New tour - Madagascar Sea Kayaking trip!

If you love the ocean and have always dreamt of doing an island hopping trip but have been worried about getting too bored on the boat - we might have found just the perfect holiday for you.

Picture the following: white sandy beaches, turquoise warm water, deep blue skies and a bunch of friends as you make paddle stroke after paddle stroke, slowly moving towards the next island. If you get too lazy to paddle, jump onto your accompanying dhow and relax on the deck with a cold drink until you reach the next idyllic island.



The trip costs from EUR 740 / USD 1,070 per person sharing. This price includes transfers to and from Nosy Be airport, simple accommodation in twin or double rooms during the tour, all sea transport and support in a fully kitted motorized Dhow, use of sea kayaks & paddles, experienced kayak and island guide, and all meals during the kayaking tour. The price excludes all flights and their taxes.

Join us on one of the six set departures from May through to November 2010. Have a word with your boss, book a week off from work, and come and get your arms working, whilst your eyes feast on the beauty that is Nosy Be!

For further details on this exciting new package, take a look at our website or email one of our friendly consultants on info@jenmansafaris.com
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"Arahabaina tratry Taom-baovao sy Asaramanitra!" Happy New Year!

For those of you that missed out or thought that you could get away without making any new years resolutions this year - it's the Malagasy New Year this March! Time for new beginnings, new resolutions and exciting celebrations... Time to make those new years resolutions and stick to them...

Traditionally the Malagasy New Year, known as 'Alahamady' or 'Alahamadibe' features an important ceremony which only descendants of the Royal family may attend. This year however, all Malagasy people are to take part in the ceremony and it will be called 'Taombaovao Ambanilanitra' (celebration of the New Year and a national festivity). The four-day celebration will be filled with dancing, games, traditional sports, folklore shows and typical Malagasy catering, and will take place from the 13th - 16th March 2010. It is a time for family and friends to strengthen their relationships and show their love and respect for one another.

On the first day, adults and children will share portions of chicken - vodiakho (rump) for the adults and fenakoho (leg) for the children. This ritual is meant to strengthen family ties as members of the family pay their respects to one another. Families also bring each other fresh flowers and fruits, as sweet smells symbolize good luck. This time of year is often referred to as 'Asaramanitra' - the time of sweet smells. So next time you are in Madagascar you can say "Manimanitra izy izany!" (What a nice smell!).

An important ceremony which will take place during the celebrations is Taombaovao Ambanilanitra - the zebu feast, known as the 'saotra' or gratitude. During this ritual the meat of a zebu is shared amongst families and friends as a sign of friendship or kinship, which is one of the core values of Malagasy society. This meat is called 'nofon-kena mitam-pihavanana' (the piece of meat which keeps family ties).
To read more about the Malagasy New Year celebration, click here to read our blog.

Arahabaina tratry Taom-baovao sy Asaramanitra! from all of us at Jenman Safaris!
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VOGUE Magazine features the dhow as the "Love Boat"

The international magazine VOGUE has featured the dhow in its "People are talking about..." section. Most of the ladies out there love and worship VOGUE - so when they feature an article about the dhow and how it's the romantic option to a 'love boat', you will realize that not only does the magazine know what they are talking about... but it's also going to be the beginning of a trend, a new craze and a popular holiday activity for romantic lovers out there. Click here to view the article.

So why not set sail around exotic Madagascar on our dhow for the ultimate romantic (and eco-friendly) adventure. Visit the various islands around the Nosy Be archipelago and spend your days exploring the islands, relaxing on pristine beaches, snorkelling, dolphin & turtle watching, line fishing, and diving in the clear turquoise ocean from EUR 520 (flights excluded) / USD 770 (flights excluded) / ZAR 9270 (flights included from Johannesburg).

If you want to find out more about our romantic dhow then have a look at our website or email one of our friendly consultants on info@jenmansafaris.com
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7-night Sakatia Island holiday for less

Why not spend a week exploring the beautiful island of Sakatia? Relax and make the most of the sun and sea, and settle into the hospitable Sakatia Towers Guest House. For 7 nights you can lie back and enjoy a home away from home.

This special is only valid from 26 February to the 26th March & from 12 - 30th April 2010 and sells from the exceptional price of EUR 350 per adult sharing on a half board basis, or from EUR 445 on a full board basis (excluding all flights & airport taxes). Click here to see the website special or email us.
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David Grier - "I saw the lighthouse... I knew I would get there."

Last month you heard about extreme adventurer David Grier, and we promised to keep you updated... Today we have some great news to share with you!

David Grier has just completed his third Cipla Miles for Smiles challenge - a grueling three and a half month journey of which 11 weeks were spent running! In the process he also achieved his fourth world first ... running across Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world. Of the last phase of his incredible journey Grier said, "Suddenly as I came over a rise, I saw the tip of a light house. I could not hold back my emotions. I just sat down staring into the distance, tears welling into my eyes; I now knew I would get there." The journey might not be over just yet however... Grier was supposed to kite surf back to Africa, but after already achieving two world firsts on his trip, David is considering leaving the kitesurfing dream open for someone else to realize...

Congratulations David!!


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