Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Madagascar's USP is its unique wildlife.  In particular, the lemurs and baobabs. So there are two highlights: the first was seeing diademed sifaka, in the first park we visited, leaping gracefully from tree to tree, and the second is the Allee des Baobabs, a wonderful natural monument.  Then the third wonderful moment was standing atop the lookout point on the Grands Tsingy.  The landscape is unbelievable and the via ferrata to get there was exhilerating.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sol is a top man. You're in safe hands with him: knowledgeable, polished, anticipating the group's needs and wishes, and with a smile like sunshine. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip notes over-exaggerate the ardours of the travel.  Whilst there are long driving days, the roads are generally good.  Obvioulsy, heading out to the Tsingy, the roads are bumpy, but you're in 4x4s so it's fine. They make sure you get appropriate breaks.  Don't let the travelling put you off! The accommodation is also way better than I expected. At Morondava we were offered the chance to do a pirogue trip out to the fishing village. We'd thoroughly recommend doing this. It was so peaceful and relaxing and the guys made sure we saw loads of wildlife, including the funniest little jumping fish.  They also offered a chance to meet the lcoal people, which I felt was otherwise missing from this trip. 

Suggestions

This is not a trip for spotting loads of animals. Those you see are exceptional and they have a lovely tendency to pose for the camera! If you want to see animals every two seconds, you should go to Tanzania or Botswana.  Madagascar also seems to be hell-bent on destroying its beauty with slash-and-burn agriculture. Go now before it's too late.  The trip notes say there's a night in Kirindy - unfortunately, this is not the case.   The unexpected aspect of the trip was the chance to relax on fantastic white beaches! We went in Aug-September and the weather was not too hot, not too cold.  There was a touch of rain but, hey, it was a rain forest so what do you expect?!  Food is excellent generally.  Don't forget the mosquito repellent.   

Most Inspirational Moment

There are a couple of walks across the rugged landsacape, one more of a climb than a walk and not for those with vertigo but great fun. You will see loads of lemurs. The poverty is shocking. Every where you go there are underfed children.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sol was well organised, sociable and knowledgeable. You couldn't ask for more in a tour leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

For such a big island be prepared for the long drives which are longer than stated in the trip notes because of stops you make on the way. We did several hotel to hotel journeys of 12 - 13 hours, in time to grab a quick meal and then bed. The route to Tsingy is made worse by delays waiting for ferries. One of the internal flights required us to get up at 3:30am. I would advise against this trip for anyone who is particularly unhappy with long journeys.

Suggestions

Very few mosquitors in July but it can be cold at night with no heating in rooms. I travelled with Air France arriving the night before the group flight (via Niarobi), which in July 2013 was by far the best idea and similarly priced. There was an immediate five hour drive for those arriving by the overnight group flights along with an 8 hour stopover in Niarobi on the way back. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Being able to see the lemurs in their natural habitat and close up and personal at a private reserve at vakona lodge and in lemur park in tana was wonderful. The chameleons are amazing. Climbing in Tsingy limestone forest is well worth the effort. The friendly Malagasy people will leave a lasting impression.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The tour leader was excellent. He was friendly and spproachable and took account of everyone's needs. He was very helpful when anyone felt unwell or when anyone found the going a little tough in the heat. His commentaries were very informative and it was no trouble if anyone wanted information on any aspect of the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for an intense programme with some very long drives on some poor roads or dirt tracks but take a good camera because there is so much to captivate and interest you.

Suggestions

Keep snapping with that camera and brig back some fantastic memories!

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing the Tsingy, seeing lots of different kinds of lemurs, watching the sun set over the alley of the baobabs - there were lots of inspirational moments, plus a great group spirit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader made every effort to ensure this was a memorable trip for everyone.  He was very well informed, very polite and helpful and made the group feel comfortable and safe.He collected money from everyone at the start of the trip which was then distributed as tip amongst the various guides/drivers.  There seemed to be a few disappointments, so in future it would be good if the group actually knew how much money went to whom.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't be afraid to try the food in the local markets - it's delicious and a lot cheaper than eating in tourist restaurants.

Suggestions

The trip involved a lot of time travelling and a fair amount stopping and starting to see some arts and crafts which weren't that impressive.  It would have been nicer to have an extra day's hiking somewhere.

