Welcome to Salohy... our very own Malagasy intern!

Salohy started interning with us just a few weeks ago and she has already proved herself to be an extremely valuable part of the team! She is currently hard at work helping our Product Managers update all our adventure-packed itineraries and packages... and giving us all some interesting insights into Madagascar!

Where in Madagascar are you from?
I come from Ambositra (a small town located 3 hours to the south of Tana). I am a proud Betsileo girl. I've never lived there but we used to spend holidays there once or twice a year. I speak a little bit of the Betsileo dialect but with the Tana accent. What a shame!

Why did you choose to come to South Africa to do your internship?
I completed High School in Madagascar and chose to further my studies in France. I am currently completing my 3rd year in Management of Leisure and Travel. As part of my course I have to do a 5 month internship in a company of my choice. South Africa sounded like the perfect country to do my internship! Actually I am convinced that South Africa's touristic development is the ideal one to bring to and adapt in Madagascar...

There are a ton of tour operators in South Africa, but specifically I was looking for a small tour operator which really understood what Africa was about. A company with strong values of conservation, who really knows what ecotourism is all about. I was looking for this Tour Operator for months (since September) and I was about to call my teacher and ask him to find me a rescue-internship in Spain, when I bumped into a Jenman advert for an internship! I went through the website and was totally convinced that Jenman African Safaris was the perfect opportunity to grab! I emailed Antoinette and here I am! In this awesome city, in a fantastic dynamic team!!

Give us your Top 3 must-do's when travelling to Madagascar.
Firstly the Tsingy of Bemaraha in the West of Madagascar! It's an amazing experience and sensation to be above these rocky peaks! There are a lot of circuits but travellers have to try the circuit where you have to cross a rope bridge suspended 70 meters above rocks into the void... or try walking on the top of the Tsingy and have a view on the whole massif with all the peaks, and finally visit the underground caves and rub bats!

Another place to go is Andringitra National Park, which is located in the South East. It houses the Boby Peak, the highest peak in Madagascar. Nature, tradition and mystery surrounding Andringitra make this park a mystical place to explore. There are great stops and camping sites during the ascension to the peak (natural pools, hidden trails, etc.). There are about 4000 steps (I've tried to count!), the air is pure and the nature so quiet, and the morning haze on the mountain gives terrific scenery! It's a bit like a pilgrimage.

Finally, an incredible diving place in the coral reef; the National Park of Sahamalaza in the north just under Masoala! The water is hot and the sea is shallow so it's seems that you can touch the coral and fishes!

Do you have a secret tip for us that you won't find in any guide book?
It is sometimes a pity to be a traveller in a country were the local population doesn't speak English or French very well. French is one of our official languages but when it comes to dealing with a local vendor to buy a souvenir for example, they only speak Malagasy. Travellers have to keep in mind that local vendors know that foreign travellers have a high purchasing power. Be sure you are aware of the exchange rates.

So when buying traditional artefacts it's safer to bring a guide... he will be able to bargain with the vendor if the price is too high. Travellers will have better opportunities to find bargains in smaller local markets rather than the bigger tourists markets.

It is important to greet the vendor in Malagasy... they are always sensitive to this and will bring the price down immediately by a few Ariary! Don't be afraid to haggle over the prices and to suggest a third of the price announced! Saying that you have already been in Madagascar and that the price was cheaper then shows that you're not a silly traveller!

For those who are afraid of mosquito bites, you'll have to take gallons of anti-mosquito unless they want to bankrupt yourself by buying it in the local supermarkets. Instead buy coconut oil; it smells good and is economical. It's a local mosquito repellant and you can find it everywhere!

To read more about Salohy, what makes her proud to be Malagasy, her insights into Madagascar's political unrest and her views on responsible tourism, please click here to visit our blog.
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