Robin Patterson travelled to Madagascar (October 2009)
Hi Nadia,
My wife and I would like to thank you and all the Jenman "Salama Tsara" staff for a really wonderful Dhow Trip. We shared the trip with 5 other wonderful people - 3 school teachers from South Africa and a couple from Tasmania. It really was a fantastic experience!!  Once again many thanks!! PS:  We are looking at doing your 22 day Namibian trip starting in Livingstone next September!! Regards
Robin

Anne Taylor Smith from South Africa travelled to Madagascar (September 2009)
The trip was amazing and lived up to all expectations and more! The crew were extremely attentive, food really fantastic and accommodation very comfortable.  I returned home feeling my soul had been nourished! Thanks for arranging this memorable getaway!
Regards,
Anne

Colin Barry from South Africa travelled to Madagascar (August 2009) 
Hi Nadia, the trip all in all was great thank you. Lost luggage was not too much of a problem and we got by. The crew was fantastic and the food was superb. General sailing, snorkeling, sightseeing was out of this world. My only negative is your brochure does not make it clear that drinks are not included in the price. (…) Other wise all in all a fantastic trip. Thanks,  Regards, Colin Barry  

Geoff Spiby from South Africa travelled to Madagascar (July 2009)
The trip was pretty much what I expected and we had lots of fun. We were a group of 11 (all good friends) but I wouldn’t like to do the trip with strangers.
The crew were great, the food was tasty/adequate and usually there was just about enough (..)

Please click here to view underwater images or land images that Geoff took on this trip to Madagascar…

Trinidad Gonzalez from Spain travelled to Madagascar (July/August 2009)
Dear Amina, many thanks by all your work and organization of our trip. All has been marvellous and the planning and execution, in general, has been perfect. I can tell you that I have enjoyed very much in Madagascar. Thanks a lot by your help. Regards, Trinidad

John Maytham from 567 Cape Talk  in South Africa travelled to Madagascar (June 2009)
“It was a fantastic trip. All the choices you made were perfect, and the arrangements all worked out with a minimum of fuss and bother. Thank you very much.”

Anria - travelled to Madagascar (May 2009)
"The holiday was absolutely amazing! We had a lot of fun and everything went very smoothly. The first part we organised ourselves was crazy, driving up and down in crowded taxi's but the sights were completely worth it and then the Dhow experience itself was wonderful. The service was very good, the food was great the accommodation was good, and the sights were beautiful. I have very little to critisise really. Thank you for the invaluable part you played in organising everything."

Carolyn from South Africa - travelled to Madagascar (May 2009)
"Dear Amina, The trip was incredible – one of the best holidays I have ever had. I have been to Comores, Seychelles and Mauritius previously and in my opinion Madagascar was far more impressive.i think a lot of people have been put off by the political unrest but that has been very exaggerated by press and is not an issue at all. Thank you very much for your assistance."

Warren Watkins - travelled to Madagascar (April 2009)
“The trip was a fantastic success.  There were a few very small hiccups but these in no way detracted from a magnificent holiday, and only added to the trip, with unexpected services being added.  Thank you for arranging a dream come true. The highlights were the meals on board the yacht which were 10 star, the snorkelling, island hopping and the fishing. What a great honeymoon. As a last note, the skipper (Albert) and the cook and the deck hands were fantastic.”

Tomek Rudomino - travelled to Madagascar (April 2009)
“Thank you for your assistance and help to make our tour in Madagascar. It was absolutely safe, without any problems on the way. The trip was a fantastic & great experience. Only in Ankarana we decided to change the camping for bungalows (+ payment as well). Food and accommodation in the north was excellent. Nosy Be was a little empty - in the Hotel “les Boucaniers” we were alone, tour operators had stopped flights due to the situation in Antananarivo. For us it was better to have no people (apart from a few tourists from South Africa and France) because it was quiet and calm.  Even in the centre of Antananarivo it was safe. So, we will return to Nosy Be again soon as possible.”

