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Travel Madagascar and enjoy
mystical Madagascar holidays. |
From your Madagascar hotel tours can be arranged
for, site seeing the Madagascar Island, wildlife, deep sea diving,
water sport and shopping can all be on the itinerary for your
Madagascar holiday tour. How about hunting down the famous Madagascar
hissing Cockroach? What a Magical Island !
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We offer you 2 Madagascar holiday options : |
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1) As a
complete package ex Johannesburg including all ground arrangements and
inclusive of travel agents international & domestic airfares. |
2) You
arrange your own international flights from your home directly to
Antananarivo, Madagascar, and we will take care of all your domestic
flights, ground
arrangements, hotels and transfer etc. |
Orientate
yourself with our Madagascar Map below.
SELFTOURS of South Africa
also offer tours of Madagascar
either as an add-on to your South African tour
or as a separate Madagascar tour.
To assist you
further we offer Madagascar travel tips below.
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Madagascar island
The world's 4th largest island,
measuring 1571 km in length and 571 km across. Because
of its isolation most of its mammals, half its birds,
and most of its plants exist nowhere else in the world.
For those who are looking for
something new and different in a holiday, a Madagascar
vacation is for you. From exploring the unusual features
and activities to a relaxing beach holiday in the tropical
sunshine.
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Almost everything is
strangely different, on the Madagascar island, wildlife,
the famous Madagascar hissing Cockroach, the spiny
forest trees, the
fauna, the Tsingy rock formations, everything you'll see and
touch on your Madagascar holiday is seldom found anywhere
else. The only place in the world where you can see
Sifaka lemurs
dancing with their babies in the wild. The Madagascar
island also has its share of beautiful beaches and magnificent
untouched coral reefs enticing scuba divers and snorkellers
into the warm Indian Ocean waters.
This makes Madagascar
holidays not only unique but a compellingly destination
to explore.
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to the Madagascar Island
and
Be one of the few to explore this new & exciting island
holiday destination. |
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Choose
from our two Madagascar island tours below.
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| Nosy
Be Island
For a basic 7 day
package and selection of hotels, ex Johannesburg.
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Sainte
Marie Island
For a basic 7 day
package and selection of hotels, ex Johannesburg.
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Travel Madagascar, for an experience of a lifetime on the
Madagascar islands.
WHY?
Because you are going to have a hand in designing your
travel to Madagascar with SELFTOURAFRICA'S assistance.
Travel on Madagascar Holidays - we fly Air Madagascar and
Airlink, direct from Johannesburg.
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SELFTOURS
are
IATA
tids Members
Designers of Madagascar holidays in association with
AIRLINK &
AIR MADAGASCAR |
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Airlink :
With Airlink's five weekly flights (Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri
and Sun) from Johannesburg to Antananarivo, Madagascar is
now readily accessible. With over 27 connections
throughout Southern Africa, spread your wings with
Airlink.
www.flyairlink.com |
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Air Madagascar :
As soon as you board our aircraft, you will experience the
legendary reception and hospitality of the Malagasy
people. Thanks to our large network with more than 40
destinations, Air Madagascar offers you perfect
connections to all the main big cities and holiday spots
in Madagascar. Weekly flights from Johannesburg on
Thursdays & Saturdays
www.airmadagascar.com
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Nosy
Be Hotel: ***
Situated mid west of Nosy Be, see Madagascar
map, this lovely family Madagascar hotel has 13
ventilated and 20 air-conditioned rooms, 7 VIP
bungalows and 2 suites in spacious gardens. Large
swimming pool and restaurant on the beachfront.
The hotel is great for families and groups. Sea
view rooms are ventilated and garden view rooms
are air-conditioned. Boutique.
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Nosy
Be Archipelago, Tsarabanjina and Iranja:
Tropical climate, palm-fringed beaches and coral
reefs abound. Nosy Be is the largest in the extensive
archipelago, which lies off the northwest coast.
Iranja and Tsarabanjina are remote jewels for
the discerning traveller.
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A highly recommended day tour from Nosy
Be is the a boat trip to Nosy Kombo & the
uninhabited Nosy Tanikely. Nosy Kombo offers
the Black lemur and village life and some shopping
for mementos. Just before lunch you are
transferred to Nosy Tanikely for a sumptuous lunch
of crab etc closely watch by a large population of
friendly little Lemurs with excellent snorkelling
off the beach - equipment can be rented on the
beach.
Yacht
charter packages are available.
