From CAD 6,650
Guarantee
Small Group
Average
Rating
(20 reviews)
Experience Overview
Madagascar is home to wildlife and landscapes found nowhere else on this planet. Join this trip and discover this unique destination for yourself, visiting the primary forest at Andasibe to search for rare indri lemurs and unusual nocturnal wildlife. We also visit 1,000-year-old trees at the Alley of Baobabs, taking them in as the sunset throws an extraordinary blanket of colour, and trek through the otherworldly limestone pillars in Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, a highlight in a trip packed full of them.
Profile
— Accommodation: 15 Classic nights (hotels) — Travel by private bus, 4×4 and internal flights — Some long drives on poor roads
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 15 Classic nights (hotels) — Travel by private bus, 4×4 and internal flights — Some long drives on poor roads
Trip For You
This trip is graded Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
Madagascar is a rewarding destination with a wealth of flora and fauna; however, before you decide to travel, please note:
Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world and the infrastructure reflects this.Travelling by vehicle in Madagascar can be uncomfortable as road conditions are far worse than in Europe and North America. You should expect many narrow, winding and uneven sections of road. Roads away from the population centers and main routes are generally unpaved dirt roads which can be very bumpy.We do have some longer drives but the diverse scenery more than makes up for time spent on the bus. We break up our road journeys with stops at villages to take photos and stretch our legs.There will be a lot of very early starts and long days on this itinerary.Parts of Madagascar are mountainous. You need to be prepared to walk in hills for up to four hours. The trails are fairly gentle in Andasibe but steeper in all the other national parks. Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park is quite remote and you should come prepared for this. Those suffering from vertigo and claustrophobia may find some parts of the walks in this area challenging.The tourist infrastructure in Madagascar is new and some services are limited. It is not unusual for there to be changes to accommodation or internal flights and for this reason the order of the itinerary (but not the content) may sometimes change. However, what tourism does exist is of a good standard and you may be impressed by the level of service in some of the places we stay.
This itinerary includes the use of pontoon ferries, which do not (typically) offer emergency safety equipment such as flotation devices. We have risk assessed these crossings and find them to be low risk. However, if you are concerned about this aspect, please consider an alternative trip as we are unable to facilitate the provision of Western safety equipment.
Eating Drinking
Food standards in Madagascar can vary and are probably not of the same standard you are used to at home. A restaurant meal can cost between 30,000-50,000 ariary (US$7-US$12) plus a little more if you enjoy a drink with dinner. Malagasy lager is reasonably priced and readily available. Malagasy wine is also reasonably priced but is not to everyone’s taste. It is sometimes possible to get hold of French or South African wine. A delicacy in Madagascar is the various flavoured rums, which are widely sold and very reasonably priced.
Please note, if you do not eat fish or meat, your food options will be rather limited (ie omelette, cheese, pasta, vegetables and rice) on this trip. Breakfasts are usually simple: eggs, a baguette, jam and coffee or tea, and sometimes fruit. You may wish to bring something to supplement your morning meal (spread, peanut butter etc).
Transportation
Travel is mainly by small private bus. Road conditions are far worse than in Europe and North America and you should expect many narrow, winding and uneven sections. Many of the roads away from the population centers and main routes are unpaved dirt roads which can be very bumpy. There are several days where the drives are long, with a maximum drive time of approximately 12 hours, but we make plenty of stops along the way. There are two internal flights, one from Antananarivo to Morondava and one from Tulear to Antananarivo. We also take 4x4 vehicles from Morondava to Bekopaka and back again. We use 4x4 vehicles on this section of the trip as the road is a dirt road and particularly uneven; however, the surrounding landscape and destination more than make up for it.
This itinerary also includes the use of pontoon ferries, which do not (typically) offer emergency safety equipment such as flotation devices. We have risk assessed these crossings and find them to be low risk. However, if you are concerned about this aspect please consider an alternative trip, as we are unable to facilitate the provision of Western safety equipment.
The driving distances are as follows. Approximate driving time including stops in brackets:
Antananarivo to Andasibe: 85mi (135km); four to five hoursMorondava to Kirindy: 37mi (60km); dirt road, two hoursKirindy to Bekopaka: 110mi (175km); dirt road, eight hours’ driving plus one-hour ferry crossingBekopaka to Morondava: 145mi (235km); dirt road, 10 hours’ driving plus one-hour ferry crossingMorondava to Antsirabe: 295mi (475km); 12 to 13 hoursAntsirabe to Ranomafana: 155mi (250km); 8 hoursRanomafana to Fianarantsoa to Ranohira: 230mi (370km); 11 hoursRanohira to Ifaty: 170mi (275km); six to seven hours
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Hotel Belvedere, lot IF 27 bis Isoraka Tananarive 101
Phone: +261 34 79 866 38
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Ivato International Airport (TNR)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 40 minutes’ drive from the airport depending on traffic. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Catching your return flight
Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers to Ivato International Airport (TNR) from the end hotel.
Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
A day room (available from 14h00 - 20h00) can be requested if required. This is subject to availability at the time of booking.
Weather Information
Madagascar has a tropical climate with two seasons: rainy and dry. The driest season extends from April to October. It can be cold on the central plateau (including Antananarivo) in the evenings, and in the rainforest areas, so you should bring warm clothes (fleece and waterproof). There is considerable regional variation but coastal areas will normally be very hot and dry. Expect daytime temperatures up to 38C (100F) in the shade from October to December and up to 30C (86F) during trips running from April to June and September.
Spending Money
Visa and Mastercards can be used to obtain local currency at some banks. We advise you to bring your spending money in euros or US dollars cash as these are easiest to change to local currency. Bills of 100 euros or US dollars usually get a better rate than bills of 20 or less. British pounds can only be exchanged at some banks at the airport.
You can bring a maximum of €7,500 or the corresponding amount in other currency without declaring it on arrival, above that amount, you have to declare it. Please note that you can import and export a maximum of 400,000 ariary (around US$91).
You cannot rely on credit cards for payment as they are rarely accepted and the ATMs don’t always work; American Express or Diners cards are rarely accepted in Madagascar.
All money should be exchanged at the airport on arrival, as the process would take too long in the banks in the provincial towns. Additionally, the exchange rate at the airport is generally better than in the banks in Antananarivo or other cities. However, we recommend that you count your money by the counter and check it against the displayed exchange rate.
Any unused ariary must be exchanged before checking in for your departure.