Geoff Chandler - travelled to Madagascar (December 2008)
"Hi Rebecca. We had a lovely time and all arrangements were great. Thank you so much for all your work in this and we look forward to going again." 

Claire Lewis - travelled to Madagascar (December 2008) 
"Hi Nadia, Thanks for your email follow up and many best wishes of the season to you. We had a lovely time in Madagascar and really unwound. In response to feedback everything went like clockwork.  Our driver to/from Perinet was very nice and spoke good English, was prompt and looked after us well.  The guide hired in Andasibe was very good and knowledgeable and helped us to find lots of new birds as well as spot lemurs and insects, frogs, reptiles etc.  He was enthusiastic and pleasant to be with.  Vakona Lodge was good and although it rained a lot (to be expected) we enjoyed ourselves. Boraha Village was on the east coast and by far the nicest side of the island.  Beautiful water and cleaner than the west and far less developed although no beach."

Pop Minnaar - travelled to Madagascar (September 2008)
This was an experience of a lifetime. Everything was well organized. We had a delay of 2 hours at O R Tambo. From there on everything went smoothly. We are considering another trip to the eastern part of Madagascar.
At the moment we plan to go to Botswana next year and there after to Malawi. Last year we went on a 5 week safari through Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique. There are always places we want to explore again. We bought land in Mozambique and plan to move there permanently.
But, thank you again for this fantastic experience. We will definitely contact you again for another trip.

Jeff Siegel - travelled to Madagascar (August 2008)
"Thanks for all your help in arranging the trip.We had a fabulous time in Madagascar. We had no problems, transfers went smoothly, good, the driver and guides were great, and the accommodation was generally good. (The Hotel Pavillion and Hotel de la Plage were especially beautiful.)"

Ian Scott - travelled to Madagascar (August 2008)
"Everything was fantastic thank-you! We absolutely loved Madagascar and will definitely be going back sometime. We were pleasantly surprised to spend a day in the Tanikely Marine reserve; we didn’t know that was on the itinerary and it was a real highlight!" 

Madeleine Calitz - travelled to Madagascar (July 2008) 
"The dhow was great, our guide (Angelot) looked after us really well.   It was so relaxing not having to think what to do next, everything went as planned.  The only problem I had was that my luggage did not arrive, so I had a 2 week holiday in borrowed swimming gear, t-shirts and sarongs.
Even so, a holiday to remember.  We did some great snorkeling around Nose Tanikely, saw dolphins, turtles and  lemurs.  
Thanks again for all your help in making this a memorable and enjoyable trip."
Madeleine Calitz travelled on our Dhow Camping Trip.
 

Ellen Petersen and Marilyn Giles - travelled to Madagascar (July 2008)
"We returned home safe and sound after a wonderful adventure to Madagascar. What a trip. It was a perfect blend of seeing a totally different culture with seeing beautiful scenery plus animals (the lemur) that are endemic to Madagascar. We felt very cared for there."

Cathy (Madagascar divers pisces group) - travelled to Madagascar (June 2008)
"I just wanted to write and thank you for all your efforts to bring this trip together. I had a wonderful time. Just what I needed and am sure will need again! Really appreciated. Best wishes"

Eva Cuervas Boada - travelled to Madagascar (April 2008)
"Simply fantastic. I have enjoyed both, the country and your organization, beautiful beaches at north with incredible seafloor. You don't know how many photos of turtles, fishes, corals... I have done...And, obviously, one thousand lemurs too... 
On the other hand, the trip company, that as always, is a very important part to get that the people enjoy the trip. Patty is a lovely person, she has got to join everybody that was on the trip. And for this reason we have learned Jenman Safaris organization, we have rested and we have laughed a lot, all in accurate measure.  
Thank you very much for the opportunity of joining your fam trip and to know a little bit the big Madagascar."

Marie McCrae - travelled to Madagascar (April 2008)
"Thanks for your lovely mail and all the good things you say. There are so many thank you’s to be said, to you and Jenman Safaris for the opportunity to do the FAM trip and to have met all those wonderful people, especially you. I had an absolutely marvelous time and am all fired up with enthusiasm."