Most Inspirational Moment

There really wasn't enough of walking. There were two excellent ones. One superb one in the Grand Tsingy in the limestone cliffs being harnessed as well, challenged me as an 'elderly person' but I survived!! We had two excellent, knowledgeable guides, who spoke good English. An excellent canoe trip in the early morning seeing a nest of Egrets, lots of birds, and the tombs of an ancient people, and a good, rather hot  walk in Isalo national park to a natural swimming pool, and then unfortunately the hot walk back.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Solo was excellent, he knew his country, was unfailingly patient and helpful, with excellent English. The drivers were all good too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring your handwash-you have to be absolutely immaculate over hygeine.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the colors, sounds and views of the country, they were different and very beatiful. All the species of lemurs that we saw, such a variety of wild life, sounds of the forests, smiling faces of local people and especially kids, pictoresk views on our hikes, sunsets on the ocean and on the avenue of Baobabs - all of it was spectacular.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide, Solofoniray Razafimahazo, was amazing! Myself and all of my tour-mates were of the same opinion, that he was one of the absolutely best guides that we have ever had. He was very helpful, kind, positive, was always smiling, a genuine, not spoiled, not corrupted, really good person, very intelligent and knowledgeable. A lot of info on the local life, traditions, nature, flora and fauna.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I can recommend this trip, but please, be aware that this trip requires you to spend a lot of time in a bus, from one upt to 3 days in a row.

Suggestions

The places visited and acitivies included in the tour were all very interesting and worse doing.You will absolutely for sure see Lemurs during the trip! For that reason I also advice to visit Lemurs' park close to Tana, which is a great! ZOO in Tana is poor and makes you sad, I would not recommend going there if you have limited time.

Most Inspirational Moment

All the opportunities to see Lemurs - whether in the rain forest or in private parks - one image which makes me smile when I recall it, is the lemur park at Vakuna Lodge (Nr Perinet national park), where the lemurs used us as places to jump on to and off and to sit on.  I have some lovely photos of people in the group with one or two lemurs sitting on their arms and shoulders.  Also the two walks in the Tsingy's were interesting; fascinating structures and great to be able to get out and walk - it was a bonus to see lemurs on both Tsingy walks. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sol who was the leader of our group until we returned to Tana was one of the best I have travelled with.  Very well organised and made even the long road journeys interesting by telling us different things about Madagascar - he was righly proud of his country and delighted in introducing us to as many experiences as possible.  We also had some excellent local guides in different areas and some good drivers. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

I posted some general comments on the community arrivals board in answer to some questions from members of the group going out after our return but mainly I would advise that the long road journeys tend to be longer than advised on the itinerary so be prepared.  It was one of the ironies of the trip that the really nice places to stay you arrive late and leave early!  As a vegetarian I found it difficult to get sufficient food (this is obviously my personal observation) and I would probably have taken some museli with me to supplement breakfast - which were generally meagre.  We did have chances to stock up on food and fruit in supermarkets which was good.  The photographic opportunities are numerous - take lots of memory cards/film.  Re-charging cameras, I-pods, Kindles etc is no problem.  Some of the best photographic opportunities are in the early morning - whether walking on the beach in Morondova or around gardens in the various hotels.  Definitely visit the Lemur Park in Tana - it is a rescue centre in a lovely park setting with the lemurs running free (not in cages) and really friendly, informative staff.  You can never have enough opportunities to see lemurs.  Take a head torch for the walks in the Tsingy...you will need your hands.

Suggestions

Having just watched the David Attenborough series on Madagascar it reminded me of how little we actually saw of what is a huge island but what we saw was special.  One of the most difficult things for me to witness is the continuing de-forestation it was so noticable when we were doing the road journeys how much slash and burn agriculture is ongoing and is so devasting.  The effect was particularly apparent as Isalo where there are the smallest areas of forest left in a vast desert landscape. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the lemurs watching us in the wild! We were lucky enough to see many of the different types of lemurs in the different locations along with some chameleons, insects, birds & a fossa.The baobabs are stunning against the blue sky and we witnessed an amazing sunset there but away from the crowds of people.The markets were vibrant & interesting and provided great photo opportunities as most people were happy to have their photograph taken.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sol is the best tour leader we have ever had. He went out of his way to show us all that his country has to offer. Many ad hoc stops were made to view the every day aspects of Madagascan life and frequent stops to take photos were offered. Information was freely given but we were never overwhelmed with it. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is a lot of travelling long distances. The journeys are interesting especially as Sol adds many unmissible side visits to the itinerary but expect to be tired by the end of the holiday. The roads travelled on with the 4WD's are dirt tracks full of ruts so you do get thrown around alot. You need to be reasonably agile to do the Grand Tsingy trek. Sol offered the option of Petite Tsingy to those of the group who felt they were not up to the trek.  

Suggestions

Take lots of photos & enjoy!