Optional excursions (approximate prices per person):
Ifaty
— Scuba diving (single dive): 155,000 ariary (US$35.50) — Snorkelling: 50,000 ariary (US$11.50) — Whale watching (July-September only, minimum of four people): 140,000 ariary (US$32) — Kayaking: 35,000 ariary (US$8)
Tipping
Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with Exodus. However, if you would like to tip your leader, we suggest approximately 11,000 ariary (US$2.50) person per day.
It is also courtesy to tip any extra guides/drivers you may have over the course of the trip. Shortly after arrival, the leader will suggest to the group that they donate a sum of 200,000 ariary (US$45) per person towards a kitty. This money is then used to tip local guides, hotel porters, drivers etc and will be distributed by the leader, avoiding confusion on how much and when to tip.
Highlights
— Discover the highlights of Madagascar, an extraordinary island with unique flora and fauna — Visit the Alley of Baobabs at sunset to see these unusual and ancient trees in a golden light — Hike among the towering limestone pinnacles of Tsingy National Park — Join experienced local trackers for the best encounters with lemurs in their natural habitats — Explore Isalo National Park, home to amazing rock formations, spectacular canyons and natural swimming holes — Seek unusual species, such as tenrecs, indris and sifakas, in Andasibe and Ranomafana national parks
Trip Details
Product Code: 4130
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: ven hours
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: AZMA3
Starts: Antananarivo, Isalo National Park
Finishes: Antananarivo, Isalo National Park
Duration: 16 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Average
Includes
— All breakfasts — All accommodation — All transport and listed activities — Tour leader/support staff throughoutAccommodation
A range of hotelsFor this Madagascan adventure, we spend 15 nights in a range of hotels, each well located for our activities and in beautiful settings. Below are some of the standout accommodations. Antsirabe: Les Chambres du Voyageur (night 8) In Antsirabe, we stay at this husband and wife-owned hotel. They exhibit arts and crafts from the Zafimaniry ethnic group and there is a beautiful garden home to many endemic plants. Near Isalo National Park: Isalo Ranch (nights 11-12) This lodge close to Isalo National Park was one of the first hotels in Madagascar to run primarily on solar power. There are incredible mountain views and the owner has a collection of rhum arrange (rum with fruits, spices and herbs) that are available to sample at dinner. Ifaty beach: Hotel de la Plage (nights 13-14) With an enviable beachside location, Hotel de la Plage is the perfect destination for downtime following a thorough tour of Madagascar. Owners George and Myriam created this arrangement of simple bungalows by the beach and have hired helpful staff and a great chef to make their guests’ stay as comfortable as possible. Their son, Yannick, has a passion for water sports and knows the area very well. Worth knowing Some properties are not connected to the electricity grid and use instead use generators that are turned off at night.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 6650 (CAD 416 /day)
Itinerary
Our adventure starts in Antananarivo, known locally as Tana. There will be a group meeting and briefing in the evening followed by an optional group dinner for those who would like to join. Accommodation: Hotel Le Chato (or similar)
We embark on a short bus tour of Tana this morning. With bustling markets and a hilltop ancient town with freestone churches and old royal places, it is unique among world capitals. We then set off for Andasibe, arriving around 3pm, where we visit the community-run Vondron’olona Miaro Mitia Ala Reserve. Here we hope to see groups of the teddy bear-like indris in their natural habitat, while their white-headed relatives, diademed sifakas, jump between the treetops. There are also countless frogs along the crystalline river here and several forest-dwelling chameleons. In the early evening, we take a twilight/night walk and look for nocturnal lemur species. Accommodation: Sahatandra River Hotel (or similar)
Today we explore Andasibe National Park (also known as Perinet) on a four-hour wildlife walk. The park is home to indri, the largest of lemur in Madagascar, plus other flora and fauna and a wide array of birdlife. Listening to the piercing yet melancholy cry of the indri in the morning is an evocative sound and for those prepared to follow them through the thick rainforest, the reward is often a close-up view. A group of five diademed sifaka have recently been re-introduced to Andasibe from Mantadia and we may spot one of these unusual creatures if we are lucky. We return to Tana in the afternoon. Accommodation: Au Bois Vert Hotel (or similar)
We depart early today to catch a flight west to the coastal town of Morondava, known for having one of the finest climates in Madagascar. We then pick up 4x4 vehicles in the afternoon and visit the Alley of Baobabs, where ancient baobab trees line an unpaved road known as the most scenic in the country. We then drive to Kirindy dry forest reserve where we spend the night. Accommodation: Relais du Kirindy (or similar)
Today we visit Kirindy Reserve, home to the giant jumping rat, seven lemur species and the fossa, an endemic creature that looks like a cat-weasel cross. Then we travel approximately nine hours on a dirt road to Bekopaka, passing baobab forests, desert and local villages, and crossing the Tsiribihina river by ferry. The western landscape is arid but beautiful. Accommodation: Olympe de Bemaraha (or similar)
We depart early this morning to Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. A Unesco World Heritage site since 1990, the area has unique geography and well-preserved mangrove forests, but is best known for its spectacular pinnacles: a forest of limestone pillars, some up to 165ft (50m) high. The karst landscape and deciduous forest are a refuge for rare and endangered species and there are more than 11 types of lemur, 90 bird species and 50 reptile species, some of which we might be lucky to spot on our hike. In the afternoon, we head back to Bekopaka and relax at the hotel, perhaps with a swim at the pool. Please note, while our time in this area is a real highlight for most, it involves a demanding walk. Those suffering from vertigo and claustrophobia may find parts of the trek challenging. In some places, we go through caves and narrow chasms; harnesses are used for the more challenging parts of the climb for safety reasons. Accommodation: Olympe de Bemaraha (or similar)
We return south after breakfast, taking 4x4s to Morondava by road and ferry. The journey takes approximately 12 hours. We pass by the Sakalava tribe tombs along the way, known for the unusual paintings and carvings that decorate the outside of each tomb. We stop at the Alley of Baobabs again where we plan to spend sunset. This is the best time to see these amazing trees as the colours at this time of day are spectacular, making for a perfect photo opportunity. After sunset, we spend the night in Morondava. Accommodation: Renala au Sable d’Or (or similar)
Today is one of the longest travelling days of the itinerary with a drive time of approximately 12 hours. We pass through the fascinating scenery of Betsiriry Plateau and the savannah plains as well as the many villages interspersed along the way. We arrive at our destination by early evening. Antsirabe is at an altitude of 4,920ft (1,500m) and has a cooler climate. The warm springs and thermal baths here were a real draw in the 19th century. Accommodation: Chambres du Voyageur (or similar)