Andre & Sumari travelled to Madagascar (March 2008)
We had a lovely time,  the dhow trip was great food was excellent , Mohamed’s bungalows on the beach and at Russian bay are really great. ,  weather hot & humid.  Rain didn’t bother us to much, actually it was rather welcome just to cool things down and get out of the sun for a day.
The alternative was most welcome if you consider we would have been wet if we stayed in the tents.   Sakatia was also great , we had Johns lunch on the beach which was great (..) but unfortunately he didn’t tell us about the sand fleas.
We had an absolutely GREAT holiday. Great destination. Thanks for all your assistance

Pierre van Zyl - travelled to Madagascar (January 2008)
"The trip was excellent – just to short – will go back anytime – well organized and one hell of an experience. Planning to go and cycle there in the near future – hopefully around the entire continent!!!!!!"

Monika Dieter - travelled to Madagascar (December 2007)
"There was enough time for souvenir shopping on our last day in Tana - I needed to stop myself from buying too much; not surprising for a woman!
After returning back home, I have to say: Madagascar blew my mind; it's so different. It's not Europe, it's not Africa, it's not Asia; it's somehow a mix of everything but still one of the least-developed countries. I loved it but must say to every traveller who is planning to go: travel with an open mind and an open heart! People are poor but happy and they try to make us travellers feel as welcome and comfortable as possible, with everything they own. Whatever expectations you may have, whatever itinerary or programme you may have read, leave everything behind at home and experience Madagascar the way it is - pure and unspoilt!"

Mia Jones - travelled to Madagascar (December 2007)
"Ile aux Nattes and St Marie were the closest vision of paradise I've ever seen. The beaches were long and quiet, and the local people were so friendly. La Libertalia (St Marie) was particularly relaxing, with hammocks between palm trees, and a long jetty with sun loungers at the end where you could snorkel and climb onto a rock. The beach chalets were quite simple but had everything we needed, and they were just two metres to the turquoise sea! I particularly enjoyed hiring a bike for the day and cycling through the village."

Susan Pankhurst - travelled to Madagascar (November 2007)
"After travelling through dry landscape for a while, starting to feel the strain of travelling, we were ready for the beach. A few days later we arrived at a paradise-like beach in Ifaty, just north of Tulear. Our accommodation in Le Paradisier was better than ever expected! A blue pool, big restaurant, with a lounge area on the terrace and our bungalows, right at the beach. What a treat after long travelling!!"

Brink Family - travelled to Madagascar (November 2007)
"Mada, I thought gave one the essence of basic and simple travelling, whilst feeling almost exclusive and fortunate at the same time. One felt that comparing certain aspects of one highlight or place of interest in Mada to that of another in a more travelled or tourist-developed area or country, made one feel similar to that of a pioneer. That to me in itself was a highlight and a sense of being unrivalled anywhere else. Infrastructure was raw and rugged. The beauty was stark and underdeveloped in the most positive sense. I enjoyed the type of travelling that was as much active as interactive. The Malagashe folk are in general, honest, friendly and welcoming people, and should I be mistaken, as hosts, they certainly do not bestow the feeling of insecurity and scepticism toward their guests."

German Tour Operator - travelled to Madagascar (November 2007)
“1000 Views of Madagascar” “Our clients have returned from their trip! They loved the tour!! Everything was fabulous! Everything was perfect: the guide, the organisation, the accommodation, the food, the nature etc. etc.! That made my day and I am happy that my clients had such a wonderful trip! Thank you!!”