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MADAGASCAR BEACH & NATURE:
NOSY BE & PERINET
Example of a brief
itinerary
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This
itinerary is one of the most popular as it covers beach
and marine activity as well as the nature and forests with
their unusual and diversified wildlife found only in this
part of the world, and not to be forgotten some shopping
activities. Malagasy culture will be experienced throughout
your tour. |
DAY
1
Fly Johannesburg to Antananarivo (Tana), the lively Malagasy
capital in the Central Highlands. Clear immigration and make
your way to the domestic terminal for your flight to Nosy
Be Island. You will be met on arrival by a representative
of the hotel. Transfer to beach hotel. Subject to which day
of the week you choose to travel. |
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DAY
2
Day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel. |
DAY
3
After breakfast, you’ll be taken by boat to the nearby
islands of Nosy Komba and the idyllic Nosy Tanikely. The former
is a lemur sanctuary where you can view Lemurs at a close
distance and the latter is a marine reserve famous for its
magnificent coral reefs and beach. Sumptuous picnic lunches
are served on Tanikely after snorkeling. From here you will
be taken by boat to Nosy Komba to see the black lemurs. Souvenir
hunters may find some delightful Malagasy tablecloths and
woodcarvings to purchase here. Overnight at the hotel. |
DAY
4
Day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel. |
DAY
5
Transfer to the airport and fly back to Antananarivo. Transfer
to Perinet reserve (4 hours by a winding tarred road). If
going in spring or summer (late August / March), pack a torch
as you can go on a short night stroll to see nocturnal animal
life. Forests always attract rain so take a Dry Mac to where
& something warm for the evenings. Explore the rainforest
of Perinet. Overnight stay at the Vakona Lodge (up market)
or Hotel Feon’ny Ala (midrange) (B&B) |
DAY
6
Whole day to explore Perinet’s rainforest. To see the
most wildlife, (especially Indris and birds) be in the rainforest
as close to daybreak as possible as the animals are most active
in the early morning. The trails are not difficult to manage
and all the forest guides speak English. You should also encounter
the likes of Grey Bamboo Lemur, Red-fronted Brown Lemur; birds
like the lovely Blue Coua; Sunbird-Asity and Nuthatch Vanga,
as well as impressive reptiles like Malagasy Tree Boa and
Parson’s Chameleon. Orchids and other epiphytes festoon
the trees. Overnight at the Vakona Lodge (up market) or Hotel
Feon’ny Ala (midrange) (B&B) |
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DAY
7
Transfer to Antananarivo and check in to the Hotel Royal Palissandre
for the last night (B&B) |
Hotel
Royal Palissandre: ****
Perched on the slopes of a hill, a 5-minute drive from the
business center of Antananarivo and offering stunning views
over the town. The Royal Palissandre has 46 rooms and each
room reflects traditional Malagasy architecture with pink-colored
bricks, Matasoa stone, rosewood and marble. This hotel has
a business center. All bedrooms are equipped with TV, air-conditioning,
IDD telephones, room safe, mini bar, bathroom with shower
and hairdryer. Excellent restaurant (Le Table des Hautes Terres)
and bar (L’Amphore). English speaking reception, fax,
internet, car rental. Family rooms are available on request. |
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DAY
8
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Johannesburg. |
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Packages are
subject to availability and exchange rates at the time of
booking. |
Prices
include:
International and internal Malagasy flights
(ex Johannesburg), all accommodation and meals as indicated,
all excursions with car and driver, guides in the reserves,
entry permits, all airport-hotel transfers and visa
fee.
If you are not travelling via South Africa but
rather directly from your home country to Madagascar we
will design and book your ground arrangements being your
transfers, internal flights and accommodation. |
Not
included:
Meals not indicated drinks, tips and personal expenses,
travel insurance and airport taxes. |
| An indepth comprehensive proposal
will be offered on your enquiry. |
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This
is but an example of a popular itinerary,
however please feel free
to outline your interests and needs on our
enquiry form.
We will be happy to design a personalised package catering
just for your very needs. |
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Tsara
Guesthouse: ** Fianarantsoa:
A small
Madagascar hotel integrated in an old traditional
building of the highlands. The main house
is a restored church. Comfortable rooms
and great cuisine. |
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Ifaty
Beach, Saint Augustin Bay & Tulear:
The southwest
desert corner: There's plenty to see in
this remote, low-key area: coral reefs,
spiny bush and rare birds are the main attractions.
Seaside hotels at Ifaty Beach and St Augustin
Bay offer scuba diving and snorkelling,
as well as trips to Nosy Ve marine reserve
islet, off remote Anakao. The Nosy Ve excursions
are wonderful for beach and snorkelling
enthusiasts. At Ifaty especially, the unprotected
'spiny desert' never fails to enthral Wild
ringtail lemurs live near Saint Augustin
Bay, where a visit to the Sarodrano Cave
is a must. Inland from Tulear, the ornate
burial tombs of Andranovory are of the country's
most impressive. |
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Sainte
Marie Island:
Narrow
60-km long island off eastern Madagascar.
