Practical Information - Madagascar - page 141

CHOOSING A TRIP TO SUIT YOU
Over the years I've come to believe that everyone can enjoy Madagascar but not everyone
doesbecausetheydonottakesufficientcareinmatchingthetriptotheirpersonality.When
planning a holiday most people consider only their interests and how much they are pre-
pared to spend. I feel that a vital component has been missed out.
WHATSORTOFPERSONAREYOU? The Catch-22 of tourism in Madagascar is that
the type of person who can afford the trip is often the type least suited to cope with the
Malagasy way of life. In our culture assertiveness, a strong sense of right and wrong, and
organisational skills are the personality traits which lead to success in business, and thus
the income to finance exotic travel. But these A-type personalities often find Madagas-
car unbearably inefficient and frustrating. By having control over their itinerary through a
tailor-made tour, or by renting a vehicle and driver, such people are more likely to get the
most out of their trip. A group tour, where they must go with the flow, may be the least
successful option.
Conversely, the happiest travellers are often either those who choose to travel on a low
budget (providing they're not obsessed with being ripped off) or those who can adopt the
attitude of one elderly woman on a group tour who said 'I'm going to give up thinking; it
doesn't work in Madagascar.' It doesn't, and she had a great time!
These days there is a trip to suit everyone in this extraordinary country. It won't be a
cheap holiday, but it will be one you never forget, so choose wisely.
Below are the main options, in descending order of price and comfort.
The luxury package Four-star hotels are no longer unusual in Madagascar, and luxury
seekers will have no problem planning their tour around the new upmarket 'boutique'
hotels. These include Nosy Iranja and Tsarabanjina (Nosy Be), Anjajavy (north of Ma-
hajanga), Jardin du Roy (Isalo) and Domaine de Fontenay (Joffreville, near Antsiranana),
butthisisbynomeansthecompletelist.Thefly-inhotelsevenshieldyoufromtherealities
of Madagascar by whisking you off to their resort by private plane.
Expedition cruising On a ship you know that you will sleep in a comfortable bed each
night and eat familiar food. It is thus ideal for the adventurous at heart who are no longer
able to take the rigours of land travel. It is also sometimes the only way of getting to re-
mote offshore islands. In the UK try Noble Caledonia ( 020 7752 0000; www.noble-cale-
donia.co.uk ) , and in the US Zegrahm Expeditions ( 1 800 628 8747 or 206 285 4000;
www.zeco.com ) is recommended.