Our Clients - travelled to Madagagascar (November 2007)
"1000 Views of Madagascar" "Our clients have returned from their trip! They loved the Tour!! Everything was fabulous! Everything was perfect: the guide, the organization, the accomodations, the food, the nature etc. etc"

Berenice & Tom Wright - travelled to Madagascar (October 2007)
"There may not be any treasures left on St. Marie, but just being in Madagascar is a treasure itself. The thing that stood out most for me was the fact that it was still so “untouched”. After visiting many destinations around the world I found it totally exhilarating to be in a country where you are not hounded by the locals to come and take a look in their shops or eat in their restaurants. You can walk the streets without being tugged on or gawked at. The people are friendly and helpful but in a very “quiet” way. I found Antananarivo to be totally refreshing, not in terms of clean air but the hustle and bustle, noises, smells and energy of a third world city, with no traffic lights!! It was a break from our stark, sterile western cities, but also makes you appreciate the “organisation” we have back home. The highlight for me was Ile St. Marie, an absolute gem off the north-east coast of Madagascar. Untouched, pristine, everything I imagined a tropical island to be. I can’t get over how blue the water was, fringed by soft white sandy beaches and lush green vegetation. AMAZING!!! The  accommodation on the beach was outstanding and I’m already thinking of when I can go back there, next time to stay longer and explore St. Marie on a scooter."

Ivonne Kruger - travelled to Cape Town (October 2007)
"Our holidays were lovely and everything went like planned! We had a great group and a wonderful guide and we all got a long very well! The tents, mattresses and the sleeping bags were alright. We have seen and experienced a lot, but we were especially impressed by the animals. Cape  Town was lovely as well, and the Cape Poaradise Lodge gorgeous! Finally, we have spent two wonderful days there! All in all it was a great holiday not to be forgotten soon."

Margare du Toit - travelled to Madagascar (September 2007)
"Just to say thank you for all your information and arrangements re my  Madagascar trip - Isalo is wonderful, really great scenery! I had a lovely time; really enjoyed it all!"

Susie - travelled to Madagascar (August 2007)
"We had a lovely holiday and I caught my first Sailfish! 40kg! Thank you for everything!!On the Yacht: The skipper knew about 5% English. The Chef 10%. It was quite difficult communicating but we did with lots of hand signals and they understood "fishing" very well. Our chef was great and we caught lots of fish for them to prepare for us. We left them with about 2 months supply of dried fish! They love us! The deck hand was also great. They are very friendly and extremely helpful. The skipper took us to beautiful snorkelling spots and to stunning islands. He knows his fishing spots and fish very very well. Like I said, we had a wonderful holiday and we all came back relaxed (island style) and happy. Thank you very much for all your organising! We would love to go back in 3/4 years time. Next year we'll do Malawi so I'll be in touch!"
 
 

Neil Uys - travelled to Madagascar (July 2007)
"Thanks for the arrangements of a fantastic holiday. The accommodation and diving were 100%. Best diving experience I ever had."

Barbara Burgess - travelled to Africa & Madagascar (June 2007)
"Finally made it home after three months in Africa and Madagascar. Really hard to settle back in to a routine here. Had a fantastic time, so many experiences of which Madagascar was one of the highlights. Had a thoroughly good time there - the itinerary was great and well balanced. The local staffs were very helpful and friendly and the driver/guide was excellent. Would recommend the trip to anyone. I was very pleased. Thank you for your help organising the trip for me and all the emails etc we had to exchange - it was worth it. Best wishes!" 
 

Mabel Wilkins - travelled to Madagascar (June 2007)
"We did the tour called the 1000 views of Madagascar - we just loved the contrasts - from the dry Bush to the dense & thick rain forests to the beautiful seaside...Madagascar has got so much to offer. I will definitely be going back soon, probably to see the whales at Ile St Marie. Thank you to Jenman Island Safaris for making my holiday such a memorable one."

Sally Whittle-Long - travelled to Madagascar (April 2007)
"I am more than happy to give you feedback on our trip, as we had the most incredible time! When I first started planning this trip, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, where we should go, etc. The assistance I got from Rebecca at Jenman Safaris was incredible. She answered every single question promptly, giving me all the information I needed. She was wonderful, organising trips that we wanted to do, she really made sure that I was getting the package I asked for. The holiday itself was magical, despite being caught in the cyclone! We luxuriated in the cliqued warm turquoise water, white sandy beaches and palm trees. The water was so warm, it was like a bath! We were so excited by the Malagasy people, and so impressed by how hard they are trying to learn English and assist tourists. We are definitely going to return to Madagascar! If you need any more detail, or photos, let me know, I will be happy to provide you with both! Many thanks!" 
 