We start with a sightseeing tour of Antsirabe, including a visit to craft centres. From here, we continue to drive to Ranomafana. With rainforested hills and abundant wildlife, Ranomafana National Park has long been considered one of the highlights in Madagascar, and is one of the most visited national parks in the country. The entrance lies about 4mi (7km) from Ranomafana village. In addition to densely forested hills, the terrain is characterised by numerous small streams, which plummet to the beautiful Namorona River. Although much of the region has been logged, the easternmost part of the park retains relatively large areas of primary forest. Accommodation: Centrest Hotel (or similar)
We spend the morning (approximately five hours) exploring Ranomafana National Park, hoping to spot golden bamboo lemurs, which are unique to this park, plus other lemurs, including eastern woolly, red-bellied, grey bamboo and red-fronted brown. This park is also home to other mammals including tenrecs, bats, mongoose and the Malagasy striped civet. In the afternoon, we visit Ranomafana village, where we see typical Tanala tribe houses and the public thermal bath. The evening is spent on a night walk along the roads in the hope of spotting nocturnal lemurs, chameleons and other animals. Accommodation: Centrest Hotel (or similar)
The scenery changes dramatically today as we drive to the small town of Ranohira, a journey of approximately 11 hours. We stop in Ambalavao to visit Anja National Park along the way, a small reserve where several families of ring-tailed lemurs can be seen in the wild. Accommodation: Isalo Ranch (or similar)
We spend the day exploring Isalo National Park, a vast region of wind-polished and water-scoured rock towers, deep canyons, gorges and oases often described as Eden. If the conditions are right, we walk in the magnificent Canyon des Makis in search of cheeky ring-tailed lemurs and the Verreaux's sifaka. We also visit the Piscine Naturelle (natural swimming pool), a beautifully lush spot within an arid landscape, where we can swim and relax. The combination of coloured rock formations, strange plants and enveloping silence make this one of the most captivating places in Madagascar. (Please note, Isalo is a big national park and there will be a certain amount of driving involved today. Driving to the Canyon des Makis takes around 1hr 30min to two hours). Accommodation: Isalo Ranch (or similar)
We drive to Tulear, among the dry forests of the west and the spiny desert of the south, and we pass both the Mahafaly tombs and the Antandroy tombs, briefly observing their ornate decorations. Antandroy and Mahafaly are reputed to be the most impressive of all Malagasy tombs, with the Antandroy tombs large and brightly painted, relating to the life story and wishes of the deceased. They are also topped with the skulls of zebu sacrificed during the funeral festivity, a ceremony of great significance. Mahafaly tombs are characterised by their wooden sculptures known as aloalo, relating to the life of the deceased and their unfulfilled dreams, as well as their rank within the clan. After a brief stop in Tulear, we continue past the coastal town of Ifaty to Ifaty beach where we spend the night. Accommodation: Hotel de la Plage (or similar)
Today we have a free day. Running all the way around the southwest Malagasy coastline, Ifaty beach lies on one of the largest barrier reefs in the world and is an excellent venue for scuba diving. Between late June and early September, whales swim off the beautiful white beaches and the offshore islet of Nosy Ve is a terrific place for snorkelling. Protected by coral reefs, the beach and waters beyond the hotel offer a welcome place to rest. Accommodation: Hotel de la Plage (or similar)
Today we transfer to Tulear airport for our flight to Antananarivo, which typically arrives in the afternoon. Depending on the flight schedule, you may have free time to explore Antananarivo on your own. Accommodation: Le Chato (or similar)
Depending on flight times there may be the opportunity to embark on an optional short visit to Ambohimanga, the fortified village and its royal palace. Ambohimanga, otherwise known as Blue Hills, was once forbidden to Europeans; the local kings and queens returning to this hilltop village to rest and relax. From here began the line of kings and queens who united Madagascar into one country. Ambohimanga remains of spiritual significance for the Malagasy people with ceremonies and rituals still taking place here.
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Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
Reviews
Hannah Marks - Traveled, December 2023
Incredible Adventure Incredible adventure through Madagascar. While there is a lot of travel, it allows you to see all the different cultures and landscapes of the country – from the highlands to the western coast, cities and rural villages, national parks etc. There were plenty of stops along the way for toilet breaks, and culture stops. We were never uncomfortable but you do have to go with an open mind and just go with the flow. We went for the wildlife and this didn’t disappoint – we saw so many different lemurs up close and all of the guides were fantastic to point out all the different animals Our tour guide, Claudia, was amazing and so helpful throughout the entire tour. Our group was very enjoyable and we all had a similar mindset. Most Inspirational Moment - Tsingy National Park: this was an amazing hike. It was very hot during the day (38C) but with plenty of breaks and water it was very memorable - Wildlife: So abundant and incredible to see, from all the lemurs (ring-tails, sifaka, indri, red-fronted brown, fork masked, mouse, bamboo) geckos, chameleons (lots of chameleons!), fossa, plenty of birds and owls - Isalo and ranomafana National Parks - Alley of the Baobabs Thoughts on Group Leader Claudia was amazing and very accommodating of our group. She was always laughing and had a smile on her face, despite all of our questions and different requests. She had plenty different tricks and tips to keep us all happy, including early starts to get ahead of other tours, where best to stop and pick up different souvenirs, and plenty of stories and advice about our travels. Advice for Potential Travellers Go with an open mind and take some time to slow down (Mura-Mura!) Madagascar goes on its own time, we never had to wait too long for anything but there was always something to watch or soak in the culture. I would definitely have packed more long sleeves and loose flowing clothing. While it was warm it was also very sunny and the longer clothing was better for the rainforest hikes, night walks and when there was no shade. Make sure to bring your regular travel medications (imodium, motilium, antihisamines, bite cream, electrolytes etc). I used a bit of everything at one point and you're better to have it than need it. Everyone's tummy was a little upset at some stage or another but nothing to cause too much concern. The food isn't too exciting but still tasty - most dishes come with boiled rice and vegetables. Make sure to bring a wide-brimmed hat, head torch and travel pillow. I used these 24/7 and were very appreciated. I also had a small fan to help keep me cool. I had a 70-200mm camera lens. The wildlife gets lovely and close so anything bigger isn't really needed. I stocked up on plenty of batteries and memory cards as power isn't always a given. We had short outages most nights (keep your headtorch handy!) I had a small power bank to keep my phone charged for videos during the days. Some of the hikes are a little tough with some high steps or climbing, so any preparation before with your fitness will help make it more enjoyable. There are plenty of stops for wildlife and water breaks so you never feel too pressured.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/15/2024
mary dunne - Traveled, October 2023
