Last minute availability - Madagascar Dhow Island Hopping

What? You thought there were no seats available on our famous Madagascar Dhow Island Hopping tour? Well, we have some great news for you... There is last minute availability for 6 people on our famous Madagascar Dhow Island Hopping departing on the 26th June.

For further details on this tour, please click here to view our website package, or contact one of our knowledgeable consultants on info@jenmansafaris.com.
______________________________________________________________________________________

Madagascar Fantastika

Being mad about all things Madagascar has to offer, we had to share this brilliant article we found in the Wildside Magazine about our favourite island destination... Entitled "Madagascar Fantastika" the article follows Catherine Burmester as she explores the island and takes a closer look at some of the amazing wildlife one can encounter there. You can read the full article by clicking here to visit our blog.

"In places the forest was a velvet carpet of magical green moss with ferns and lichens growing from branches and the indri lemurs would pierce the forest orchestra with their eerie wailing song. Their enchanting songs can be heard echoing for miles in the forest from early in the morning and was a magical sound to awaken to as our accommodation Hotel Feon ny Ala which aptly means voice of the forest was situated over looking the river adjacent to the reserve. The view was beautiful with steam rising off the river and floating into the forest as birds cavorted along the water's edge. Herman informed us that the Indri lemurs live up to about 60 years of age, are monogamous and the largest of all the lemurs and the only one with virtually no tail.

As we were scrambling up a steep slope trying to achieve a better view of the Indris, they descended down the trees and gazed at us with piercing blue eyes looking like a strange teddy bear panda. These gorgeous, black and white lemurs feed on complex carbohydrates and so need to spend much of the day resting in order to digest their food. Indri in Malagssy, means 'look up there' and was mistaken for the lemurs name by an English explorer being shown the lemurs by locals. The Malagassy name for the indri is babakota meaning "father of Koto". Indri lemurs are endangered as they are sensitive to habitat disturbances and not only does deforestation threaten the Indris' environment but they also have never survived in captivity as they simply stop eating.

The forest imbued in us a sense of wonderment and immense fascination for Madagascar as we had only glimpsed the surface of Madagascar's vast bio-diversity which has one of the highest percentages of endemic species in the world." Click here to read the entire article.

If you would like to find out more about visiting Madagascar then email one of our friendly consultants on info@jenmansafaris.com.
______________________________________________________________________________________

Find out more about... Amarina Hotel

Situated on Northwest Coast of Nosy Be is the idyllic Amarina Hotel. Surrounded by beautiful tropical gardens and set on the stunning Anporaha beach, this secluded 4 star hotel is ideal for those who want to escape from the crowds of Madagascar's busier cities and simply relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.

Dine at Amarina's 'Cannelle & Paprika' restaurant and choose from a delicious range of international and local delicacies. Enjoy mouthwatering dishes created from only the best local and seasonal fresh produce while you watch the sun set over the Madagascar Ocean. The restaurant also boasts an international wine list. Or why not visit the beachside Toaka Mamy Bar in the afternoon and escape from the heat of the sun while you sip on refreshing cocktails and much on a variety of snacks or have a light lunch.

Amarina boasts a range of on site leisure activities to suit all tastes and ages. Spend the day relaxing by the large sea-facing swimming pool (equipped with a separate children's pool), visit the intimate library and reading room, or raid the well stocked DVD library. If you enjoy more active pursuits take advantage of the gym and fitness room and sporting activities such as beach volleyball, table tennis, badminton, and beach tennis. Children will also love bouncing on the hotels trampolines and playing table football, board games and Wii video games. After such an active day indulge in a pamper session and get a traditional Malagasy massage. In addition the hotel offers an extensive range of services to make your stay more enjoyable including 24 hour reception, 24 hour room service, and laundry, internet, and currency exchange facilities.



The hotel is ideally situated for you to explore the various islands in the archipelago. Visit Nosy Fahiny (explore the islands beautiful snorkeling spots and seabed bursting with colorful marine life), Nosy Komba (where you can meet habituated lemurs and admire the stunning array of local flora and fauna and arts & crafts), Nosy Tanikely (a protected marine reserve famous for its wonderful snorkeling), or explore Nosy Sakatia (also known as the 'Orchid Island' and soak up the sun on its pristine deserted beaches). Alternatively experience fishing, diving, pirogue excursions (a traditional tree-trunk canoe), sailing, speed boat trips, quad biking, visit the local town market and the Lokobe nature reserve, or just relax on the sun, sip on cocktails and enjoy a meal at one of the many hotels on the island.

With 57 rooms (made up of 41 Superior rooms, 13 Junior suites, 2 duplex Senior suites, 1 Family room and 1 Superior room with wheelchair access), you are sure to be accommodated within your budget.

Each room and suite is housed in thatched bungalows set among beautiful tropical gardens and palm trees along the beach and is equipped with air conditioning, mini-bar safe, television and DVD player, internal telephone, Wi-Fi connection, coffee & tea facilities, and bathroom with shower, bath, hairdryer & a separate toilet. All rooms and suites also have a terrace and face west so that you can enjoy the beautiful sunsets!
______________________________________________________________________________________

2011 rates available

Our Madagascar Product Manager has been hard at work updating our 2011 rates and with some new and improved itineraries for 2011, we are sure it's going to continue being a popular holiday destination! Final rates will be released by the beginning of July, so keep an eye out for them in next month's newsletter...
______________________________________________________________________________________

New hotel developments

We recently received some exciting new in the office and we had to share it with you. We've known for ages that the tourism industry in Madagascar is increasing, and finally we are able to report about new & exciting developments. Two new hotels are under construction in Isalo National Park - the Isalo Rock Lodge and the Satrana Lodge. With more and more people visiting this Indian Ocean paradise, it would seem that additional accommodation facilities were desperately needed. We are sure these are the first of many new and exciting developments in Madagascar!

Here is a sneak preview of what to expect when these Lodges are up and running. When completed, the Isalo Rock Lodge will blend seamlessly into the Sandstones Mountains overlooking Isalo National Park. The 60 room retreat is designed to remain harmonious with its surroundings and will make use of indigenous materials, fabrics and colors.

Situated at the entrance to Isalo National Park, you will find the Satrana Lodge. Surrounded by a breath taking landscape of deep canyons and gently rolling savannah Satrana will be the ultimate romantic safari retreat. Each of the 40 bungalows are designed to blend the romantic charm of the safari experience of yester year with modern standards of comfort.
______________________________________________________________________________________

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...

______________________________________________________________________________________