MADAGASCAN DISCOVERER

Our Clients’ Reviews

• 

  Maria Vodomirova

  MADAGASCAN DISCOVERER

  

  Written November 2011

  I did the "Madagascar Discovery" tour and I thought it was a great experience.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  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.

  What did you think of your 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.

  Do you have any 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.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  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.

   
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  Adrienne Finch

  MADAGASCAN DISCOVERER

  

  Written October 2011

  It was an interesting trip, with rather a lot of travelling on poor roads though we saw some interesting sights, a wonderful town market, where we were perfectly safe, and a village which thrived on illegal stills. To an extent the hotels were better than I expected in a poor African country.  I liked the food, particularly the Zebu steak, and the sea food. Plenty of lemurs being charming. Too large a group for the nature walks. It seems a shame that the State seems to be going down hill. Rather too much of a security problem in Tana to walk about. Some lovely craft work to buy, particularly the marquetry. The leader Solo was excellent. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  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.

  What did you think of your group leader?

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

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

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

   
• 

  Valerie Merges

  Too much time in transit

  

  Written October 2011

  Veteran ecotourists will be disappointed.  Most of the time spent on this trip was in transit, and always on vehicles without air conditioning (in a hot climate).  The lack of government oversight has resulted in a degredation of the National Parks through neglect, slash and burn agriculture, and illegal logging.  The remaining slivers of protected areas are more like outdoor zoos rather than wild areas.  Many of the good photos you might see from this trip are taken from a captive reptile farm and a lemur sanctuary.  Most hotels lacked screens on the windows or air conditioning, which made for very uncomfortable sleeping.  There is very little walking on this trip.  The large group size (16) meant that only people in the front of the group were able to see birds and snakes before they departed.  The capital city is not safe day or night.  It is difficult and time consuming to obtain any money after leaving the airport, which did not always give correct amounts when changing money.  Since you must pay for all your own meals, this quickly became a problem for some of our group.   The guides were excellent on this trip, but it is sad the government of Madagascar is not adequately protecting the last remaining vestiges of natural habitat.  If you have been on prior wildlife viewing holidays you will be disappointed with this trip.  People with breathing problems such as asthma should never attempt this trip, as the slash and burn smoke sometimes does not abate for days. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The hike in Tsingy, but we were only there 3 1/2 hours!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Sol was excellent in every way.  He went well beyond the duties of a normal guide.  Sol knew everything about the natural environment, and was very friendly.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Don't do this trip

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  In 2009, Madagascar had set aside 10% of the land for protection.  It is reported that they have been losing 3% of that per year since then.  Many endigenous species are facing extinction.  I knew this before the trip, but I wanted to see what was left before it was totally destroyed.  The trip was not worth all the discomfort to see a few remaining lemurs.

   
• 

  Friederike Brandt

  MADAGASCAN DISCOVERER

  

  Written August 2011

  an all-round fantastic trip, with plenty of opportunities to see wildlife, stunning countryside, explore local markets, go hiking & swimming - be prepared for some bumpy rides and dusty roads, that's part of the fun! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  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.

  What did you think of your 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.

  Do you have any 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.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  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.

   
• 

  Caroline Smyth

  MADAGASCAN DISCOVERER

  

  Written July 2011

  An amazing holiday full of colour and interest. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  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.

  What did you think of your 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. 

  Do you have any 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. 

   

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Take lots of photos & enjoy!

   
• 

  Christine Byrne

  MADAGASCAN DISCOVERER

  

  Written August 2010

  the content of the itinerary was very well planned with lots of opportunities to see lemurs, although I would have happily not bothered with the Lakes at Fianarantsoa.  There are some really long days on the road but the scenery is always captivating.  My biggest negative was the lack of service at the hotels particularly in the restaurants - having done a fair amount of travelling in africa and asia, this was the worse experience.  BUT it was a good trip with some fabulous photographic opportunities. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  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. 

  What did you think of your 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. 

  Do you have any 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.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  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.