Trekking In Madagascar: Madagasy Republic

Our Clients’ Reviews

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. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 9 reviews.

Jemma Bartholomew

TREKKING IN MADAGASCAR

Written April 2013
This was an excellent trip with a good balancing of hiking and doing some touristy things, with absolutely stunning scenery, amazing unique wildlife, and lovely people. It is properly graded with a couple of definite C walking days but otherwise B walks. Note the mattresses provided for camping were too thin so if you have room for a thermorest, bring it. Lunches on many days were simply what we could buy in a supermarket, so bring a penknife and spork. And if you have time, a couple of extra days on the beach at the end are well worth it.
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Helen Sumpton

TREKKING IN MADAGASCAR

Written October 2012
Beautiful country with ever changing landscapes, fascinating people with strong traditions and beliefs, unique wildlife in their natural environments.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Personally I was pleased to see the wildlife in their natural habitats and to have several occasions to witness them. We happened across curious ring tailed lemurs at the top of Isalo National Park, saw brown lemurs playing in the trees in a canyon, spotted the smallest chameleons and the most invisible of stick insects while on our walks. For complete wildlife fanatics I should mention that as the trip heads south, the landscape is quite open (due to many years of deforestation) it's not everywhere that you will see wildlife. However the combination of wildlife spotting with seeing the amazing landscapes, unique flora and trekking in relatively isolated parks is just right.
I loved the changing scenery of Isalo National Park. From Grand Canyon-esque landscape, to grassy plains, windswept rocks, canyons with lush green palm oasis and pure white sands, to the occasional idyllic waterfall and pool. Seeing the Boabab trees in the Spiny Forest at twilight was also pretty impressive.
I appreciated being able to learn about the culture, history and what is currently going on in the country from the tour leader/guides/drivers. Also getting to see the rural communities in a way which, on the whole, didn’t feel too touristy and not (yet) commercialised. The local villagers were very welcoming and friendly. Although the country on a whole, particularly in the rural communities, is really very poor, people never-the-less seemed happy and content with what they have (or rather don't have). It certainly makes you think.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our Tour Leader, Armand Rakotonoely, couldn't have been more helpful. Not only being Malagasy but having lived in several towns around Madagascar he was able to provide us with so much information about the traditions, culture, politics, nature etc not only about his own tribe/area but also about those areas we visited. He was always making notes from the local (National Park) guides and gave us a great summary at the end of every day. He had a motto 'together as a family', which sounded cheesy at first but actually provided a good basis for our group. He also taught us some Malagasy words which were appreciated.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Food: For anyone with food allergies take your snacks/essentials with you. There is one supermarket you visit as you leave Tana and this is the last one you will see for the rest of the trip until you return to Tana, so stock up on anything you require for picnic lunches and snacks (I found rice cakes but not much for gluten free/dairy free diets). Snacks that you can buy en route tend to be biscuits, sometimes get fruit/cheese/yoghurts/chocolate. Breakfast is limited (breads/cakes/fruit) but being GF I often got omelettes or rice.
Footwear/walking gear: unless you have ankle problems, then good approach trainers are suitable for the trekking, if you prefer them to walking boots (I'd taken both). The rocks are quite grippy. There wasn't any muddy/boggy ground (although you come across about every other surface). Gaiters are useful to keep the dust out. If you ordinarily use walking poles then you will definitely want to take them (to both Andringitra and Isalo treks) as there are large, uneven, rocky steps.
Weather: I went in September. All the previous reviews mention the heat which we noticed in Isalo and the closer to the coast we got, however we weren't expecting a cold, rainy walking day in Zafimaniry village (approx 14 degrees). Also the first night camping in Andringitra was close to zero, so pack for all weathers.
Currency: GBP can easily be exchanged at the airport for Ariary (as can EUR or USD). You can change Ariary back to GBP/EUR/USD on your return to the airport but you need to have a minimum of GBP50/EUR50/USD50 (at the time we went). So either spend it, or pool the currency as a group if you have less than the minimum left. Note, once in the departures bit of the airport they don't (officially) take Ariary! They only take GBP/EUR/USD. In the rest of the country you can only spend Ariary. There are cash machines in Tulear.
Mosquito nets: all except one of the hotels (which needed mosquito nets) had them (not all towns need them). So if you have a mosquito net then you might want to take it just in case.
Language: if you have ever learnt French it will be very useful. Ask your Tour Leader to teach you some Malagasy words - very helpful.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
If you like to combine beautiful vast countryside, with some activity (trekking), some wildlife spotting and getting to know a unique country & its people, then I'd definitely recommend this trip to you.
Peter Gillett

