Madagascar Wildlife Holidays
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 this 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. Think pristine beaches, private catamarans complete with skipper and cooks so that you can simply relax and snorkel each day; amazing wildlife from lemurs to tomato frogs; kayaking around the Masoala Peninsula; african style tented camps on a beautiful river with superb walking and guiding; incredible tsingys – sandstone features. Whale watching with hydrophones. Great walking through stunning desert scenery. Perfect for a honeymoon or family holiday alike – this is an explorer’s dream!
Highlights of Your Holiday in Madagascar
- Its people and eclectic culture – over 18 different tribes
- The wildlife. No biology lesson has ever been so interesting! There are over 70 species of lemur
- Humpback whales
- Hawksbill Turtles – and going out with researchers for both the whales and the turtles
- Plantlife – over 1000 species of orchid
- Beaches of Madagascar – pristine and beautiful – from Robinson Crusoe hideaways to Relais et Chateaux
- Tsingys – red and grey sandstone formations, simply awesome
- Kayaking around the Masoala peninsula and walking through the forests
- Sailing – chartering a catamaran complete with skipper, cook and butler
- Horse riding
- Desert areas of the south, including Isalo and Andringitra
General Information on Madagascar
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. There is also a wonderful tented camp in the south of the country – this is magnificent territory. The vegetation is so varied, from baobab forests, to sisal plantations, salt water lagoons and desert scenery. With just six tents and owner managed, this camp is unique to Madagascar. The general form of accommodation tends to be either gorgeous villas, resort hotels or small, boutique lodges on the coast and islands and inland, there is a mixture of either simple and often outdated lodges to privately owned homes which are thoroughly charming.
