just traveling in the van; our muscles were all tensed up by the end of each drive. The hiking to get to the Lemurs requires a person to be very fit in order to scramble up steep banks, cross streams, climbing steps up & down, & bushwhacking for 4 hrs at a time. It would be helpful to put this information in the ‘Is this trip for you’ section

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment was getting so close to the lemurs, we could practically touch them. We had the joy of watching a number of different groups for long periods times. I have tracked the mountain gorillas & traveled all over the world, but have never been in such a unique country. Ever day was filled with adventure & excitement & new destinations. It took a lot of effort & challenge to do this trip, but at the end of the day it was totally worth it. Go now before it gets to filled with Tourists.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was Vola & she was excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes carefully & be in very good physical condition so you can enjoy every moment of this amazing country.

Suggestions

Tipping can cause consternation as we all view tipping differently. I agree that we should tip for great service & we want to put money into the Madagascar economy plus we want to get money to the Madagascar working people. However I do not agree with the suggested leader tip.The suggested tipping for our leader was $5 U.S. per day; $5.00/day x 14 days = $70/person tip x 14 people is $980. $980 is a fortune in Madagascar. If our leader is paid well (as it says in the trip notes), I don’t believe the leader should receive an additional $980. I believe we should tip according to the country we are in. The leader should get a fair tip, but $980 is far too much. The trip kitty of $50 is fair, however the group should be told what amount of tip is being given as the tip is given; we should not have to wait until the trip ends to know the numbers. On all other trips we were told what tip was given as it was given to the person. Our leader did not share the tips given until the trip end. I am not confident the tip kitty went to the appropriate people.

Karen Butler

Reviewed September 2018