Scuba diving in Madagascar: an unforgettable underwater experience

Forget Mauritius and Mozambique... because Madagascar has some of the most beautiful scuba diving spots in the world!

With calm crystal clear waters and bright coral reefs teeming with tropical fish and marine life, Madagascar is the perfect destination for holiday makers seeking an underwater adventure... Perfect for beginners and experienced divers alike.

Explore the mysterious underwater world around Sakatia Island on our 8-day Scuba Diving Package and spot giant sponge crabs, starfish, huge sea cucumbers, anemones, tiny fish, turtles and maybe even a whale shark or two. And, for the land lovers out there, Sakatia has plenty of activities for you to enjoy too - discover the island on forest walks, picnic on one of the many secluded beaches or go quad biking around the island.

Priced from just EUR 510 / USD 715 per person sharing in a standard bungalow plus EUR 350 / USD 490 for weight & tank hire. Included in the price is 7 nights accommodation on a half board basis, return airport transfers in Nosy Be, 10 dives with weights & tank hire. Full diving equipment can also be provided and your accommodation upgraded to a luxury bungalow at an additional cost. For more information view our website package or email us on info@jenmansafaris.com.
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Marine Life Do's and Don'ts

Our local marketing and sales representative, Debby Oscroft, is a scuba diving fanatic and has travelled to some of the best scuba diving spots in the world! So, we couldn't resist asking her to share with us some underwater do's and don'ts. Next time you are scuba diving, snorkeling, or just enjoying the ocean please keep these facts in mind!

Exploring the wonderfully colorful underwater realm of the ocean is a fantastic way to spend a holiday. However, there are some things that you need to remember...

Marine animals don't react to humans the same way as animals on land. They are also extremely fragile in comparison.

Here are a few points to remember:

Turtles: Although they look very sturdy and friendly, these very unusual animals are very shy and fragile. They have an extremely slow metabolism which allows them to survive in their environment however, when people try to tag along with them, thinking they are playing with the animal, they actually do more harm. Turtles are very slow and their reaction to people hanging on them therefore might go unnoticed. Hanging onto turtles causes extreme panic and often results in death due to heart failure some hours later... They also eat jelly fish and sadly, plastic bags floating in the water are often ingested in error resulting in death. So please always remove any plastic wrapping that could harm our ocean friends and leave them alone when you see them.

Moray Eels: These beautifully colored animals have extremely sharp teeth, but are also almost blind and therefore rely heavily on their sense of smell to detect food. Never wave or waggle fingers near them to entice them out of their holes (and NEVER try to feed them)... They are deceptively quick and can detect movement which will trigger their hunting reaction and you could lose a finger! On a whole, they can be handled (although carefully and only with experience) and they have the softest skin imaginable... By the way, when they open and close their mouths, they are forcing water through their gills to breathe.

Whale Sharks: The largest fish in the world - bearing in mind that whales are definitely NOT fish. These giants can grow to 18 m in length, although the average size we see is about 10 m or so. They are totally safe and have no teeth as they feed on plankton. They can be safely ridden on and are often happy to cruise around with divers and snorkelers. However, don't get too close to their powerful tails...
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Madagascar's "Not To Miss" List

Looking for something unique and different? Madagascar is the place to be! Despite its stunningly addictive beaches, Madagascar has some lovely activities that you might want to experience too... Read on for some exciting activities that you absolutely have to try on your Madagascar vacation!

Go swimming with turtles in Nosy Tanikely
Teeming with underwater flora and fauna, the marine reserve of Nosy Tanikely is an underwater paradise just waiting to be discovered! Join our Madagascar Island Hopping Packageand swim with turtles, sword fish, clown fish an much more as you explore this underwater paradise... Maybe you will even find nemo! Priced from just EUR 905 / USD 1 265 per person.

Watch the sunset at Baobab Alley
Visit the famous Baobab Alley at sunset and watch the sky explode into shades of red, pink and orange on our 5-day Morondava Baobab Package. This is definitely an experience not to be missed! You will also visit the Kirindy Reserve, where you will have the chance to see 7 species of lemurs, including the tiny Pygmy Mouse lemur, believed to be the world's smallest primate. Priced from just EUR 435 / USD 610 per person sharing.

Search for buried treasure on the 'Pirate Island'
If you are looking for mystery and adventure, be sure to explore the pirate cemetery on Sainte Marie Island. Overgrown with creepers and filled with tombs marked with skulls and crossbones the cemetery is sure to give you goose bumps! Uncover the ancient legends and superstitions of the island on our 7-day Sainte Marie Beach Package, from just EUR 410 / USD 570 per person sharing.

For more information on any of the above tours, please contact one of our knowledgeable consultants on info@jenmansafaris.com.
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2 Nights FREE with a FREE Room Upgrade on a Special 7-night Nosy Be Beach Package

Enjoy 2 nights free with a free room upgrade at Vanila Hotel during this 8-day beach package! Spend a week at the Vanila hotel with breakfasts and dinners included, and enjoy 2 of your nights for free, a free upgrade to Ocean view rooms, a welcome cocktail on arrival AND an excursion to Sakatia Island, all for a price from EUR 475 / USD 665 per adult sharing and EUR 215 / USD 305 per child sharing in parent's room (excludes flights and airport taxes). Rates are valid from 26 March - 7 May 2011 only. For more information view the website special or email us on info@jenmansafaris.com.

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Special Easter Package at Sakatia Towers

Take advantage of these special rates from our favourite guest house in the Nosy Be archipelago. From as little as EUR 450 / USD 630 per adult and EUR 325 / USD 455 per child, you can spend a week soaking up the sun and enjoying the tropical surroundings. Rates are valid from 20 March - 10 May 2011, and include 7 nights at Sakatia Towers with breakfasts & dinners included plus airport transfers. Flights and taxes excluded. Click here to see the website special or email us on info@jenmansafaris.com.

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St Marie Beach Package rates increase

Due to hotel updates, we have unfortunately had to amend the rate for the St Marie Beach Package. This package is now sold on a half board basis (breakfasts and dinners included) and is priced from EUR 410 / USD 570 per person.
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Head Office and Central Reservations

PO Box 36146, Glosderry, 7702, Cape Town, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)21 683 7826 Fax: +27 (0) 866 346 697
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Email: info@jenmansafaris.com
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