Madagascar
Our journey begins in Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, or Tana for short. We won’t spend much time in the city. Why? Simply put, Tana is unattractive and dirty. We’ll only visit the Rova Palace, which overlooks the city, and the local market. Then, we’ll rush towards a real adventure.
Our route will take us past Antsirabe to Ambositro. Along the way, we’ll make stops to learn about and marvel at the local activities. We’ll see pottery made from recycled materials, including souvenirs for tourists like cars, bicycles, pousse-pousse, and more. We’ll also visit a workshop where items from zebu horns are crafted, from utensils to jewelry. If we’re lucky, on our way to Ambositre, we might join an exciting famadihana celebration—a traditional ceremony involving the bones of the deceased, singing, dancing, music, alcohol, and a crowd of people… crazy, authentic Africa. Throughout the drive, we’ll enjoy stunning views of rice fields.
Next, we’ll reach Ambositra, the wood industry capital, which operates quite differently from what we’re used to. It’s all very local, with tools used for woodworking crafted with great imagination. Knowledge of wood carving is passed down through generations, and local artisans here are highly esteemed. Their creations travel throughout the country. We’ll visit one of these workshops ourselves.
Ambositra will serve as our base for trekking to remote villages in the Zafaminiry region. We’ll enter a truly local environment, embarking on a three-day trek with camping since there are no other accommodations. The villages we visit still lack electricity, and the locals are authentic, going to bed with the chickens 🙂 Without electricity, there’s not much to do. Here too, locals are masters of woodwork, and their artistry is evident in the construction of their impressive wooden houses, which feature incredible details. Observing the way of life in these remote areas is especially fascinating.
Our journey continues to the Tasaranoro Valley, where we’ll embark on a hike with breathtaking views under the majestic Pic Boby mountain. We’ll admire nature, encounter lemurs… and, of course, there will be stops along the way. We’ll visit the studio of Madagascar’s most renowned photographer, Pierrot Men, where we’ll buy artistic postcards, learn how traditional paper is made from mulberry trees (a technique brought to Madagascar by Arabs), and visit the Anja Reserve, managed by the local community and home to some of the most beautiful lemurs we’ll see, the Ring-tailed Lemurs.
Next, we’ll travel to Ranohira for a two-day trek in Isalo National Park, where we’ll camp and experience unforgettable views, wild canyons, oases, and swimming in natural pools… simply spectacular! After 12 days on the road, it’s time to head to the coast. We’ll stop in Ilakaka, a town that experienced a sapphire rush about 10 years ago. People from all over Madagascar moved here hoping to strike it rich and escape poverty. Sadly, it’s a harsh reality, especially when seeing the working conditions.
Finally, we reach the coast. We’ll go snorkeling among corals and a multitude of fish… like being in an aquarium. If possible, we’ll also try to spot humpback whales, although their appearances are quite unpredictable. We’ll do our best, but we can’t guarantee they’ll visit us 🙂
Next, we’ll head to paradise, visiting the famous and majestic Madagascar baobabs. Now we’re in paradise—a stunning lagoon with every shade of blue, where we’ll sail on traditional pirogues, go fishing, ride ATVs, and relax to the maximum—absolutely amazing and unforgettable!
We’ll then fly back to Antananarivo and directly to Andasibe National Park, where we’ll meet various species of lemurs, including the largest one, the Indri Indri. Afterward, we’ll return to Tana to visit Akamasoa, a city within a city founded by the one and only Pedro Opeka. We’ll learn about Akamasoa’s operations, feel its pulse, and if we’re lucky, meet Mr. Opeka himself. We’ll then do some final souvenir shopping before bidding farewell to Madagascar and flying back home.
Highlights along the way
Antananarivo: Madagascar’s capital, Rova Palace, and the local market.
Famadihana: A celebration where the bones of the deceased are exhumed.
Villages in Zafaminiry: Immersing in local life far from everything.
Tasaranoro Valley: Fantastic day hikes, stunning views, vertical granite walls, lemurs, and more.
Isalo National Park: Madagascar’s most beautiful national park, with a two-day trek, swimming in pools, canyons, and more.
Stars: The starlight here is spectacular, with more stars visible than almost anywhere else.
