Frequently asked questions about Madagascar

We love receiving all your questions and comments about Madagascar, and we have noticed that many people have similar queries about the island. So we decided to feature and answer FAQ's about the island... should you have any other questions please do not hesitate to contact one of our friendly consultants on info@jenmansafaris.com.

What is the weather like in Madagascar and when is the best time to travel?

Madagascar has only two seasons: a hot, rainy season from November to April and a cooler, dry season from May to October. However it gets a little more complicated than that as the different regions have very different climates...

The east coast is the wettest region of Madagascar as it receives the heaviest rainfall; it rains quite often throughout the year. If you are visiting the east coast, we recommend that you bring a rain coat with you! This region is notorious for its hot and humid climate, with the average maximum temperatures varying from 30'C in February to 25'C in July and August, while the average minimum temperatures vary between 22'C in January and 17'C in August.

The central / interior highlands are considerably cooler and drier than the east coast. Thunderstorms are common during the hot, rainy season (November to April) and the weather during the dry season is sunny and pleasant, although it can be chilly in the mornings and evenings. We recommend packing some warmer clothes along when travelling between May and October. The average maximum temperatures of the capital Antananarivo range from 27'C in January to 21'C in July and August, while the average minimum temperatures vary between 17'C in February to 10'C in July and August.

The west coast is drier than either the central highlands or the east coast, and rarely receives high volumes of rainfall, whilst the island of Nosy Be, which is located along the north-west coast, has a special microclimate due to the Tsaratanana massif. The island has a tropical climate and is blessed with bright and sunny weather throughout most of the year, with the water temperature rarely dropping below 25'C. Average maximum temperatures in Nosy Be range from 32'C in January to 29'C in July and August, while the average minimum temperatures vary between 23'C in February to 20'C in July and August. November sees the start of the rainy season in Nosy Be, where only the evenings experience light rain, gradually getting heavier as December and January arrive. Cyclone season begins from February, ending around March.

The southwest and the extreme south have a semi-desert climate, with the average maximum temperatures in Tulear ranging from 32'C in January to 30'C in July and August, while the average minimum temperatures vary between 24'C in February to 15'C / 16'C in July and August respectively. We recommend that you bring light cotton clothing and lots of sunscreen with you when travelling to the south!

The best time to visit Madagascar are the months between May and October as the temperature is generally mild with little rain. Try to avoid the months from January to March when the temperatures are much higher and there are heavy rains. Happy travelling! ______________________________________________________________________________________

Our 2011 Madagascar Rates are available!

We know that many of you are itching to begin planning your holidays for 2011, and so our Product, Marketing and Operations departments have been hard at work updating and improving our exciting 2011 Madagascar itineraries... and all this hard work has paid off! Some of them are available and ready for you right now! Contact us to find out more.
______________________________________________________________________________________

Find out more about... Tsarabanjina Lodge

Situated on one of the most beautiful and secluded islands around Madagascar, Tsarabanjina Lodge is the perfect destination for travellers who desire a haven of tranquillity and serenity. Surrounded by turquoise seas, white sandy beaches and coral reefs, filled with lush vegetation and the melody of hundreds of tropical birds, Tsarabanjina is a real life island paradise.

Dine at the Lodge's stunning mezzanine level restaurant, which serves buffet style breakfasts and lunches. In the evenings choose from the a la carte menu, which features a delicious array of fresh seafood and both local and international dishes. Sip on a glass of champagne or fine wine with your meal as you admire the fabulous sea view. The Lodge also boasts a causal beach bar, library, parlor games, massage, aqua gym classes, and a small boutique which offers guests traditional handmade Malagasy arts and crafts. With no television and no telephone (except at the front desk), you are guaranteed a restful and re-energizing island experience.



Tsarabanjina has plenty of activities on offer to keep you and your loved ones entertained, including snorkelling, kayaking, diving, windsurfing, sailing and water-skiing. If you would prefer to stay on dry land, you could try your hand at a game of volley ball or tennis, take a walk around the island and explore the local fauna and fauna, or go fishing in the lagoon. Relax in the Lodges well stocked library, visit the games room which has a wide variety of board games and table tennis or book a massage and delight in the beautiful surroundings. Alternatively you can take an excursion and discover the neighbouring islands in the Mitsio Archipelago.