TREKKING IN MADAGASCAR

Written April 2012
A land of spectacular and diverse panoramic landscapes, friendly people and unique wildlife.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
It’s always a great sense of achievement to reach a high summit and in the Madagascar heat and humidity getting to the top of Peak Boby was a moment to celebrate (and recover) but the main inspiration was the people. Always smiling and wanting to be photographed, chatting and curious about what we wear and how we look. Crossing the mountain from Antoetra to the isolated village of Ifasina felt like travelling back in time and fascinating to see the Zafimaniry people living with few resources as they probably have done for hundreds of years.

The isolation of Isalo National Park is as described... a combination of coloured, eroded rock formations, strange plants and the enveloping silence making this one of the most captivating places in Africa. The last night at the camp there under an immense star-filled sky listening to the local folk singers around the campfire was very memorable.
What did you think of your group leader?
As others on here have commented Solofo (Sol) handled the group with grace and patience. Always knowledgeable about his country, enthusiastic and organised - well apart from a tendency to be so relaxed that early starts were hard to achieve and on some days that meant arriving at camp not long before sunset! But this was all part of his likeable character and was the subject of much friendly banter :-) Our driver (Narina?) also deserves thanks for negotiating the often unmade roads in tight situations, crossing rivers and log bridges with confidence and for keeping us safe over some long long journeys.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It is graded as partly challenging and I wouldn’t take that lightly. Having done many treks at much higher altitude several of the group had to sit out the long day to the peak due to exhaustion or minor knee injuries. Again the heat makes this a much more strenuous trek than expected. You are walking on very rocky terrain a lot of the time, so walking poles would be recommended.
You can be walking for long periods in relentless sunshine so plenty of sunscreen and long sleeves are a good idea.

Although you will encounter a variety of flora and fauna... many Lemurs and the small things - frogs, chameleons, stick insects, millipedes, spiders etc. it becomes apparent that the deforestation you might hear about is continuing and threatening the existence of much of the unique wildlife. Lack of education is part of the problem so maybe if you want to take something for children you meet along the way maybe books an wildlife or the ecology...and rather than handing out sweets some kids asked for soap.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The trip notes specify tourist class hotels, but aside from camping the other accommodation was mainly lodges. Although basic and clean these often didn’t have full electricity or water, so be prepared to go without showers for several days and charge batteries whenever the opportunity arises. I must add that I thought the lodges were a better solution than hotels, but you will have to modify your expectations.

A great trip in a beautiful country and highly recommended.
Michelle Youle

TREKKING IN MADAGASCAR

Written April 2012
A very enjoyable trip overall. Madagascar is an interesting country and different to what I expected or to how it's presented to us on television.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
On a personal level, the hike up Peak Boby - especially as I think the trip notes don't give an accurate view of the difficulty of this climb.
Other than that, I think the people we met along the way who live in remote areas, with very little, yet were still interested in us being there and greeted us with smiles wherever we went.
Obviously the lemurs were a highlight.
What did you think of your group leader?
I think Sol was great leader - although his sense of timescales leaves something to be desired. If he said something would take 2 hours we got to learn that actually it would be 4 hours!!
I also think that some of the advice given about walks was a little misleading, especially the advice that poles weren't needed on the first walk of the trip. They are!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The trip notes mention that the accommodation is in tourist hotels. I found this to be misleading as actually we stayed in eco lodges (which I prefer) - but some people might be disappointed if expecting a hotel. The accommodation is basic which is to be expected, electricity limited and on some occasions no water available - even though we had bathrooms. It's worth bearing this in mind if you haven't done this kind of trip before.
The camps are very basic so take plenty of wet wipes! We always arrived at camp too late to be able to bathe in the river.
Don't be fooled by the trip notes to thinking the climb up Peak Boby isn't difficult. I've done quite a lot of Exodus holidays and I think this climb was hard - probably due in some part to the heat. This day we climbed to the peak was also far too long a day and is something Exodus should look at. We left camp at 6am. It took 5hrs to get up and down Boby; we then had a short break for lunch and then had another 5.5 hour walk to the next camp. Again, I don't want it to sound like I didn't enjoy the holiday - I just think that some people might be misled and then not be able to physically do the walking.
If you can cope with the above then this holiday is excellent and well worth considering.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I think that this trip would be better if all the meals were included and paid for with the trip. The reason for this is that the meals at the lodges were a set menu at a set price, sometimes with a choice of 2 things, sometimes with no choice. It would then save time as we wouldn't have everyone having to pay a bill. Also, it would be better if the leader organised bread, cheese etc for lunches rather than the endless stops at supermarkets which added time on to already long days. This then might mean that you arrive at your lodge a little earlier rather than always arriving about 30mins before dinner.
One last point, to Exodus - I really think you should stop letting more people on the trips than specified on the trip notes. This has now happened on our last 2 trips and makes the group too large, the buses too cramped and space round camping tables too squashed. I really hope that this isn't going to keep happening as it does take away from the experience of what an Exodus holiday should be.
Rachel Morris

