Madagascar

Madagascar is truly the most overwhelming and wonderful country. For any Francophile, Madagascar is a wonderful melting pot. The result is a sort of Franco/African laissez-faire that completely suits the highly individual country which is populated by people who are incredibly friendly, big hearted, courteous and kind. The capital, Tana, is a truly interesting city with a melange of local and French architecture. There are three excellent overall reasons to visit this magnificent island. The first, of course, is the wildlife. No biology lesson has ever been so interesting! There are over 70 species of lemur and one never forgets the cry of the wonderful Indri Indri lemur. At certain times of the year, humpback whales come into the bay at Ile St Marie, and one can go out with scientific researchers to listen to them, using hydrophones. One can also go out with scientists researching the Hawksbill Turtle at a nearby island. There are also 18 different tribes on the island, representing varying cultures linked by a strong belief in the afterlife, which manifests itself in ritual exhumation ceremonies. There are over 1000 species of orchid here, too which can be seen in various areas including the Masoala peninsula. There is so much to do on this, the world's fourth largest island! Whether horse riding in the stunning scenery of Isalo, marvelling at the bizarre tsingys (limestone rock or sandstone formations that have formed into needlelike structures), staying at a tiny Relais, or perhaps chartering a catamaran for a few days to a week with friends or family; Madagascar has something for everyone. The beaches are also second to none, and we have some really stunning Robinson Crusoe type hideaways, which whilst being simple, and enormously comfortable, allows a sense of feeling at one with the ocean and of course, the scuba diving and snorkelling is superb! For those seeking a greater degree of comfort, we can recommend some boutique lodges on the coast as well as a magnificent Relais et Chateaux establishment. Whatever your fancy - lemurs, learning about another culture, or exotic beaches, or sailing, Madagascar has something for everyone and we can arrange the most wonderful, interesting holidays to Madagascar.