10 independent reviews for Southern Madagascar, Lemurs, baobabs & beaches
Reviews for Southern Madagascar, Lemurs, baobabs & beaches
Maggie Lim review 16 Aug 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing the Indri close up in the wild and spotting chameleons and birds.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Preparation of meals can take some time; relax and chill way to go; also, the guides may not shower for entire period of travel, don’t expect too much in personal hygiene3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Fees for NP goes to conservation causes, but not so sure how the transportation to the places using roads with many pot holes that needed working on, we as travellers are helping with it.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Good organisation and a very appreciated holiday indeedRead the operator's response here:
Thank you very much for your comments. I am glad that you had a great trip.
Interestingly this is the first time we have heard a personal hygiene comment and do appreciate this. Our guides do shower but don't tend to wash their clothes during the trip (as we are normally moving on reguarly ). We will look to see if we can offer our guides a laundry service en-route....
With regard to the roads, obviously some of the tourist money that is bought into the country does get through to the government with taxes etc. Unfortunately roads are not a priority for the government so potholes are a fact of life in Madagascar.
Once again, I am so glad you enjoyed your trip :) Best regards
Laurenne
Sarah Morton review 28 Jul 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
It was all very memorable . I loved the very diverse landscapes - one minute you had the feeling you were in Africa and the next minute Peru - such is the mixture of people and scenery. Seeing lemurs in the wild was definitely a highlight - especially seeing the Indri lemur. You also get the opportunity to be close up with more domesticated lemurs at various points along the tour. All the hotels were excellent and the food (and rum...) were of a high quality.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Choose the time of year to go which best suits you as each month has its pros and cons - so read up on it carefully. July was a quite a busy time for tourists in the forests. Also, take only euros, no dollars as dollars are accepted in a very limited number of places and the rate of exchange is terrible. I suggest getting alot of small change in local currency - you are expected to tip for service, porters etc and remember that you have guides and spotters for each different activity not just one guide all the way through (you do have the same driver all the way though) so the tips add up. I also suggest taking binoculars or a long lens as the lemurs are typically high up in the trees and difficult to spot. Additionally, if you are really into wildlife and want to learn more, then its best to do your own reading rather than rely on the guides. The guides know alot but most of the time is spent spotting and then viewing the animals rather than talking about their habits. Last tip - try the rum. Most bars make their own infused rum and they come in various flavours3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, all of the hotels employed local staff and we stopped at a few places where we could buy local handicraft. Also, Madagascar itself is a very environmentally conscious country .4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Thoroughly enjoyable, just the right amount of days to discover as much as you could of Madagascar and included just enough wildlife watching. There is a lot of time on the road but I quite liked this as it goes through pretty scenery. All hotels were good but some hotels were just amazing!Alan Vaughan review 10 Nov 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The wildlife and the culture are strikingly different but for us, the whole package was so impressively arranged and executed: it made the whole holiday special.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be clear about what you want to see and do and trust the tour operator to fit the package around your needs.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
This holiday is definitely environmentally sound, as much as one can be where travel is involved and indeed locals approached us to thank us for coming because they badly need tourism and the money it brings. We would encourage anyone to visit: this is a fragile environment in what is, in many ways, a fragile country and they need help.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We were very impressed with all aspects of this holiday and felt that it was faultless throughout. The itinerary suited us and went like clockwork, our guide and driver were excellent, the hotels and food were beyond our expectations and we saw a lot more wildlife than we dared hope. This tour operator is highly recommended.Janet White Spunner review 3 Nov 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
National parks, lemurs and chameleons.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
All breakfasts are Continental. Eggs were usually available at extra cost. Warm clothes needed early and late. Nights were colder than expected, but that meant a good nights sleep!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Tourism is essential to the economy. Bought beautiful crafts for very little money. Hopefully our attitude to the exploitation of the country by deforestation and other things will help.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Great holiday. Stayed in some lovely places. People were very friendly. Food was good and rum cheap!!Jean Dance review 22 Oct 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The whole package was an exciting adventure. This was my second visit to Madagascar. The whole package was an exciting adventure. Two years ago I went to Madagascar with another Company. This holiday was far superior in every way. It was well organised and had a degree of flexibility. Matthew Williams-Ellis (the Professional Photographer) excelled with his tuition and attention to detail when teaching photography. Apart from Madagascar itself the most exciting times were spent rising at 4.30 am to photograph sunrise / the golden hour. At night perched on a rock to photograph a sunset. Last night we took photos of a Baobab under the stars. Pioneer's link with Madamax ensured we had excellent accommodation, well informed Guide and first class drivers. I have traveled with several companies. In future i will always choose to travel with this one.