Lucie Marie explores life in Madagascar

Our vibrant Senior Sales Consultant, Lucie Marie, just returned from a trip of a lifetime to the amazing shores of Madagascar. Lucie tells shares with with us her Madagascar adventure...

1) What was your first thought when Jenman Safaris offered you the opportunity to go to Madagascar?
What a wonderful birthday present! I was told 10 days before my birthday!

2) Which interesting places did you visit in Madagascar?
The Island of Nosy Be, Ankarana National Park, the Red Tsingy, Diego Suarez and Three Bays

3) We have heard that there are strong traditions within the Malagasy culture have you experienced any of these? Can you tell us more about it?
The Malagasy people are extremely friendly, patient and non-violent. One thing I learned very quickly is that it is considered rude to wave to an older person when you drive past.

4) What would be the number one place (of the places you have visited) you'd recommend for a first time traveller to Madagascar? Snorkelling, snorkelling, snorkelling!! You have to go snorkelling. Even if you have never done this before. It is truly magical! To just lie in the warm waters, being gently moved by the waves and to see all the fish swimming by as if this is the most natural thing in the world to have humans staring at them. And you have to go onto a yacht. Now that's life! So, to answer your question I would suggest that they go to Nosy Be beautiful beaches and fantastic snorkelling!

5) If you had an opportunity to revisit the Island again, what would be the first thing you'd do? Get my hands on some of the divine fruit they have there!

6) What souvenirs did you get from the vibrant Island of Madagascar? Ylang-Ylang oil, the most beautiful seashells and a hand-made photo frame from local palm trees.

7) What have you taken from this trip? That this is a true authentic island not commercialized yet and true to its roots and culture. A destination I would recommend to anyone with a sense of adventure.

8) Could you share with us something funny that happened to you on the Island? Not so much funny than more delightful. One of the ladies on tour with us had her birthday while in Madagascar. So we asked the hotel where we were having dinner at if they can make us a birthday cake. It was beautiful, complete with a sea theme and the most divine chocolate icing hmmm I can still taste it. So after dinner, they dimmed the lights, and came out the kitchen singing the Happy Birthday song in Malagasy and the cake even had a few candles on it for her to blow out. This nearly had the birthday girl in tears.

9) What's your take on Malagasy cuisine? If you love seafood this is the place to go. If you want to experience a country in all its facets, feel hear see TASTE Madagascar is the place to go. They really know how to make the best fish gazpacho. And they do cater extremely well for any shell fish allergies.

Thanks Lucie! Sounds like you had a great time. If anyone would like to find out more about Madagascar please feel free to contact Lucie on info@jenmansafaris.com

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The Return of the Sainte Marie beauties: Whale Festival time!

Spend your holiday discovering the gorgeous, breath-taking islands of Madagascar while witnessing the annual Whale Festival, also known as Zanaharibe.. Between June and September the famous Island of Sainte Marie has the privilege of witnessing hundreds of Humpback whales migrating from the Antarctic in search of a warmer climate to calve and nurse their precious young. The whales can be seen from anywhere on the coast, earning this region a reputation of the number one hot-spot for the greatest whale-watching opportunities in Madagascar. This awe-inspiring ritual is celebrated by locals, travellers, marine professionals and all animal lovers alike.

Humpback or Megaptera novaeangliae whales are found in certain seas around the world. Adult humpbacks can measure a staggering 16 metres long and as much as 36 000 kilograms! Unlike us, these mammals eat only in summer and their diet comprises of krill, shrimp, crustaceans and small fish. They migrate to tropical or sub-tropical waters for their breeding to take place, and share a lifespan of half a century.

Expect to be grandly entertained while witnessing breaching humpback whales show-casing their dance moves or maybe if you are lucky enough you will be able to see a mother bonding with her calf or a male humpback echoing a long tune.

Having put on quite a show, the whales will then return to the cold waters of the Antarctic, where they prepare for yet another spectacular year of breaching and breeding.

If you would like to plan a Madagascar holiday to see these magnificent creatures migrating then please contact us on info@jenmansafaris.com...

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The Island with a thousand faces

The island with a thousand faces has not yet revealed all its secrets. It turns out that in addition to the incredible diversity of its fauna and flora, its people, the Malagasy, are also from an amazing mix of cultures. Giving a new note of color and interest to one of our tours ... 1000 views of Madagascar. This 11-day adventure takes you around Madagascar, exploring it's national parks, the lemurs and crystal clear breaches. And not forgetting the friendly locals.

Often referred to as African or Indonesian, the Malagasy have a variety of descendants. Tracing as far back as the first Millennium of our era.

There are six provinces and the twenty-two regions that comprise of 18 tribes in Madagascar. The territories of these tribes correspond to ancient kingdoms and are not based on ethnic differences. These eighteen tribes are namely: Antankarana, Sakalava, Merina, Betsileo, Tsimihety, Sihanaka, Bezanozan, and Tanala. On the coast are the Betsimisaraka, Antambahoaka, Antefasy, Antesaka, the South Bara a name which comes from the Bantu word Kuba, which means to steal, Mahafaly and lastly the Antandroy Antanosy.

Each of these tribes speaks their own language and even the cheering is distinctive from one tribe to another! One can distinguish the tribes by their special clothing, unique hairstyles and a special touch in the architecture of each tribe's houses.

The Merina, natives of Antananarivo with a fairly pronounced Indonesian resemblance, are generally related to the history of Malagasy sovereignty and they have their distinctive dress; the malabary for men and lamba for women. Their cousins, the Betsileo a little further south are the main occupants of the province of Fianarantsoa in the central-east. They're known for their skill in wood working and business skills. These two tribes of the Highlands are famous for the centuries-old of 'Turning of the bones'.

The Sakalava tribe can be found from as far north t as Nosy Be to the southwest of Madagascar and are scattered around the longitude of all Madagascar. This is the largest of all the ethnic groups and extends to along the western coast of the country. Every ten years, one of the most important Malagasy ceremonies, the Fitampoha, takes place in this region. This ceremony sees the opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the ancestors and the living world. This ritual is often carried through a trance

Vezo is one of the major ethnic groups, descendants of Sakalava are native to the south, whose ancestors are fishermen of East Africa. Moreover, unlike most of the Malagasy, the Vezo interestingly do not practice circumcision. Among their specific traditions, fishing turtle obeys a sacred ritual and custom dictates that once the turtle is captured, it is carried to the altar for sacrifice. The meat is then shared among the male members of the group. This practice is considered a duty to the will of the ancestors.

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