Madagascan Discoverer 16 day tour In general the trip was good. I enjoyed the scenery. We had a small group, only 7 people which was good. If there had been the full 16 guests, the bus would have been far too small. I loved seeing the Lemurs and the various treks that we did, especially the Tsingy. The hotels were very basic, quite disappointing in many places. The hotel at Ifaty Beach (La Plage) was the worst that we experienced. It is neglected, dirty, very poor quality beds, my room was musty, the fans didn’t work, the bedside lights didn’t work, we were there for two days and had no hot water. There was a smelly dog in the public area. The covers on the sun loungers were dirty. As a solo traveller, as usual with Exodus, I got the worst room, that is compared to what the couples in the group get. One hotel we stayed in, (Les chambers du Voyageur) the room was so small, I couldn’t open my suitcase inside the room, unless I put it right up to the entrance door of the room! There was no wardrobe, no place to put anything, so I had to put my rucksack on the bed beside me, I didn’t want to put it on the floor. The breakfasts were also very poor, quite often stale bread and an omelette made with just one egg! There was no toiletries in any of these hotels, just soap! The other big negative for me, was the extremely long drives on such poor roads. We had breakfast each morning and within minutes of eating, we were on these really bumpy roads. As a result, we all had stomach problems throughout the trip. One day we were on the bus for 13 hours and for the final five hours, we never stopped, neither to stretch our legs nor for a comfort stop! If the bus was full with 16 people, it would have been close to torture! Most Inspirational Moment Seeing the lemurs up close and doing the Tsingy walk. Thoughts on Group Leader Claudia was great, quite inspirational and with a great personality. She too had some medical issues during the trip but she kept going and behaved very professionally. She also had a personal tragedy to deal with, but we never suffered because of the things that were going on in her personal life. She was wonderful, we loved her. Advice for Potential Travellers Be very aware of the long journeys on such poor roads. For me this was a daily torture.. I hated the long bus journeys..! I think that the level of activity rating for this trip it not correct. The Tsingy walk was not for the faint hearted. I was well able for it, but it was tough for others. If I were to go again, I would take old clothes with me and donate them to the locals at the end of the trip. My clothes got really dirty on this trip! I would also take some goodies for the many children that we encountered along the way (Pens, pencils, note pads, yoyo's for hair, anything that would be light to carry!). I can't recommend this trip to any of my friends, because any of my friends wouldn't be able to cope with the long days and the long journeys. I appreciate that it is a big country and if you want to see it you have to travel. It was quite exhausting. One day we left our hotel at 05:30...! Suggestions Please Exodus, treat your solo travellers the same as the couples. We pay a single supplement, so we are entitled to be treated as equal to the others. I have been a customer for many years and I have done a number of trip with Exodus, Explore, G Adventures and Intrepid and sadly, the company who treats me least favourable are Exodus...!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/26/2023
Aneesa Dalwai - Traveled, August 2023
Only in Madagascar, a real adventure! I’ve wanted to visit Madagascar for some time, mainly to see the lemurs and to visit the giant baobab trees, but there is so much more to Madagascar, it has to be one of the most amazing and unique places I have ever travelled to! Everyday there was something new and exciting to experience. This is a fast-paced trip and you are always on the move, with quite a lot of long drives on poor roads, but I have to say it’s totally worth it, you just have to embrace it as part of the adventure. Even during the long drives the landscape is constantly changing, we travelled through cool rainforests, paddy fields, sandy beaches, canyons, deserts, spiny forests, rivers, and some really the fascinating towns and villages. Most Inspirational Moment We had great wildlife spotting - lots of opportunities to see lemurs in the wild and hearing the call of the Indri in the morning in Andasibe is just magical. So many highlights! The night walk in Kirindy was my favourite of the night safaris, and getting to the top of the Tsingy, was an unexpected yet terrifying highlight! The most unique though has to be the ‘ferry’ crossings on the Tsiribihina River – only in Madagascar! Thoughts on Group Leader The whole trip ran smoothly thanks to Claudia, our fabulous guide, who spent most of the trip checking ahead to make sure that everything was organised for us. She always kept us informed of all aspects of our itinerary and managed everything so that we didn’t waste time, particularly when ordering meals, wearing the right clothes for each activity, finding us good shopping spots (and bush toilet stops). She is also very knowledgeable about the country’s history, wildlife, food and we all enjoyed her talks on the Malagasy culture - which is also quite unique! Also all the local guides were fantastic and very engaging, they gave great detail and interesting explanations especially of the endemic wildlife, only to be found here. We had some amazing trackers seeking out lemurs, chameleons, mongoose and the tiniest of geckos and frogs. I was travelling with my sister and we both felt we had a great group too, lots of fun, like-minded people, who really added to enjoyment of the trip. Advice for Potential Travellers Read the trip notes thoroughly as they are full of really useful tips and information! My own top tips – definitely do laundry on two-night stopovers – everything gets very dusty! A travel pillow is doubly useful for both bus and flights! Make sure you take a head-torch for the night and cave walks. Stock up on snacks for long drives and I also recommend trying the local beers and infused rums! If you want five-star accommodation and amazing cuisine, this is not the trip for you. You’ll get a comfy bed and (generally) hot water, sometimes limited wi-fi and electricity, a limited (but cheap) menu of well-cooked meals of zebu/chicken/fish and rice. Suggestions Parts of Madagascar are extremely poor and it can be a lot to take in, but I was humbled at just how friendly everyone was, especially the children always smiling and waving from the side of the road, asking you for ‘bon bons’ and families so eager to talk to you. The unique wildlife and culture make Madagascar such a special destination, I felt we saw and experienced so much that it will take me a long time to process the whole trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/24/2023
Graham Dobbie - Traveled, May 2023
Madagascan Discoverer A fantastic adventure holiday. Yes the days are long with a lot of travelling, but the rewards along the way more than make up for it. The spotters ability to find lemurs, chameleons, frogs, geckos, etc (even in the dark!) was unbelievable. Our guide, Claudia, was one of the best guides we’ve ever had. The landscapes are varied and the people are lovely. Most Inspirational Moment Our day at the Tsingy. We saw lemurs and other animals as we walked through the forest, we enjoyed the via ferrata climb and were rewarded by the view from the top of the Tsingy. Thoughts on Group Leader Claudia, our guide, was absolutely excellent, one of the best we've ever had. She was super organised, knowledgeable and great fun. Advice for Potential Travellers Take a spirit of adventure. As per the trip notes, there are some long drives, but the wildlife and other activities more than make up for it. Suggestions We were pleasantly surprised by the standard of the hotels and the food.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/16/2023
David Denyer - Traveled, September 2019