Anja Reserve: A beautiful example of local community involvement in nature conservation. The main residents are Ring-tailed Lemurs.
Local Artists: Visiting various workshops of local craftsmen and artists.
Ifaty: Snorkeling in an aquarium-like setting, coral reefs, and possibly humpback whales.
Salary: A paradise on earth with a 7 km coastline, a lagoon with every shade of blue, traditional pirogue sailing, fishing, ATV rides, and ultimate relaxation.
Akamasoa: A city founded by Pedro Opeka offering refuge to the poorest.
Lemurs: Unforgettable, charming animals found only in Madagascar
Accomodation
In Madagascar, we’ve been particularly selective about accommodations, which are rated between 2* and 3* since better options are not available in many locations we visit. The trip is very active, so we want you to rest well at night and be prepared for the new adventures that follow. We’ve chosen hotels that are beautiful, authentic, friendly, and provide good service. We use double rooms with private showers and toilets. However, we are still in Madagascar. Sometimes there will be electricity, and sometimes there won’t be, which means sometimes there will be hot water and sometimes there won’t. During the trek, accommodations are basic—camping in tents with communal toilets and showers in natural pools.
Hotels
Why travel with us?
Because Madagascar is unique—many animal and plant species can only be seen here, and this will be the adventure of a lifetime. The program is active; we visit remote villages, delve deep into national parks, and follow trails where we rarely encounter other travelers, while also visiting most of the must-see attractions on the island. Throughout the trip, we travel in 4×4 Jeeps. This allows us to cover distances more quickly and comfortably and experience more. The roads here are really poor, so we’ve been very careful in selecting drivers who are truly top-notch.
About the country
Madagascar is an island located in the Indian Ocean, southeast of the African continent. It is the fourth-largest island in the world (after Greenland, New Guinea, and Borneo), covering 587,041 square kilometers. It is separated from the African continent by the Mozambique Channel, which is 400 kilometers wide at its narrowest point. Originally, it wasn’t so; it separated from the African continent about 250 million years ago during the Tertiary period.
The official languages are French and Malagasy, and the capital city is Antananarivo. Madagascar has approximately 20 million inhabitants. The currency is the ariary.
Madagascar is a geographical and historical paradox. Although it is close to the African continent, its people identify with the Indonesian archipelago. The island’s animal and plant life is entirely distinct and unique compared to the African continent. For example, out of 7,400 plant species, 5,800 are endemic.
Geographically, Madagascar is divided into three areas: the high plateau, the coastal eastern part, and the western part. The high plateau, where the tropical climate is moderated by altitude, contains the highest mountains. From here, the plateau slopes down towards the east with a steep, very rugged escarpment leading to a narrow coastal plain where marine currents have deposited a long series of coastal dunes and lagoons. The western side also descends from the central highlands with numerous valleys. The coastal strip averages 20 to 50 kilometers wide and is occasionally swampy.
In the past, the island was covered with lush tropical forests, now only small patches of rainforest remain. The forests were cleared and burned to expand rice fields, use wood for fuel and construction, and export ebony and sandalwood. Now, 7/8 of the island has been converted into grassy steppes and savannas covered with low shrubs. Erosion is also a significant issue.
The island’s unique location also conditions its fascinating zoological composition. Over the years, as the island’s original animal species were isolated from continental Africa, a larger number of unique species developed. Lemurs and chameleons are especially prominent, along with many birds, spiders, and over 800 species of butterflies. The only larger animal dangerous to humans is the crocodile, which inhabits areas along rivers. Snakes, some of which are larger, are harmless.
Visas and Vaccinations
A visa is obtained upon arrival at the airport in Antananarivo.
Group and Tour Leader
The group size is up to 18 travelers. If there are 12 or fewer travelers, an additional organization fee applies: €100 for 9-10 travelers, €70 for 11-12 travelers. The group will be led by Matic. The entire trip requires 18 days. Before the trip, there is a mandatory meeting with the entire group to avoid issues and lack of information.
When to travel?
The climate is tropical in the north and subtropical further south. The hot rainy season lasts from November to April. The dry and cooler season is from May to October. The coldest month is July, with temperatures dropping to around 10°C at night, warming up to about 26°C during the day. The warmest month is December, with temperatures ranging from 16°C to 29°C.