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Book with this operator. Everything is well organised, well in advance. They are always available 'at the end of the phone' to give advice and answer questions. To understand 'giving tips' when / how much and to whom.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I am sure our visit benefited local people in supporting their economy, respecting their way of life, appreciation of all they are doing in conservation.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This was the best holiday I have ever had. I enjoyed every minute. The group size of eight people was ideal. My previous visit to Madagascar (with another company) was like 'a school trip' rigid and over organised. This trip was very well organised, yet had a degree of flexibility.Karlyn Langjahr review 24 Aug 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The lemurs! But honestly there were so many memorable experiences from this trip that will stand out for a lifetime! I honestly felt like I was away much longer and in multiple countries, such was the diversity of landscape throughout the trip. Highlights for me included: 1) standing in the forests of Analamazaotra Special Reserve under the largest species of lemurs (Indris) as family groups called to each other, echoing throughout the forests in a beautifully eerie tone (which moved me to tears); 2) hiking in Ranomafana National Park's rain forest and encountering various groups of lemurs, especially when a male Red-fronted Brown lemur came 1m away from me and looked into my eyes; 3) hearing different calls made 4) walking along UNESCO World Heritage site Avenue of Baobabs in the morning mist when other tourists weren't around; 4) night walk through Kirindy Forest and finding many nocturnal lemurs among the trees, with the unspoiled Southern Hemisphere starry sky poking from the canopy- this was after spotting an adult fossa in the wild; 5) catching the breeze of the piroque when sailing from Ifaty to Manguilly for the Dr. Seuss-like trees of Renaila Forest Reserve, which also serves as a rescue center for captive lemurs returning to the wild!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
I booked the Madagascar South West itinerary with a group, and extended on my own to Morondava and Kirindy Reserve afterwards, which was a fantastic addition! If you can, add additional days at Andasibe to include exploring Mantadia side of the National Park, another day in Ranomafana to enable hiking the trails beyond the main tourist circuit/loop, and an extra day in Isalo National Park. I would have LOVED camping 1 night in Isalo to have both sunrise/sunset in that spectacular canyon environment. I also wish I would have included Tsingy de Bemaraha in the add-on component, but am definitely going back to Madagascar to do and see more!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I think Madagascar is a country that is very much in need of promoting ecotourism in order to safe guard its natural resources. It was difficult at time to experience the poverty and begging, and witness the vastly deforested land when travelling from location to location. So yes, I believe the trip overall helped boost the economy and support jobs. I am glad we had both a driver AND guide, while also involving local guides at each of the sites for their expertise.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I've travelled quite extensively and have the great fortune of living/working in some amazing destinations in the field of conservation, and I would say Madagascar is probably my favorite place. It truly is a one-off, and I can't wait to go back with my husband to share the magic of lemurs, wildlife, diversity and people/culture with him!Antonia Lopez review 23 May 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Difficult to say as there were so many wonderful moments. The quality of the accommodation was very high. The guide and driver professional and extremely knowledgeable. And of course the lemurs were glorious.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take a kettle if you like a cuppa. You do need some stamina - even with 2 night stops the programme is packed. You can say no to some of the visits - we would have liked one or 2 afternoons off to enjoy the facilities of the lodges.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
In terms of employment - yes. We also visited a women’s co operative (weaving) it was not on the itinerary, we found out about it by chance. Our guide was involved with the forest and wildlife welfare. The reef at our beach resort was barren and we did not buy from people selling turtles and dried starfish. Tourism funds conservation and stops deforestation in protected areas. (To be advised to take biodegradable soap when you are covering yourself in deet daily seemed a little pointless - maybe that’s just me!) there was a lot of poverty and the contrast between the luxury lodges and what the locals lives in made me wince.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
An amazing experience. Well run itinerary, we felt very safe throughout our stay. The lodges were wonderful.Catherine Lee review 13 Aug 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The Indri Indri and Isalo2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for the long periods in the jeep - but all worth it for the amazing experiences you will have. Pack light and take a good camera. Expect to have incredible sightings of the lemurs.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Mostly. There was one visit to a gem factory where animals were kept in poor conditions. I was not happy about this particular visit. All the other visits I feel were supportive of the people and conservation.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent - this was an amazing trip to see the lemurs. We saw 16 species, most in fairly close proximity as well as other wildlife. There was some inflexibility with food which caused us to go without eating on some days but this didn't detract from our adventure overall.Read the operator's response here:
Many thanks for your review. We do really appreciate your comments and are delighted you had an amazing trip.