Madagascan Discovery review This trip fulfils its promise of seeing Limas in their natural environment. However the country is extremely poor. All the sealed roads are riddled with potholes and the dirt roads are rough. Electricity is hit and miss and there are no street lamps even in the cities. Piped water is a rarity, Meat is butchered locally and sold from wooden huts (no fridges). If you survive this trip without diarrhoea then you are extremely lucky Most Inspirational Moment Lima watching Thoughts on Group Leader Generally excellent Advice for Potential Travellers Take extra care of hygiene
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/26/2019
SF Ho - Traveled, July 2019
Madagascar “Madagascan Discoverer” was a truly wonderful, very enjoyable, multi-faceted trip with a really excellent guide, Rija. I am writing this review to inform future customers about 1 less-than-good aspect because it might be a safety issue for some people booking this holiday. In addition, Exodus has failed to respond to the comments I made in my on-line post-holiday evaluation about this, so I do not know if Exodus has read the evaluation and is going to do anything to improve the situation. My criticism relates to the harnesses provided for the walk in the Grands Tsingy. Mine was too big for me, even when the smallest harness the company had was adjusted to the smallest possible size. This same problem also affected another person in the group. Both of us are slimmer than most other British adults. Fortunately, neither of us fell and came to any harm. If we had fallen and had had to rely on the harnesses to keep us safe, there would have been the potential for an accident or injury. If you are slim or if you have children who are intending to do the Via Ferrata in the Grands Tsingy, please consider bringing your or their own harness(es) that fits you/them. A harness that does not fit the wearer is of little use. I climb regularly and know how important this piece of equipment is and how a proper fit is necessary for safety. This deficiency on the part of Exodus is made worse because I had actually queried with Exodus BEFORE the trip whether I should bring my own harness to Madagascar. The reply that the Exodus rep gave me was that we would not be doing Via Ferrata and there was no need for the harness. This reveals that the Exodus representative does not know her product: we definitely did a Via Ferrata and we used climbing equipment. Other than this failing, and one or two things which were beyond the control of Exodus, the holiday was very good, hugely interesting and varied and I had a great time. I fully recommend this holiday and in particular, commend Rija for her excellent guiding. Most Inspirational Moment See above.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/14/2019
Charlotte Meller - Traveled, July 2019
Memorable Madagascar This trip gives you a glimpse of an incredibly varied country rich with unique wildlife and landscapes. Yes the roads maybe a bit bumpy ?? but you soon forget that when every day you see so many endemic lemurs, sifakas, chameleons and, if you are lucky, a fossa. The tour leader Rija is the best that I have ever met on an Exodus trip. Her vast knowledge and infectious passion made the trip even more special and memorable. Most Inspirational Moment Each type of forest -rain, spin and dry offered something different but they don’t prepare you for the spectacular limestone forest at Tsingy. Simply stunning. . Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared for delays on the internal flights !
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/26/2019
Holly Bayfield - Traveled, June 2019
Honeymoon We booked a personalised tour of Madagascar for our honeymoon. We saw everything we wanted to see and had local guides to help us spot the rarest of animals on our list. We arranged for a few additional days in Nosy Be (unguided) so we could finish our adventure with some scuba diving. Most Inspirational Moment The animals; a grey mouse lemur seen at night just inches away from us in Kirindy Reserve. A satanic leaf tailed gecko and brown leaf chameleon hidden in the rainforest of Ranomafana. Playful King Juliens. Turtles while diving. Many wonderful lemurs including seeing baby sifakas attached to their mothers. Truly wonderful to see so many amazing animals in their natural and protected habitats. Thoughts on Group Leader Bodo was excellent and a credit to Exodus. She gave us detailed information as we went along, a particular nicety was her writing down the animals we had seen so we could keep accurate records. She struck the perfect balance between being with us and giving us information and letting us enjoy some time alone. Besides being a great tour guide, she also showed extraordinary kindness and generosity as we explored the country, often handing out small gifts of food, water or school supplies to children along the way when it was appropriate to do so. It was a pleasant addition to our trip to spend time with such a lovely person. Advice for Potential Travellers Air Madagascar internal flights can be unpredictable. We had two problems which scuppered some plans including missing a connecting domestic flight because of a flight delay, and moving another flight forward 5 hours so we couldn't do an island tour to Nosy Komba that we had arranged. Not terrible as we adjusted our plans, but worth knowing. Suggestions We had a great trip! Credit also to our various drivers who were all superb.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/18/2019
Maddie Hallwood - Traveled, June 2019
A bladder stretching, inspiring, bumpy, simply amazing adventure! This is not a trip for anyone seeking a rest. The days are long and you aren’t going to get a nap on the bus unless you nab a front seat or can sleep literally anywhere. However, you will get to see some absolutely amazing creatures in the wild that you will not see anywhere else, see the magnificent baobabs, fake baobabs and fake fake baobabs and find yourself in more different landscapes and climates than you can reasonably expect in one country. So many people have told me Madagascar is on their wish list but, until you have been there, you can not imagine it. They need all the tourism they can get in order to help more locals understand how conservation can actually benefit them and, with the rarity of species that Madagascar has, the sooner you go, the better. Most Inspirational Moment I admit to getting tearful at my first sighting of an Indri in the wild - these animals do not survive in captivity. And actually finally getting close enough to a mouse lemur for me to see it with my own eyes - I could have watched them all night ( as they didn’t pay any heed to us). And, of course, actually getting up ( and down) the Tsingy. And the photos of the Alley of the Baobabs at sunset still take my breath away. Thoughts on Group Leader Rija is simply fantastic. She exudes passion and knowledge for her country and its peoples and nature, always seeking ways for us to understand more or have the answers to our questions. I particularly appreciated how she sought ways for us to interact with the locals so that we could all gain from the experience. She is very thoughtful, seeking to consider everyone’s particular preferences or circumstances and maintaining a sense of humour through out that is positively delightful. However, the test of a good guide is when things don’t go to plan and we had a little bit of an unscheduled extension to our trip. Rija was calm, clear and reassuring and, even when we had no idea when and how we would get home, we were happy to trust her judgment. I trust Exodus to treasure their relationship with Rija, she is an ambassador both for Exodus abs Madagascar. Advice for Potential Travellers Take a good torch and spare batteries. I hadnt realised just how many hotels do not have 24 hour electricity and I used my torch for pottering around inside my bungalows at night much more than for the night walks! The roads in Madagascar rival any I have seen anywhere else in the world for poor condition. But Dama, our main (modest) driver is capable of taking that bus anywhere. On the other hand, I was pleasantly surprised at the standard of hotel and food throughout the trip. There is an opportunity to do laundry after a week. All hotels we were in had WiFi at reception when they had electricity on and some had sufficient connection to support WhatsApp calls... how times have changed.. I suffer from vertigo and I managed the Tsingy ( with the help of my fellow travelers) - and I am glad I did. This trip ends with an internal flight back to the capital. When the trip notes say that internal flights can be unreliable, take that very seriously and don’t plan anything you really can’t miss for the days immediately after you get home just in case. Exodus did a brilliant job in getting us back as soon as they could, just like we knew they would. Suggestions If you have a sense of humour, a sense of wonder and like an adventure, do this!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/15/2019
