Madagascar has always been a mysterious island. Its ever-changing features draw tourists and nature lovers who yearn for the unusual. It is the world’s 4th largest island (587 042km²) — 1 571km long and 571km at its widest point. A mountainous central ‘spine’ separates the permanently damp east from the drier west and sub-desert south.
With dramatically contrasting climatic zones each region has its own complement of plants and decidedly odd animals. Ninety per cent of Madagascar's forest birds are endemic, as are about half of the island's 260 recorded birds. Five families of bird are only found here enticing birdwatchers from far and wide. There are 19 000 listed plant species, including 1 000 varieties of orchids, and over 100 000 invertebrates, at least 3 000 of which are butterflies. Malagasy chameleons, descendants of antediluvian monsters, represent two thirds of the species world-wide.
Separated from the African mainland for 160 million years and from India for 90 million years, its wildlife has evolved independently. Of all its animals, lemurs have been studied the most intensively and have received much attention from the conservation community and tourists. Currently there are about 71 species (new ones are being identified frequently).
The island has its share of white sandy beaches and world class reefs. Once lost to the outside world, they were only visited by fishermen on their pole pirogues. Now they are major draw-cards for families, honeymooners and divers alike.
Man arrived approximately 2000 years ago by from Melanesia, Polynesia, Indonesia and Africa. Although the 19 million contemporary Malagasy are separated into 16 major tribes they are united by language and culture. The best known Malagasy ceremony is the ‘bone-turning’ or ‘famadihana’ ceremony, held from June to August. From June to September, humpback whales return from the Antarctic to give birth near Ile Sainte Marie.
Madagascar is a Third World country and is definitely not a destination for everyone. There are no 5 star hotels and in places the accommodation and facilities are quite basic. Mid-January to mid-March is the cyclone season, but adverse weather could occur outside of this period.
North-East and East
These terms and conditions will apply to your holiday and the arrangements which you make. Please read them carefully as you will be bound by them.
By making a booking, the client confirms that all of the people named in the booking made by him/her have read these conditions, and have agreed to be bound by them and all the other terms of the contract, and that he/she has the authority to accept these terms and conditions on their behalf.
1. Regardless of the place of execution, performance or domicile of the parties, this contract, together with all modifications and amendments, shall be governed by, construed under and in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
2. All packages and tours are sold subject to our standard terms and conditions. Reservations must be signed on a booking form. If the services of a courier are employed during this process, the costs shall be borne by the client.
3. A 20% deposit is payable on confirmation, unless otherwise stated on the booking form. The balance must be paid 6 weeks prior to your departure. No contract is made between the client and Unusual Destinations until the deposit or, where required, the full price has been paid, whether or not a booking confirmation has been issued by Unusual Destinations or one of its agents. Failure by the client to pay any sum by due date shall entitle Unusual Destinations to cancel the booking, and to charge a cancellation fee as set out below (see point 17 below).
4. Quotations are based on the exchange rates valid at the time that they are sent to the client. Unusual Destinations reserves the right to increase any prices where currency fluctuations occur, until such time as they have been paid in full. It is the client’s responsibility to check on possible price increases prior to full payment. Airfares are subject to prices quoted by airlines, and Unusual Destinations can therefore not accept responsibility for unexpected fare increases.
5. It is the clients’ responsibility to obtain travel documents including a valid passport and air tickets. It is also the clients’ responsibility to contact the airlines at least 72 hours prior to departure to reconfirm all flights. All clients who, at the time of departure, are under the age of 18 years, must be accompanied by a client aged 21 or over who will at all times during the tour or trip be responsible for their welfare, conduct and behaviour. Clients are expected at all times to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner with due regard to the health, safety, comfort, enjoyment and general well- being of all the other people who may be on the tour or trip, or other people who may be staying in the relevant hotels. If it appears that the client’s conduct or behaviour is such as to be a breach of this requirement, or is likely to endanger the client’s own health or safety, or that of others, or where their actions or conduct impedes the operation of the trip, then Unusual Destinations reserves the right to refuse the further participation of any such client. No refund will be considered in respect of any client whose participation in the trip is terminated for these reasons. Further, where the client is repatriated pursuant to this clause at Unusual Destinations’ expense, or where Unusual Destinations is put to any additional expense as a result of the client’s conduct, then Unusual Destinations shall have the right to recover such costs upon demand. Under no circumstances, at any time, shall Unusual Destinations have any liability for the denial of boarding or expulsion from an aeroplane by any airline contracted in terms of this contract, such denial being at the sole discretion of the airline concerned.