Departures organized by Huda Tura are in April/May, September, and October/November. The exact departure date can be checked under the PRICE tab and on the right side of the page by clicking on DEPARTURES. The number of places is limited!!
Cena in termini:
For current prices and departure please visit the Slovenian site (CLICK HERE)
Price includes:
- Package (Organization and Execution of the Trip, Slovenian Tour Leader, International Flight and Extras): €1200
- On-the-Road Expenses – Group Fund: €1090 (includes accommodations with breakfast, transportation, transfers, local guides, entrance fees, and tips)
- 1 Domestic Flight
- Accommodation: Stays in nice hotels (2*-3*) with breakfast
- Organization: Includes the guidance and support of a Slovenian tour leader, preparation, and organization on our part, as well as possible assistance from a local agency. In certain cases, it may also cover some accommodation or transportation.
Price does not include:
- Meals, drinks, and gifts not included in the program
- Health insurance and Cancellation Insurance (for risk of trip cancellation)
- Single room (not guaranteed in all hotels)
- Transfer to the airport (from €0 to €85)
- Visa (€35)
- Snorkeling excursion (€20)
- Whale watching excursion (€50), if possible
You will need approximately €300 for personal expenses (lunches, dinners, entertainment, gifts).
Payment method:
Upon registration, a deposit of €100 is required, along with a non-refundable registration fee of €10 per registration. The deposit secures your place in the group. Departure is confirmed with the minimum number of participants. If fewer participants register, the trip may be canceled or the cost for organization and leadership may be proportionally increased—€100 for 8-9 participants and €70 for 10-11 participants. If you cancel your participation, cancellation terms apply as outlined in the general terms.
60 days before the trip or before the issuance of the invoice, the deposited amount can be used for any of our trips within one year. More details on general conditions can be found here. If the trip is canceled due to insufficient registrations, the deposit will be refunded.
Before departure, costs for the flight, accompaniment, and trip preparation, insurance with assistance, and transfer to the airport must be settled. All other expenses are paid locally on-site.
Destinations are subject to change, and prices may fluctuate. There may be minor variations due to changes in international and domestic flight prices. We guarantee only the price for organization and on-the-road expenses.
PHOTO MOMENTS
The route:
Difficulty:
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VTISI:
- Kako se ti je zdelo potovanje nasploh? Kaj ti je ostalo v najlepšem spominu in ali bi kaj spremenil/-a v programu?
Potovanje je bilo char-obno. Po dolgem času (covid) sva končno lahko obiskala čudovite malo bolj oddaljene še neodkrite dele sveta. Potovanje je pravzaprav združevalo dve različni mini potovanji, kar sploh ni slabo. Težko je napisati, kateri del je bil boljši, saj se ju ne da primerjati. Safari je bil bolj adrenalinski, saj sva tovrstno opazovanje in iskanje živali doživela prvič. In počutila sva se kot otroka, ko sva videla kako ali cele množice veličastnih živali. No, le nosoroga bova morala poiskati v kakem drugem parku J. Zgleda, da je bolj sramežljive narave. Zanzibar je pa bil balzam za vse, ki imamo radi turkizno morje in dobro morsko hrano. - Kako bi ocenil safari? Če napiševa, da bi šla takoj še enkrat, sva povedala vse J. Vse je bilo super. Avtomobili so bili udobni (najbolje je bilo, ko smo dvignili streho J), šofer odličen – z veliko informacijami, smehom, trudom, da bi našli čim bližje kako žival, ustavljanjem za slikanje. Pa tudi slovenščina mu je šla J. Ko smo rekli »gremo – gremo« je vedel, da smo vsi v avtu vse videli, vse poslikali in smo se lahko odpeljali naprej J. Kampi so bili dobri, kampi brez ograj so zanimivi…pa so nekateri srečali hijeno, midva bradavičarko, na obronkih so bile gazele, zebre, med šotori pa tudi velike ptice…. Edino, kar bi naslednjič spremenila je, da bi s seboj vzela toplejši spalki. Na Ngorongoro je bilo zanimivo videti zjutraj šoferje v bundah in kapah :-). Pa je bilo spet veliko smeha na »hot Africo«. In hrana. So naju strašili, da bova lačna, ker hrana ni najboljša. Pa so skoraj vse žitne ploščice prišle nazaj z nama v Slovenijo. Dobre kuharje smo imeli. Ustvarjali so pač take dobrote, kot se jih v takih pogojih sploh da. Všeč nama je bil tudi obisk treh plemen, sploh lov z bušmani. Za obisk masajev pa bi morda obiskali kako malo manj komercialno vas – tista na poti v Ngorongoro (ob jezeru) je bila s ceste videti zelo zanimiva.