Jess Ormerod - Traveled, June 2019
Review Loved the trip! See a lot but flip side is you are constantly travelling and some very long drive days. It would have been good to have more free time in places. We also had quite mixed abilities in the group but I think our tour leader managed this really well. Most Inspirational Moment Tsingy was the stand out but all the landscapes and parks are beautiful. Thoughts on Group Leader Mel was awesome. He really made the trip! Advice for Potential Travellers Bring snacks.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/15/2019
Charmaine Cook - Traveled, June 2018
An amazing island to discover This trip was amazing overview of Madagscar in a busy 2 week period. It was a fantastic combination of varying itinerary, the thrill of wildlife spotting, a superbly organised tour leader and a wonderful group of fellow travelers who made this trip to be so special. Most Inspirational Moment I have no idea why I was expecting rainforest everywhere as Madagascar is such a big country. So the dry forest at Kirindy was a joy to the senses - fresh leafy, earthy smells, crunch of the leaves underfoot, the warmth of the sun and the amazing lemurs, fossa (even if it was just at the lodge area), owls to be seen. My favourite bit was when the group of lemurs headed straight for us and had a gawp at us at very close range (touching distance) before heading higher into the trees. The fact that they actively approached humans was unique! So expect the difference of cool rainforest, tropical rainforest, dry forest, grasslands, mountains, desert/scrub and the amazing Tsingy. I loved the day hike around the Tsingy. As I have been climbing, caving and done many hikes, I was keen to do this day's walk. I was impressed that Exodus provided their own harnesses for the Via Ferrata - the harnesses provided to the other group were a bit old and tatty. The guides were very patient and helpful to members of the group who had issues with the climb or over the bridge. So everyone successfully completed the walk and had an amazing walk to remember. I was very thankful that I had my Camelpak to keep up the fluids readily as it was hot dry and sweaty work! Sunset at the baobabs was lovely - it is of course dependent on the clouds and dust in the atmosphere as how the sunset glows - but you feel like you are a world away from your worries at that time. Thoughts on Group Leader From the start, Sol was looking after us well. Three of us had our bags left in Nairobi by Kenya Airways so he arranged at no cost to ourselves for a taxi to pick us up and take us back to the airport to hope that our bags were on the next flight. This was Sol - always organising things and smoothing things along. He was so informative about the ethnic groups, the local industies, politics, history, flora and fauna. Many a time whilst on the bus, his dulcet tones lulled me to sleep but not through lack of interest but as he has such a calming voice. I think this say it all - Sol rushes in to get us to leave the restaurant post haste as the President of Madagascar is coming along this road and it could cause delays. We get to the ferry site, we are told we'll have to wait as the President is coming. Sol puts his foot down and states that he has responsibility for his clients and they are more important to him than the president at this moment!! We got on the ferry thankfully or would have had a delay of a number of hours and missed the baobabs at sunset! He made sure that we were looked after and if we had a request, he would try his best to accommodate this - purchasing suntan lotion in small towns, sarong shopping, stopping for Gem workshops....... Sol is a lovely gentleman who is a credit to Madagascar and to Exodus allowing us to have an amazing trip. He had a hard task to keep our group in order as we were like a bunch of frogs jumping everywhere when allowed out! He was funny, serious and interested in us as we were in his life too. Advice for Potential Travellers Madagascar is a huge country so distances to be covered make for long bus trips. A travel pillow is recommended. But this meant that we got to see the real lives of Madagascar - the activity on the villages as we traveled through, seeing the variety of houses in the different areas and the different farming activities. The landscape changes so much as well too -we might start at the seaside and be in rainforest by the end of the day. Don't expect a sleep in- we had a running joke by the end of the trip up with bags out and leaving at times that most holidays would never consider. But we needed to be on the road as our trip was pretty full on and a huge variety of animals and environments, that the last full day at the seaside was a free activities day was a godsend to have free time! As I previously mentioned the Tsingy and Isalo NP are hot so a Camel pak is better than just drinking out of a bottle - it stopped me from getting dehydrated as I drank 3 litres of water each walk. I had used previous reviewers information about changing money - Sol requests one the first day 200,000Ar (approx £40) for a kitty for drivers, guides etc. The airport has a number of exchange places that change euros, (post 2009 marked) USD and GBP. You have the opportunity to go back to the airport on Day 3 as well, or Day 9 we can change at a money changer in Morodava (with slightly poorer rates than at the airport) only euro or USD. I bought a few souvenirs, had an hours' massage, went snorkelling, tried to see the giant jumping rat and drank wine with my meals so I change £400. Did not change any money back but it was worth it! Suggestions Another word of thanks to our brilliant driver Dama. He was smooth and safe whilst driving us on long trips. The bus was always immaculately clean, withe bin emptied numerous times throughout the day, the floors swept daily and windows washed daily so it was a pleasure to be in. I think that this was a well thought out itinerary that gave the traveler an excellent taste of the variety of wildlife, landscape, local people and ways of life in such a compact schedule. It is an adventure that changes rapidly and keeps you marveling at the beauty of Madagascar. It is Africa but without the large game and that difference means that you have to look closer but then you enjoy what you find even more!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/29/2018
Danny Hyett - Traveled, August 2018
