3 independent reviews for Madagascar family adventure holiday, canoes & camping
Reviews for Madagascar family adventure holiday, canoes & camping
Marianne Werner review 3 Aug 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Learning about the diverse places in Madagascar…often a thrilling and lovely surprise. From the baobabs to the lemurs to the chameleons, the animal/plant life and trying to understand its evolutionary development was eye-opening!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
This trip is not for the feint-hearted or those with weak hips/knees. Roads are often terrible or very terrible…lots of time spent on those roads getting around the country. Be in good shape. But you will be rewarded with being ableto see these animals/plants in their natural state. Think about this: 111 species of lemur… only endemic to this island! People were wonderful, and sometimes awesome accommodations made the long days tolerable. But be prepared…this is a very poor country and many are shoeless…3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I think it likely did all of those things although often indirectly.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was a wonderful trip. I got some great photos…and I was often worn out. When I hear the word “Madagascar,” something inspiring and magical comes to mind. It is a country more deserving of leadership that will help the people who live there…Eric Gussin review 21 Sep 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
There was just so much more to see and hear than we imagined. Tsingy National Park: Such a unique and bizarre landscape. Chameleons and birds: Without the guides we doubt we would have seen so many but the number and variety was astonishing. Whale watching and snorkeling with the turtles and Angle Fish camping on the riverside and the meal prepared that night after the canoe trip.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
1. Change local money at the airport. Take mainly local currency. Few places accepted Euros and it is difficult to find places along the route to change more 2. Avoid the porters at Tana airport. They are aggressive and demand payment. 3. The pack list provided suggested taking snacks. We strongly advise this! Often nothing is provided from breakfast (sometimes 6am) until lunch (1 or 2pm) and you expend a lot of energy in the national parks. 4. Electricity is rationed so in most cases expect cold showers and no air conditioning. Internet is rarely available ( except on Nosey Be) 5. Be prepared for some long drives on very poor roads3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Difficult to say. Clearly supported employment in a country that is desperately so that is positive. Use of local facilities and lodges also contributed. Little chance to spend money with local people however.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic experience in a special country. Planning the trip so that we had two weeks of national parks, hiking, camping and canoeing and then allowing ourselves 4 days 'relaxing' on the beaches afterwards was definitely the right thing to do. Travelling is slow and tiring in a country with very poor infrastructure. Flora and fauna was outstanding. Local guides superb.Read the operator's response here:
Thank you very much for your comments and we are really glad you enjoyed the trip.
Definately good tips for future travellers - we do include most of these on our practical information - but we might look to improve them further.
I appreciate your comments on how the trip benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation - our reforestation project is in the South so on the Northern trip this isn't seen. We definately support the country in that we employ local partners, guides, lodges (most of the time). We buy food locally, for example on your canoe trip. Apart from handicraft markets, there is little opportunity to spend money with local people - it is such a poor country and we don't recommend street food, and clothes etc tend to be second hand.
I will be back in the North this November so will look to see if there is more we can do specifically in the North.
Thanks again - your feedback is much appreciated
Angel Rodriguez review 2 Jul 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The interaction with the people and nature that surrounded us.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be very careful with the food you eat.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes it did. We used the local resources as much as we could.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Great expedition destination.Holiday Reviews
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