6. While Unusual Destinations will do its best not to cancel or make any material alteration to the itinerary after a booking confirmation has been issued, it shall nonetheless be entitled at any time prior to departure to cancel the contract between the parties, or to change and/or curtail the scheduled itinerary where this becomes reasonably necessary on operational, commercial or other grounds. Unusual Destinations will however inform the client of any such cancellation or change of itinerary as soon as possible. Where such a change of itinerary amounts to a material alteration, the client shall be entitled to cancel the booking within 3 days of being advised of the itinerary change without any cancellation fee being applicable.
7. Although Unusual Destinations attempts to make all itineraries as accurate as possible at the time of printing, they are to be considered an approximate indication of the schedule and scope of the tour rather than an inflexible chronicle of events. The itinerary may be subject to change due to circumstances beyond the control of Unusual Destinations, whether as a result of weather, government restrictions, transportation problems, road conditions, acts of God, terrorist threats, natural disasters, fires or other circumstances. Unusual Destinations however undertakes to do its best to maintain the itinerary, and will not unreasonably change it. However any such changes shall not constitute a material alteration of the contract, and Unusual Destinations shall in consequence have no liability to the client in respect thereof.
8. Unusual Destinations will not be responsible for any additional costs occasioned by changes in the itinerary or flight schedules, such as additional flights, hotel nights or meals not included in the scheduled itinerary. Payment for such additional services will be required at the time when the amended itinerary is provided to the client. Further, any expenses incurred owing to unexpected extensions to packages, trips or tours caused by flight delays, bad weather, strikes or any other reason beyond Unusual Destinations’ control will be paid by the client upon demand.
9. Where the client is making a booking with a tour, the rates quoted are based upon group participation, and no partial refunds will be given for unused trip arrangements or sightseeing tours for any reason whatsoever.
10. Unusual Destinations, in order to provide the tour as set out in the brochure, group/individual tour or individual package, quotation and/or booking, is obliged to make arrangements with local operators who may themselves engage the services of local suppliers. Unusual Destinations endeavours at all times to appoint reputable and competent local operators to comply with the requirements and standards expected by the client. However, although these local operators are appointed by Unusual Destinations, they are acting as an agent on behalf of the client directly, and a direct contract is therefore entered into between the client and the local operator or service provider, and the terms and conditions of the local operator, whether or not contained in this brochure, will apply to arrangements made by them. Unusual Destinations makes the travel arrangements on behalf of the client on the express condition that it is not liable for any inconvenience, irregularity or expense occasioned by the failure of the local operator to comply with the itinerary provided, whether in relation to travel arrangements, airline scheduling, airline changes, cancelled flights, missed flight connections or any other factor not directly under Unusual Destinations’ control. In the event however that Unusual Destinations is, in spite of the provisions of this clause, found to be liable to the client, then its liability will be limited to the sum paid by the client in respect of the travel arrangement(s) in question.
11. As Unusual Destinations acts only as an agent for local operators, it accepts no liability for any loss or damages which clients may suffer as a result of the failure by such local operators to fulfil their obligations whether in relation to travel flights, land arrangements, accommodation or otherwise. These local operators are independent suppliers who are not affiliated with Unusual Destinations in any way. Further, Unusual Destinations shall not be liable for any loss, damage, delay, accident or inconvenience caused to any person, their property or luggage under any circumstances.
12. Unusual Destinations will not be liable for bodily injury to, or death of any client, or damage to their property occasioned through the conduct or default of any company or local operator or individual engaged in providing these services or for any reason, including, but not limited to, acts of God, quarantine, strikes, industrial action, medical emergencies, civil disturbances, theft, detention, annoyance, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, closure of ports, changes in government regulations, terrorism, war, medical emergencies or failure of the conveyance to depart or arrive as scheduled.
13. Unusual Destinations does not provide medical services during the trip or tour. However, wherever possible, Unusual Destinations will offer general assistance to any client who suffers illness, personal injury or death, whether or not arising from an activity forming part of the trip or tour, and whether or not the result of fault by any party.
14. Clients should bring with an ample supply of any prescription medicines required, and a first aid kit.
15. Any cost or expense which is reasonably incurred by Unusual Destinations for or on behalf of the client in respect of any form of medical, dental or similar treatment, hotel, transportation, repatriation, or any other expenses of whatever nature, shall be repayable by the client to Unusual Destinations on demand, whether or not such sum is covered by the client’s travel insurance.
16. Travel insurance (medical and personal accident) is compulsory. However, clients are strongly recommended to take out insurance to cover the loss of their luggage, and the deposit or part of the tour fee through cancellation.