- Kako je bilo na Zanzibarju? Izleti, namestitve? Na Zanzibarju pa so bili malo drugačni dnevi. Malo bolj na »pole pole«. Všeč nama je bilo da smo bili v dveh krajih. Stone town moraš videti (stari del mesta, večerno tržnico s hrano, rojstno hišo Freddia Mercurya, … ) in nato iti na sever na lepe plaže in zanimive vasice. Hotel in nato bungalov sta bila v redu. Brez pripomb. Večerja v resortu na severu je bila odlična. Morska plošča z jastogi, škampi, hobotnico,…. za 34 EUR za dva..
- Je bilo vodenje v redu, kako se je odrezal Tomo? Tomo – takoj bi spet šla še z njim. Dobre volje, pozitiven, z veliko dobrimi in smešnimi zgodbami, dobro organizacijo, ….vzel si je čas za vsakega v skupini, ki je bila kar velika (22). Hvala ti, Tomo :-). Morava pa še napisati, da je bila cela skupina krasna. Smo bili starostno različni (mladi in malo manj mladi), a smo se dobro razumeli. Bi z njimi še potovala.
- Koliko denarja si približno dodatno porabil/-a v Tanzaniji? Za celo potovanje ( agencija, testiranja, viza, osebna poraba) sva na osebo porabila cca 2.750 EUR. Res je, da nisva kupovala slik in lesenih izdelkov, a sva šla na vse izlete, si privoščila kako pivo, koktejle, odlične ribe, kupila začimbe, majhne spominke.
Pozdravljeni
Potovanje po Tanzanije mi je ostal v lepem spominu, safari je bil top, jest bi ga se podaljsal za 1 teden 🤗. Tudi ekipa na safariju prejme oceno 10/10 (dobra hrana, pa se full prjazni so bili 👍).
Na Zanzibarju bi mogoce bil samo 1 dan v Stone Townu, da bi bolje raziskali otok. Kendwa beach top, hotel super, izleti vredu…
Tomo super vodic, tako kot se sbodobi, ocena 10/10
Z denarjam nisem sparal, porabil sem 900$, veliko piva in darila ☺
Se veselim naslednjega potovanja z vami…
Lep pozdrav Grega
1. Kako se ti je zdelo potovanje nasploh?Odlično
2. Kaj ti je ostalo v najlepšem spominu in ali bi kaj spremenil/-a v programu? Vse si bom zapolnila in prav nič nebi spremenila
3. Kako bi ocenil safari? Čista 10.
4. Kako je bilo na Zanzibarju? Izleti, namestitve? Vse odlično.
5. Je bilo vodenje v redu, kako se je odrezal Marko? Najboljši vodič do sedaj. Še otroke je zabaval….
6. Koliko denarja si približno dodatno porabil/-a? Na osebo 800USD
Zdravo,
Potovanje po Tanzaniji in Zanzibaru je žal res že za nami. Žal zato, ker je bila to čudovita izkušnja. Vsak dogodek je bil zgodba zase, ki se mi je vtisnila v spomin. Zato bi težko kakšnega posebej izpostavila. Uspeli smo videti skoraj vse živali, ki sem si jih želela videti v naravnem okolju, srečali pa smo se tudi z nekaterimi plemeni, ki živijo na tem območju. Prebivalci so prijazni in nevsiljivi zato se je bilo lepo pogovarjati tudi z njimi. Kar se tiče vodiča Gregorja se je maksimalno potrudil in s svojo sproščenostjo in poznavanjem Tanzanije in Zanzibarja prispeval, da je bil ta dopust ena res lepa izkušnja.
Lep pozdrav,
Marta