Carol, Susan & Emily - travelled to madagascar (April 2007)
"We found the operator listened to the sort of holiday we wanted in Madagascar - and Jenman Safaris delivered what we wanted. We only had 10 days so the slice of Madagascar we saw on the east side - Tana, Andasibe (lemurs!), Hotel Pangalanes (water is a very good way to travel in Madagascar - up the lakes and canals behind the east coast), then Isle Aux Nattes just off Isle Sainte Marie at Hotel Maningory was heaven! Beach side cabins and superb service, sun and swimming. We were able to negotiate changes to the itinerary they prepared following our own research. The price was mid-range which we wanted, and all the transfers were taken care of - a great boon on Madagascar, given we had little time and our French is so lacking! Thanks - will recommend them to anyone."

Catherine Nicolaides - travelled to Madagascar (February 2007)
"The service from Jenman Safaris was first rate; from the original enquiry to the final booking, and then having to deal with later changes. Rebecca was absolutely fantastic. We were a large group with many questions and quite a few changes, yet she did not once falter in her professional response and went out of her way to accommodate us. In so far as Madagascar & Nosy Be is concerned: we spent a week on the island of Nosy Be and had many an adventure. From rowing in pirogues through quite a hectic storm, to driving madly round the island in an open top, snorkelling on Tanikely, New Year’s Eve with a Hindu family (extended of course), a stunning couple of days on Nosy Iranja. It is still a little piece of heaven on earth and I fell completely in love with the environment, the culture and the people. At the very last minute I decided to stay for an extra week whereupon I was able to enjoy a very local experience. Despite the language barrier I was treated to such wonderful hospitality from everyone I encountered; the whole experience humbled me beyond belief. The evening spent in Tana was also an adventure - more so that I was there alone - and I intend to return to the mainland on my next holiday, which will be quite soon. What else can I say? You need to be adventurous; you need to have an open mind. You can not visit expecting it to be like other Indian Ocean island e.g. Mauritius. You need to get out and appreciate the wonder and beauty of the people and the land; so, if you are one of those people who prefer resort-type holidays then this is probably not for you. Conversational French or Italian would be great but is not absolutely necessary. I made many friends and have very limited French and no Italian."

Kevin & Nadia - travelled to Madagascar (February 2007)
"Nadia and I had a wonderful time in Madagascar - everything went smoothly! Thanks for everything. My trip with Nadia was, overall, the best time I’ve had in many years and your organization played a major part in making it happen."

Meg and William - travelled to Madagascar (November 2007)
"It's been manic since we got back so sincerest apologies for not contacting you sooner.
William and I had the most fantastic holiday EVER!!! Honestly for both of us it was the most incredible holiday of our lives. Sainte Marie exceeded our expectations completely and it was some expecting when we met somebody at the airport who told us that "God made Sainte Marie first and that he took all of his time making that island." Libertalia was fantastic, a Madagascan Premier (from the ruling party) was staying there at the time so everybody was in a bit of a flap for the VIP but were so friendly and breakfasts were good although the rest of the food wasn't fantastic but that didn't really bother us since we were out everyday. I got woken by the sea lapping at the step of our beachfront cottage every morning and we hired a motorbike and went to Plage de Ampanihy and Piscine Naturelle, which were absolute highlights!! We did a lovely walk around the island and Pirogued around it too with William getting a lesson in pirogueing from the locals.
And then on our last morning which Okkie said you were due to arrive we went out at 5am with Okkie to go fishing and although the sea's were very rough at first the fishing was fantastic and I think we caught enough fish for Okkie for the rest of his summer. I even caught one. Thank you so much for all your help and advise, you were an integral part of our holiday. We have to return to Mad though because we couldn't make the artisan market in tana and William's dream to catch a Sailfish and just generally we're island people thus William is telling everybody we're retiring there SOON... : ) I hope you had a fantastic time and have a lovely festive season."