We’ve been having many Madagascar safari requests lately and we’ve noticed that there are some common misconceptions about Madagascar which I’d like to address.

Madagscar is not for everyone… if you really like good quality accommodation, expect a holiday to unfold exactly as the brochure says and have difficulty coping with change, then perhaps Madagascar is not for you. However if you have a spirit of adventure, welcome the unexpected, and are willing to accept some irritations and rustic conditions, then Madagascar, with its pristine flora and extra-ordinary wildlife, could be the perfect destination for you. We recommend that you visit at least two, and preferably three or four, of its distinct climatic and floral zones.

Type of accommodation
Unlike many countries in Southern Africa, there really isn’t that much choice in terms of accommodation in Madagascar except in the beach resorts of Nosy Be and Ile Sainte Marie. The accommodation is reasonable but usually not of a very high standard and so if you are someone who only enjoys the finer hotels and lodges then you need to appreciate that this is not on offer in Madagascar. We try to tell it as it is in our proposals so that there should be no surprises when you are on holiday so read our comments thoroughly.

Having said that, Nosy Be and Ile Sainte Marie do offer a higher standard of hotel and so this is where you can upgrade your accommodation to offset the more modest lodges elsewhere.

Cost
Some clients are under the impression that because the hotel standard is not high, the cost of a Madagascar holiday will be moderate. Unfortunately this is not really the case. Though it is not one of the most expensive safari destinations in Africa, it is not cheap. There are a variety of reasons for this:

The international flight to Madagascar is expensive (due to lack of competition). However this should be changing as SA Airlink introduces a new direct flight from Johannesburg to Nosy Be. This will stimulate South African interest in Madagascar and lead to lower air prices.

Madagascar is a huge country and therefore the domestic flights between Tana and Fort Dauphin (for Berenty) and Tana and Morondava are also expensive. Given that most people want to experience the diversity of Madagascar’s flora and fauna, you usually will visit  3 or 4 different regions.

The hotels and lodges are priced in Euros and charge European-style prices.

English-speaking guide or not?
One factor which has a big influence on the cost of your safari is whether you take a private English-speaking guide. We usually give you the price with and without this guide.

If you choose the basic tour, your hotel transfers (from the airports to your hotels and from Tana to Perinet) are with a local driver who will not speak much, if any, English. This is fine if you speak French (which is a common language in Madagascar) or if you are really looking for the cheapest possible cost, but could be frustrating if you want to ask your driver about something you’ve seen en route, or ask a general information question. However when you get to the National Park just as Perinet or Berenty, you join the scheduled tours and excursions with the English-speaking park rangers. However as these are scheduled, you will be joining other people who may or may not have the same interests and requirements as you.

The alternative is to take a English-speaking private guide. We include this as standard if you are a party of four people as the cost is not so much more however we offer it as a supplement if you are just 2 or 3 people. It is quite a bit more than the basic tour as you have to pay the guide’s daily fees and also his accommodation and meals but in exchange you have much more flexibility and will gain so much more knowledge about the wildlife and sights of Madagascar so we strongly recommend it.

Note that if you fly from one area to another, you will have different English-speaking guides in each region. The guide does not accompany you on the flight. So you’ll have one guide for your visit to Perinet and another one who meets you at Fort Dauphin for your visit to Berenty.

To read Points to consider when planning your Madagscar Safari- Continue… click here

I’ve just spent three days in the Okavango Delta in Botswana, staying at Stanley’s Camp for two nights and at Chiefs Camp for the third night. It felt as if I had been away for a month! I experienced so many amazing and awesome moments, the most special of which was the interaction with the elephants at Stanleys Camp -  Jabu, Tembe and Morula.

After breakfast we were transferred to the trio of elephants where we met Doug Groves who, together with his wife, Sandi, has cared for these elephants since 1988. He first set down some rules before we were introduced to Jabu, a proud and handsome bull who enjoys his role as the Alpha male of the small herd. We were then invited one by one to stand with Jabu and were allowed to touch him, to feel the difference in the skin of his legs, armpits and trunk, whilst Doug was chatting to us about elephants. Standing underneath the head of an elephant while touching his trunk and leg is indeed very special. Different emotions rush through you – you’re scared and wonder how you can even dream of standing underneath such a huge animal;  yet you are also awestruck by the trust and tranquility you feel around him.  Jabu short for Jabulani, a common Zulu name, means Happiness and indeed Jabu’s zest for life is inspiring.  He is kind, playful, generous, big-hearted and dependable. Of the three elephants he is the most independent and confident. After the introduction to Jabu, we then met Tembe and Morula. The end of the tail of an elephant feels like fencing wire!  Thembi short for Thembigela, is a common Zulu name meaning Trust. Thembi is the sweetheart of the herd and the smallest in stature. Smart and very social, she loves to be the centre of attention.  Morula weaves a powerful magic of her own as in her quiet and subtle way she captures your heart with her sincere, loyal and sweet nature.

After ample time for having your photograph taken with the elephants, you then accompany the herd on their foraging trek. You are invited by Doug to walk in front of the elephants. Morula placed her trunk on my shoulder and gently steered me in the direction she wanted to go. I cannot begin to explain how small, but at the same time how special, I felt. Imagine leading a trio of elephants through the bush! All guests are given the opportunity to experience this. The walk, through the stunning scenery of the Okavango Delta with its huge trees and grass plains, lasts approximately one hour.

Lunch is then served under the shade of  huge Sausage trees with the elephants in close proximity.  You are given a final opportunity after lunch for a photo with Jabu when he stands next to you at the table. His trunk actually pushes against the table! Doug then gets Jabu and Morula to demonstrate the various sounds that they make before Morula gives each guest a goodbye kiss. You are then officially a member of the “Living with Elephants” foundation.

Doug and Sandi strive to give Jabu, Thembi and Morula a life that is as close to elephants’ natural lives as possible, yet one that is cushioned from the enormous pressures, insecurities and challenges with which wild elephants are confronted. The Groves vowed from the beginning never to compromise the quality of life and security their elephants need. They are proud that their trio live a life so near to that of wild elephants that they even share grazing grounds. Currently, Grey Matters, Doug and Sandi’s Botswana-based company, supports the elephant Trio through educational-based eco-tourism. Through Grey Matters international visitors have the opportunity, through Jabu, Thembi and Morula, to foster a kinship with the African elephant. For further information visit the website www.livingwithelephants.org.

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Seba Camp, was probably our favorite.  The camp and staff was fabulous. We simply connected well with the staff at Seba and had by far the most qualified guide there.  He was a true Bushman who showed us how to track animals to find them and he pointed out many of the smaller things which we would not have been as interested in had we already not seen the large animals elsewhere.

*** Seba Wilderness Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Akeru was truly wonderful!
The lodge has a lovely atmosphere, a friend said it sounded like rustic luxury and I think this describes it well. I expected short game drives and lots of relaxation time but this was not the case. We were up at 5am and didn’t return for breakfast until well after 9am. A walk was then arranged followed by lunch and we were back in those land rovers by 4.45/5pm returning after dark at about 7.30/8pm for dinner. Having been on safari before I now realise how I was short changed in the past. Akeru really took care to ensure that we made the most of being in the park. The service was excellent, the food terrific and the game rangers incredibly knowledgeable so this was a real highlight.

*** Akeru Safari Lodge, Timbavati Game Reseve, Mpumalanga, South Africa