Go with an open mind Madagascar doesn’t fail to delight. From the rain-forests to the spiny-forests and the beaches to the highlands there is something to interest everyone. Each of these unique environments harbour their own specialised family of wildlife and the smallest of insects is as fascinating as the the largest of lemurs. It truly is a special place. Most Inspirational Moment Getting up close and personal with the ring-tailed lemurs was completely unexpected. Their indifference to us was fantastic as we watched them go about their business. Night walks seeking out the mouse lemurs, chameleons and tree frogs was equally exciting. The amazing range of scenery was stunning, even the long dusty roads against a blue-sky backdrop were dramatic. Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader, Claudia, was brilliant. She was in control at all times, had an excellent sense of humour and always in a good mood despite a few challenges along the way - especially when our internal flight to get us home was cancelled and she had to make alternative arrangements at very short notice. Advice for Potential Travellers Make sure you take a head-torch for the night and cave walks. Pack light if you can - there's only a 5kg carry-on limit on the internal flights and they do try to enforce it. If you're carrying an SLR take it out of your bag before they weight it - it'll save a lot of weight! Make sure you take some Imodium with you, half of our group needed it at some point and you'll be very grateful for it on the long drives! If you're into photography, take a tripod and get some pictures of the night-sky. The views of the milky way are spectacular - especially from the beach at Ifaty. The menus can become monotonous, if you just want a sandwich for lunch rather than a full meal then just ask for one. Also, stock up on snacks when you can. Suggestions Parts of Madagascar are extremely poor and it's a bit of an eye-opener, but I was staggered at just how friendly and approachable everyone is. Go with an open mind and you will not be disappointed.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/14/2018
Sharron Taylor - Traveled, August 2017
Madagascan Discoverer (2017) A busy and interesting trip that covers a lot of ground, sights and emotions in 2 weeks – I’m still absorbing the experience almost 2 weeks later! Early starts and some long days of travel, mainly in a comfortable bus or 4x4s – all part of the adventure and the only way to see so much in such a short time. The drivers (Dama: bus driver) and 4×4 drivers were excellent and negotiated sometimes difficult terrain with expertise. I loved the first week; the second week had some great highlights, but a lot of bus travel, which was broken up as much as possible by visits to villages, tombs and local craft areas. The hotels were generally good – a couple were better than expected which was a bonus. Food catered for all diets – meat, fish and vegetarian. Not much variety, but all decent quality. We never went hungry. Loved the opportunities to interact with local people and learn more about their culture. The people were mostly welcoming and friendly, although it’s impossible to escape the poverty. Most children asked for sweets, pens or ‘gifts’ – if you take gifts such as pencils etc ask your guide for advice on distributing them as he will know where they will be of most value. Expect a lot of street sellers in some places. So lucky to share the experience with a brilliant group of people. \ Most Inspirational Moment Seeing and hearing the indris (my favourite lemur). Climbing the Tsingy - challenging in places for those of us with issues around heights, but well worth it. Sunset at the Alley of Baobabs - although you will be with a large number of tourists gathering to see it - quite a funny sight! The ferry crossing with the 4x4s - fascinating. Isalo National Park walk, including the 'piscine naturelles'. Meeting local people and learning about their culture. Thoughts on Group Leader Sol was an excellent leader. All leaders that I've met over 12 years of travelling with Exodus have been good - and Sol is up there with the very best of them. He has incredible organisation skills, happily shares his knowledge on all things Madagascan, is a good leader - clear information, always available to help if required, but never in your face. Best of all he's a really nice guy with a great personality and is a real pleasure to spend time with. Advice for Potential Travellers On arrival at the airport avoid the 'helpful' staff in high viz vests who offer to help you jump to the front of the visa queue or help with your bags - they will charge you a fortune for the pleasure! Money - change cash at the airport. Only one hotel took credit cards, so you do need cash. £350-£400 should be sufficient for most people, including all tips, unless you like to buy a lot of souvenirs. Spend all your Ariary before check-in for the flight home (Euros preferred in departures). Take a first aid kit - I cut my foot on a rock and was glad I had antiseptic wipes, ointment and plasters to keep out infection. Most people had a 24/48 hour stomach bug (cramps or the 'runs') at some point - not a major issue, but come prepared. Bring toilet wipes as many loos whilst out and about don't have loo roll and hotels only provide a small roll! I'd also recommend hand sanitizer. Hotel laundry services at Olympe de Bemaraha and Ihary were good and inexpensive. Suggestions A full on trip, but worth the effort.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/19/2017
Gyan Fernando - Traveled, June 2017
A Real Adventure in A Big Island A rather hectic journey taking you from Antananarivo, the capital city, to the East and then to the West seeing a large chunk of this big island state. It involves two internal flights and bumpy Jeep rides and two ferry crossings in open vehicle ferries in the scorching-ly hot Sun. All part of the adventure! Just put on your sunscreen and don’t complain! Most of the time it was a comfortable mini-bus driven by Dan, a very good driver Nature lovers won’t be disappointed as there are Lemurs and Chameleons everywhere. The trees (Baobabs) and Eurphorbias are equally interesting but beware that this is a poor country. Most Inspirational Moment Two: Seeing Baobab Alley on two occasions, once at sunset and the moment a friendly Lemur gently jumped on my shoulder and stayed put! In spite of the mad rush by our group to get good good pics of the Lemurs at the start, towards the end we found a glut of Lemurs. Thoughts on Group Leader Sol Razafimahazo, a charming guy, was a tolerant and knowledgeable leader. He had everything in hand from the moment he got us to change money at the airport on arrival, handed us pocket maps and after the interesting tour, made sure that we got checked in for the homeward journey. He was in contact with hotels and restaurants on the long journeys and would pre-order food for us to cut down on the waiting times. One of the best that I have met in over 15 years of traveling with Exodus! Advice for Potential Travellers The roads are largely unpaved and washed away. The 4 wheel vehicles are therefore essential. Be prepared for dusty, bumpy rides. The drivers are very safe but do put on seat belts. Take anti-Malaria tablets. The hotels we stayed in provided good mosquito nets and repellents but you can get bitten outdoors. One trek involves rock climbing (Exodus trip notes specifically warn you about this!) and, at my age, I opted out of it. Sensible shoes are a must. There is no point bringing fancy evening clothes. There is no National Electric Grid as such and in most parts the hotels have their own generators which, understandably, only work when needed. Electronic devices are a pain as some of the group found out. Signals are weak and the power not reliable. Internal flights weigh your baggage assiduously! Be warned! Airlines confiscate a lot of items including locally produced souvenirs. Do check with your tour leader before buying. Cuisine is either local or French or Italian. Do not expect a full English Breakfast although in all the hotels, we did get eggs cooked the way we wanted. Suggestions It takes a long time to get from Antananarivo airport to Hotel Belvedere. This was fine at the start but when, on the last day, we had to fly from Tuliary Airport to Antananarivo, drive to Hotel Belvedere through heavy traffic, have a quick dinner/turnaround and drive back to the same airport to catch our flights back home it was a little bit of a pain. Sol did his best to smooth things out: Some of us opted to leave our big bags in the coach so as not to waste time loading and unloading. Maybe it would be a good idea to find accommodation closer to the airport on the last day.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/10/2017
