Madagascar wildlife tour
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned 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 seeing new places.
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
This trip includes a contribution to Durrell. Durrell’s mission is saving species from extinction. Founded by Gerald Durrell nearly 50 years ago, it has a worldwide reputation and pre-eminent expertise in the conservation of endangered species. Its largest field conservation programme is in Madagascar, where intensive work in seven different areas of the country focuses on numerous species, the habitats they live in and the local surrounding communities. This operator has raised approximately £750,000 since its inception, towards wildlife conservation project around the world and is very much an advocate of using tourism as a tool for conservation.
The group size for this trip is limited to 10 people. This not only exemplifies our commitment to minimum impact travel but also makes for a pleasant group dynamic where travellers are treated as individuals.
To mitigate the carbon dioxide released into the high atmosphere through your air travel we are giving £10 per client to Rainforest Concern. Rainforests have a central role to play in the slowing of climate change and yet we are removing forests from the planet at a faster rate than they can grow back. It is thus axiomatic to try and preserve the forests that we have rather than replanting. Rainforest Concern was established in 1993 to protect threatened natural habitats, the biodiversity they contain and the indigenous people who still depend on them for their survival.
Community
Madagascar is a poor country with over 70% of its population falling beneath the poverty level of $50 a year. Responsible tourism can provide a much needed alternative source of income to the mainstay of agriculture so where possible this trip uses locally owned and run accommodation and restaurants. Giving employment to local people should be the cornerstone of sustainable travel initiative and this trip is guided throughout by a local Malagasy guide and local parks guides are used for all the park excursions. This not only supports the local economy it also gives our clients an intimate insight into local customs and culture.
Whilst we recognise that a vital element of any holiday is relaxation, we do try to encourage our travellers to be aware of the impact they can inflict on the destination they choose. For each country we provide notes on the local culture and customs or details of any sensitivity surrounding the chosen destination. Where applicable, our local guides will also brief our travellers upon their arrival. We hope this will serve not only to ensure the sustainability of our destinations, but also to improve the quality of the experience overall. In addition to providing advice specific to each destination, we have drawn up a generic Travellers Code (see below) which we hope will benefit all our travellers as well as the destinations they visit. These travel guidelines include advice on everything from preserving local resources to appropriate tipping and bartering customs.
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