17. Any changes and/or cancellations will incur penalties; in many cases air tickets are totally non-refundable. All cancellations have to be in writing. Unless otherwise stipulated, the following fees shall be charged by Unusual Destinations if a client cancels a reservation:
More than 6 weeks prior to departure:
10% of price
4 – 6 weeks prior to departure:
50% of price
2 – 4 weeks prior to departure:
75% of price
Less than 2 weeks prior to departure:
100% of price
18. These terms and conditions, together with any other clauses set out on the application form, defines the responsibility of Unusual Destinations with respect to all of the trips/tours/arrangements made by them. Further, Unusual Destinations shall not be liable for the failure of performance or improper performance which is wholly attributable to any or all of the following:
a) The fault of the client;
b) The unforeseeable or unavoidable act of a third party unconnected with the provision of any services to be provided under this contract;
c) Unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond the control of Unusual Destinations, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care was exercised;
d) Any event which Unusual Destinations could not even with all due care have foreseen or avoided, including (but not limited to) an event or force major. Unusual Destinations further confirms that the carriage of passengers and their luggage by air is governed by various international conventions and the client shall be bound by the rules, regulations and conditions of contract laid down by any carrier upon which he / she may travel as a result of the reservations made, and Unusual Destinations shall be free from any liability in consequence thereof.
Ile Sainte Marie (Nosy Boraha), a 57 km-long island off Madagascar’s east coast, is an authentic tropical island with lush vegetation interspersed with many small villages.
Nosy Be means "big island" in Malagasy. Its tropical climate makes it a leading sea, sun & sand destination.
Situated 120 km north of Mahajanga is Anjajavy Hotel, a luxury beach and nature property. Built on a peninsula overlooking a large bay and surrounded by a 450 hectare reserve of dry deciduous woodland this is ideal for beach and nature lovers.
Link to our island and beach itineraries.
The East of Madagascar has an exceptional concentration of unique fauna and flora and is a must for serious nature lovers. Visit the Masoala Peninsula which is one of the world’s only remaining untouched destinations and home to Madagascar’s largest national park – Parc National Masoala.
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is Madagascar's most visited tropical rainforest, as it is easily accessible. It holds a large variety of rare rainforest animals, notably the baboon-sized Indri, largest of all the Lemurs.
Relax on Ile Sainte Marie with its isolated beaches.
Link to North-Est and East itineraries.
Home of the Sakalava people, a large ethnic group with interesting African beliefs and customs such as possession of spirits, the tromba and cult of royal relics, the north-West is a vast region with only remnants of the dry, deciduous forest which once covered the entire domain. Anjajavy is an luxury option if you re looking for secluded beaches and unique wildlife. In the north you will find the bizarre landscape of the Ankarana Reserve with 127km of underground caves. Ankarana is best combined with Montagne d'Ambre National Park (Amber Mountain). This montane rainforest area is great for hiking. End your stay at one of the beaches in the Nosy Be archipelago.
Link to North-West and North itineraries.
The scenic countryside of terraced rice fields around Antananarivo (Tana) and all the way to Finarantsoa attest to the Asian ancestry of the Merina and Betsileo people, Madagascar's political and intellectual elite. The overland route from Tana to Tulear, is Madagascar's most scenic and culturally interesting drive. By travelling the RN7 you'll experience some breathtaking scenery, pass through some typical Malagasy towns and villages, visit the tropical rain forests of Ranomafana National Park and the high plateau granitic outcrops and sandstone canyons of the Isalo National Park and finally visit the bizarre Spiny Desert near Ifaty.
Link to Central Highland and Antananarivo Business itineraries.
The South is noted for its vegetation of unique interest where tropical moist forest meets southern dry forest, and is the gateway to the renowned Mandrare River Camp. Mandrare River Camp is a true luxury camping experience with strong attention to local culture and eco-tourism.
Andohahela National Park shelters 13 species of lemur and spectacular spiny forest. Berenty is a small reserve with a large population of lemurs.
Set on a sheltered, forest fringed bay, Manafiafy Beach & Rainforest Lodge is offering barefoot luxury in a truly tranquil setting: azure blue seas, lush verdant forests, and distant mountains.
This area is home to the Antandroy "people of the thorns" on the coast, to the nomadic Vezo fishermen, and to the Mahafaly renowned for their funerary art. Visit Fort Dauphin the getway to the parks.
Link to South-East itineraries.
The western region of Madagascar offers spectacular vistas with majestic baobabs and "forest" of karst pinnacles of the World. visit Morondava with its Baboab Avenue. Kirindy Forest is the best place to find rare mamals (like the Fosa), birds and three species of Baobabs.
Venture into the Heritage Site of the Tsingy de Bemaraha, the best way to access this rare site is by private charter.
The extreme south-western area around Tulear has hardly has any rain at all. Birding is particularly rewarding at Zombitse National Park and Ifaty and Anakao regions.
Link to West and South-West itineraries.