Annemarie Cavana - Traveled, May 2019
Madagascar wonderful adventure our guide Armel was fantastic he showed us so much on our journey through Madagascar, he was so proud of his country and wanted us to experience as much as we could in the short time we had in each place The experience from start to finish was amazing, we got to see the variety of scenery, culture, wildlife and so much more. I would highly recommend going to see this part of the world ?? Most Inspirational Moment The time we walked up peak Toby Camping overnight then setting off at 4.30am having breakfast on a ledge with our porters were all set up and organised Then finally reaching the top with an amazing view Thoughts on Group Leader Armel is a credit to your company taking great pride in his job and organising everything to presision We had some lovely surprises Even had a Easter cake delivered in the middle of nowhere on Easter Sunday That was something that wasn’t expected Voiding to malagasi homes The list goes on Advice for Potential Travellers Buy malagasi dollars Suggestions I can’t wait for my next adventure x
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/19/2019
Fredrick Schaff - Traveled, September 2016
MADAGASCAR DISCOVERER Although an awful lot of driving — plus two internal flights — it was a “Discoverer” trip and we certainly did see — and do — a lot and, OMG, having been on many trips/tours, Madagascar was more “In the Past” than I have been on before but, while extremely poor, peoples seemed well-fed and were invariably pleasant and always putting forth their best effort to keep things neat and clean (where dirt and dust was everywhere) Most Inspirational Moment At age-83, having survived the hike-in, the climbs/etc to the Peaks, the bridge, and back-out at Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve. Thoughts on Group Leader Taskmaster who put it all together to do the most, see the most -- often with special events -- in a region where Mora-Mora rules everything and Mel was able to overcome it. Advice for Potential Travellers if you wish for unique exposure to nature and people different from almost anything you've ever seen -- DO IT !! Suggestions Exodus failed badly at beginning by not describing the need for "kitty", lunch & dinner monies plus "for goodies" in a region where ATM's are very scarce and the Need for an estimated $800-USD = 2,400,000-Local currency (for two) at airport in a world where 400,000 was MAX withdrawal from ATM's caused problems (which did get resolved)
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/28/2016
Catherine Grimes - Traveled, August 2016
Madagascan Discoverer This was my second trip to Madagascar, I wanted to go somewhere that I have not been before so I thought that going to the west of Madagascar would be a good idea and I was not disappointed. The Tsingy was amazing with stunning views and the “Alley of Baobabs” at dusk was stunning. Most Inspirational Moment Walking in the Tsingy, it was better than I ever imagined. I had not been to Anja park before and I was pleasantly surprised to see the ring tailed lemurs enjoying themselves in a natural setting. I have never seen so many ring tailed lemurs in a single tree as I did here. Walking in the Isalo National Park was stunning. Thoughts on Group Leader Our tour leader Sol was very good and he was very helpful when people had problems. Advice for Potential Travellers Don't miss out on seeing the spiny forest at Ifaty. It was very sunny so take some good sunscreen, I used factor 50 and didn't burn. Suggestions The east of the island can be wet as we found at the Andasibe and Ranomafana national parks. However, as this holiday concentrated on the middle and west of Madagascar, there was good weather everywhere apart from the above mentioned national parks. There is some long coach journeys but it was worth it.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/18/2016
John Matthiessen - Traveled, June 2016
Madagascar Discoverer What a sensational trip! Broad in extent; deep in experiences in this fascinating country. Covering an amazing and surprising diversity of landscapes, wildlife, plant life, cultures and endless moments of ‘what’s next around the corner to amaze the senses?’ Just immerse yourself and be deeply rewarded! Most Inspirational Moment I was just blown away by the whole experience. Obviously the wildlife (lemurs, chameleons) and the baobabs are something very special, and I really loved the 4WD trip to Tsingy and back. Thoughts on Group Leader In a word: exceptional! Armel ('Mel') was so knowledgeable, informative, caring and an absolute bundle of fun - and, above all, just so thoroughly professional. I simply cannot speak more highly of this terrific guy! Advice for Potential Travellers Just do it!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/19/2016
Harvey Trop - Traveled, July 2016
Discovering Madagascar This is a fantastic trip! The scenery is quite breathtaking at times, and the wildlife encounters were better than I expected. You get to see a lot of what is a very big island, and you can get a peek into Malagasy culture. Most Inspirational Moment My number one highlight was the hike through the Tsingy; it had dramatic scenery, wildlife, technical hiking and bouldering all in one day. Number two would be hearing the Indri location call from just a few feet away. Thoughts on Group Leader Sol (Solofoniray Razafimahazo) was outstanding. He was a great ambassador for the Malgasy culture and his patience and calm under all conditions was really inspirational. He always prepared the group for what we were likely to expect the following day, so we were always properly dressed. Little things like that can really add to the enjoyment of the experience. Advice for Potential Travellers Be sure to lock your rooms and your valuables (especially money) at all times, especially at night. At one place, my roommate was robbed by a thief who entered our room while we were sleeping! Avoid the local Malagasy wine; it's reputation as swill is well deserved; the imported wines available at the restaurants were of good quality and very reasonably priced. Suggestions This was my first trip with Exodus, but I believe it won't be my last.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/29/2016
Deborah Barber - Traveled, September 2016
Madagascar Discoverer A good trip which covers a lot of ground, literally. There are some very long days travelling on pretty rough roads in hot and dusty conditions. Perhaps I should have studied the trip notes more carefully before booking the trip. Clean and comfortable hotels, although occasionally only a “set menu” was available. At a small resort, like Grace Lodge this was quite understandable, but at some of the larger places it seemed to be more for their convenience than the guests. Most Inspirational Moment The hightlight for me was Vakona Lemur Island, where you can get up close and personal with the lemurs. Grand Tsingy was suitably dramatic and the walk through Isalo National Park was excellent. Thoughts on Group Leader Ben, our group leader was helpful and knowledgeable. Advice for Potential Travellers Be aware of the length of the drives involved, and the days of consecutive driving. But the ferry crossings were good fun.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/19/2016
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