TREKKING IN MADAGASCAR

Written April 2012
Not for the faint hearted or unfit, strenuous long days, worth it to get to the remote locations to meet the people and wildlife. Guaranteed to see a variety of lemurs.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The local people, who basically had so little yet were happy and friendly and helpfull and expected nothing in return.
What did you think of your group leader?
He was great, he had excellent knowledge, looked after the group, made sure everything run smoothly and couldn't do enough to help and make sure we enjoyed the holiday. He even organised contacts/trip for us after the planned trek as we were staying a few extra days.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for long and strenous days, its definetely one you need to be fit for, to be able to cope with the walks and also enjoy them. Take the opportunity to give away your old clothes after use, they will be very much appreciated there, its truely is a very poor country, your guide can advise on when and who to donate to. Locals were some of the happiest we have ever encountered.
Peter Eccott

TREKKING IN MADAGASCAR

Written August 2011
This is the first time I have used any company such as Exodus and I was extremely impressed with all aspects of the holiday. The literature described the itinerary perfectly without spoiling some of the additional surprises along the way.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing the ring tailed lemurs for the first time in their natural environment.
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader was fantastic and could not be faulted in any way; he was very knowledgeable, patent, ever-so friendly and a true credit to the policy of using local guides. He made everybody on the trip feel very welcome and his hard work throughout the trip was truly appreciated.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
My advice to anybody considering this trip is to: Just go, you will be amazed. If treking and wildlife spotting is you thing then this is the trip for you. The trip notes covers everything you will need for the holiday, but you will need plenty of memory cards as there is just so much to photograph.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would like to pass on my thanks to everyone involved in organising this trip as it truly was an amazing place to visit. I can honestly say that it is one of the most spectacular places I have ever been and the way in which the trip was run could not have been better. Although there were a couple of mishaps along the way, it added to the experience of visiting a county which is so different from the UK. In all I am extremely impressed Exodus and will not hesitate to use them again.
Eva Mitchell

TREKKING IN MADAGASCAR

Written May 2011
A good all-rounder of a holiday - mixture of excellent landscapes to walk in, villages/ towns to explore and culture to experience. Good blast of exercise spread throughout the 2 weeks, topped off with a day at a beautiful pool, right on the Indian Ocean.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The lemurs were wonderful, especially when they came around the tents in the evening you could really see how they interacted with each other! And the chameleons, you got at least one an hour just on the paths we were walking along.
And finally, after all the hard work trekking, the day by the pool relaxing was a particularly inspired entry in the trip itinerary!
What did you think of your group leader?
Group Leader Solof was a great guy. Really knowledgeable about the whole country and couldn't do enough to ensure all clients had a great holiday. The other walking guides and camp teams were also great - made all parts of the walking and camping run smoothly and put on some great entertainment.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Real good mix of a holiday so be prepared for the changes
Some long travel days to get around the country - though these are helped with interesting stops, followed by days all on foot.
Accomodation varies between hotel and one-man tent, all great quality - do take an extra soft bag to split luggage for camping.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
If you are thinking of a holiday here then go now! Tourism is still in its infancy and the country can be experienced without major western influences spoiling it.