See Madagascar map. Today, Sainte Marie
is one of the most popular beach holiday
hangouts Madagascar has to offer. Along
its coral-fringed coast are several Madagascar
hotel accommodations to choose from. Secluded
coves, relaxed islanders and balmy Indian
Ocean island ambience contribute to Sainte
Marie's magic. Whale watching in
July to September is a highlight.
This is when humpback whales migrate to
the area annually. For the naturalist, Sainte
Marie is also of interest because of its
diverse orchid and reptile life. Good snorkelling. |
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Ankarafantsika
Forest Station:
Two hours south of
Mahajanga is one of Madagascar's
top wildlife hotspots. Easy trails into
tropical dry deciduous forest over gentle
terrain. Accessible all year round. Abundant
lemurs live in these forests and it is
the best place in western Madagascar for
bird watching.
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| Madagascar
holiday tips: |
| Visas:
Travel in Madagascar. Visas can be obtained on arrival at Antananarivo
Airport. Madagascar Visa cost as at April 2008 are, Euros 58 or US $ 87
per person.
Malagasy consulates in Johannesburg/South Africa or Durban issue one
month visas for any passport holder. A valid passport is required.
Currency:
As soon as you have cleared through customs, change some
money into Ariary / Malagasy Francs (FMG) at the airport bank. Since the 01
August 2003 the government changed the local currency from Malagasy Franc (FMG)
to the Ariary. Please be warned that the new Ariary is worth five times the FMG
amount. Both currencies are shown on the notes. Ariary / FMG can be
converted back into hard currency prior to leaving Madagascar. Do not take
South African Rand to Madagascar. Credit cards
MasterCard is rarely
accepted, recommend you take a Visa Card as most hotels happily accept
Visa. Visit our
currency
conversion table to get an idea of your currency against the
Ariary - Press your Back Key to return here
Tipping:
be careful not to be persuaded or bullied into over tipping. The
average porter at the airport only earns approximately 20000 Ariaries
a week (about US $12) They have been known to ask for 10000 Ariaries
just to push your trolley.
When to go:
This depends on your interest. Nature enthusiasts should go from
late August to January. Certain parts of western Madagascar are
not accessible in summer (December - March) after rains. Avoid the
northeast from March to July. Cyclones occur in January to mid February.
July to September is excellent for whale watching on the Island of
St Marie.
Time zone:
GMT + 3 hours
Power supply:
220 V; European round two-prong plugs.
Health requirements:
No immunizations are necessary. Malaria prophylactics are essential.
Drink only bottled water or take water purification tablets. Travel
insurance is essential (medical cover).
Customs allowance:
500 cigarettes and 1 litre of alcohol.
What to pack:
Comfortable, casual and
light clothing. Well-worn walking shoes or sneakers are essential.
A
Back-Pack is ideal to carry all your bits and a bottle of water,
sunglasses, suntan lotion
etc. Pack warm clothing for winter nights. Take insect
repellent and protective wear for the tropical sun and rain.
If visiting Perinet Lemur forest a Dry Mac is recommended as the
rainy season is all year round and it can be chilly in the evenings.
If planning and evening hike in the forests to spot nocturnal
animals a head mounted torch is an excellent accessory. A
small back pack is always ideal for carrying your small personal
items. A small basic medical kit is a wise idea, especially if
you are intending to travel through Forests and unpopulated areas
far from major towns.
Luggage allowance:
20 kg & 1 item of hand luggage.
Language:
Malagasy is the first language; French the business language and
English is spoken by people in the tourism industry. An English
to French phrase book could be your best companion if you are not
familiar with speaking French.
Getting there:
Air Madagascar currently operates two
flights per week between Antananarivo/ Madagascar and Johannesburg/South
Africa. (Thursdays and Saturdays). Flight duration is three hours. South
African Airlink operates flights on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and
Sunday.
Getting around:
The most comfortable method is to fly to domestic
destinations. Air Madagascar serves 60 domestic airports. There are
overland routes run by a few operators but due to the road conditions these
can take a few days and could involve an over night stop. Airport transfers are
arranged by Selftours to and from your hotel.
Traditions, customs and taboos: There are many taboos and
traditions in Madagascar and if your guide asks you not to point your finger
or photograph a tombs etc, please respect there wishes. If in doubt
always ask permission before taking photographs.
Standards:
Travellers to Madagascar must understand that Madagascar is fairly
new to the international tourist market, hence the Madagascar hotel
accommodation standard, though good, may not be up to the same international
accommodation standards that you would expect in South Africa or
Europe. We at Selftours believe that this only adds to the mystic
of the island of Madagascar. |
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Luxury coach tours designed
to your requirements |
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