Yes I agree with you some of the journeys on the South West trip are long- but plenty of life to see on the road and as you said - worth it to visit the national parks.
We appreciate you bringing to our attention the gem factory. With all of our trips, there is some flexibility as to where clients stop depending on what they want to see, the guide etc, so I don't believe this has been on our itinerary before. We do not promote anywhere that keeps animals in poor conditions (which sadly is not uncommon in Madagascar) so will ensure we communicate this to the factory and will exclude this from any future stops unless they are able to make changes.
Regarding food, I know this was a concern before you went. The hotel restaurants tend to have 1 or 2 options only, but always a vegetarian option (as we pass this information on in advance). Generally vegetarians are fairly well catered for, so I hope this was the case with you. When I was there in June, as a vegetarian, there tended to be lots of rice and vegetables (not much/ any choice - but it was fine). I know your husband was more particular in his food options - I will email you to get a few more details, to see if there is anything we can ask the hotels to improve in the future. In Madagascar vegetables and rice tend to be the main dish - with chicken, zebu steak or fish as the side.
Anyway, thanks again - we really do appreciate you taking the time to submit a review. I will be in touch shortly.
Katarina Bakoova review 29 May 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Everyday was different and memorable.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Definitely look for the guide named Henry 1. He makes the trip more fun and one of the best guides ever.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes I think so.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The Madagascar vacation was an absolute success. Wonderful country and a lot a lot to offer to the tourists. My guide Hendry did a great job ! Very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. And the driver Henry 2 very patient.Carolina Ferreira review 31 Oct 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The Lemur island near Andasibe, where we were able to touch tons of lemurs!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Expect long drive hours and different accommodation standards vs. Europe. Also, tourists don't blend in. You're always an outsider in Madagascar, and will always be treated as a foreign tourist. It's not the place to go if you want to blend in with the local population (especially because they're French and English are quite poor).3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was a great experience, but I think the agency could have done a better work at managing the group's expectations. We were not expecting such long drives, some people were shocked by some of the hotels' conditions or the knowledge level of the local guides. To me, the most annoying part was not these aspects, but the fact that the other group members kept complaining about them all the time. I would have preferred for everyone to be on the same page and enjoy the adventure!Read the operator's response here:
Many thanks for your review.
We really do appreciate your comments. I am delighted you had a great trip overall - I agree with you, it is a shame that a couple of other people in your group were not on the same page as you.
We really do try and manage expectations with Madagascar but it is not always possible. Madagascar is an amazing country - but it is not an easy country to travel in and is far less developed touristically than many other 'adventurous destinations' people visit. As you quite rightly point out - it is not a place where you can simply blend in. We include a practical information document where we highlight the importance of 'going with the flow etc' in Madagascar. This document also tries to highlight the distances travelled in Madagascar (on poor roads) - every year we attempt to change our itineraries to highlight how long these journeys are - but it is forever changing - we will look to improve these again.
We use the best available accommodation - in some places this really is good (eg. Isalo, Ifaty, Tana) in others (eg. Ranomafana) it really can be very basic. This is especially true in October which is peak season, so good accommodation gets booked up quickly.
Thanks again for taking the time to feedback.
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