With a total of 25 spacious thatched bungalows, Tsarabanjina is the perfect place for a private and intimate island holiday. Each Bungalow is furnished with the finest linens, comfortable beds, ceiling fans, en-suite bathroom and a furnished verandah. Enjoy the stunning see views from the comfort of your accommodation.

Join us for an 8-day Tsarabanjina Romantic Getaway from just EUR 1605 / USD 2440 per person sharing (excluding flights). For more information click here to view our website package or contact one of our knowledgeable consultants on info@jenmansafaris.com.
______________________________________________________________________________________

Top 3 Madagascar "must do's"

There are so many interesting and exciting things to do and places to explore in Madagascar. With such a wide variety of activities to suit all budgets, interests and ages we can imagine that it might be difficult for you to decide which activity to try first. 'Where do I start?' you might be asking yourself. Fishing, hiking, kayaking, quad biking, nature walks... the list is endless! Well we at Jenman Island Safaris can recommend 3 "must do" activities that you absolutely have to try when visiting Madagascar.

Go snorkelling and scuba diving in Nosy Be
With its beautiful beaches, clear waters and coral reefs teeming with marine life, Nosy Be offers great diving and snorkelling opportunities - an experience not to be missed! Join our Madagascar Nosy Be Beach Holiday and spend 5 days enjoying all the wonders that Nosy Be has to offer. Priced from just USD 440 / EUR 295 per person sharing (excluding flights). Or if you are feeling a little more adventurous, then our Madagascar Scuba Diving Package is for you. Explore the waters of Nosy Be from just USD 770 / EUR 520 per person sharing (excluding flights and diving).

See the lemurs at Andasibe National Park
Madagascar is any nature lovers dream come true and is home to a stunning array of exotic flora and fauna including lemurs. One of the best places to see these delightful creatures in their natural habitat is Andasibe National Park. Join us our 8-Day Lemur and Beach Package priced from EUR 660 / USD 1,005 per person sharing (excluding flights) and search for the elusive Indri Indri - the largest lemur on the island.

Travel by Dhow
One of the most unique and exciting ways to explore the various islands in the North of Madagascar is by Dhow. Enjoy the island-hopping lifestyle in this tropical paradise on our Madagascar Dhow Bungalow and Camping Trip! Camp out on peaceful islands, fish for game, snorkel with whale sharks, spot lemurs, and relax on stunning sandy white beaches from just USD 770 / EUR 520 per person sharing (excluding flights).

For more information on any of the above tours, please contact one of our knowledgeable consultants on info@jenmansafaris.com.
______________________________________________________________________________________

Fishing in Madagascar

Madagascar fishing has always been a popular activity (for fun and for business) dating back to the mid 1900's. Yet, strangely enough there is little proof or even documented facts on the World Wide Web supporting this. We were luckily given this photo dating back to 1954 depicting a man fishing with his impressive catches 'of the day' off the coast of Madagascar!

As many of you know, Madagascar is an extremely well known fishing destination, and avid fishermen travel from all over the world to sail the crystal clear turquoise waters and try their hand at catching some of Madagascars amazing fish... Some of the local game fish species that you could find on a Madagascar fishing holiday include; sailfish, giant trevally (GTs), dorado, king mackerel, barracuda, wahoo and dog tooth tuna, amongst others.

Fishing plays a huge role in the lives of the Malagasy people as it forms an important part of the mainstay of the Madagascar economy and contributes to about 40% of its overall export earnings. So you can only imagine the incredible fishing opportunities on a fishing holiday package with us.

To book a fishing holiday with us please click here to view our Turtle Bay Fishing package or contact us directly on info@jenmansafaris.com and we will help tailor-make your fishing holiday.
______________________________________________________________________________________

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
0861 JENMAN
Tel: +49 3635 454 330
Email: info@jenmansafaris.com
Skype username: jenmanafricansafaris
www.travel2madagascar.com
www.turtlebaybeach.com
www.jenmansafaris.com
www.victoriafalls.biz
www.capetownsafaris.com
www.hoerikwaggotrail.org

World Wide Reservations

USA and Canada
Toll Free: 1866 487 4323

Australia
Toll Free: 1800140 835

United Kingdom
Tel: 0871 284 5010 Fax: 0871 284 5011

New Zealand
Toll Free: 0800 528 100

To unsubscribe please click here...

______________________________________________________________________________________