A whale of a time in Madagascar!

It's almost whale season in Madagascar; a time when hundreds of humpback whales migrating from the Antarctica reach the warm sheltered waters in St. Marie. This is one of nature's most fascinating spectacles!

Between June and September people flock to the beautiful island of St. Marie to witness these gentle giants as they mate, calve and nurse their young. St. Marie offers some of the best whale-watching opportunities and whales can be spotted from almost anywhere on the coast; whether you want to relax on the beach or, if you are feeling more adventurous, get up close and personal with a whale-watching boat trip, you are sure to catch more than a glimpse of these majestic creatures.

To make sure you don't miss this unique whale-watching experience email us on info@jenmansafaris.com; we have a great St. Marie Beach Package that is perfect for all of you whale enthusiasts out there... and those who just want a little holiday relaxation - read on to find out more.

From just USD 610 / EUR 410 per person (excluding flights), enjoy a week of relaxation on our St. Marie Beach Package and spend your days unwinding on the beach, swimming, snorkelling and exploring the island. There are also plenty of other optional activities on offer ranging from; pirate cemetery tours to deep sea fishing and, of course, whale watching (an experience not to be missed!) to keep you entertained.

To read more about this package, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any questions please feel free to contact us.
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Why am I at work and not relaxing on a beach?

Last year with most of our year-end departures completely full we had some very sad clients wishing that they had planned earlier. And as this year is going way too fast we thought we would remind you of last year October last year when you, like most of us, wished that we had all planned a nice relaxing tropical holiday...


Why? Because October is that month when we all realise that it has been a LONG year and that we worked very hard, accomplished a lot and... well... we need a little time to recharge!

So, in the spirit if not having a repeat from last year's "why am I at work instead of relaxing on the beach" momentmoment, take a look at our departure dates for October & November 2011!

29th October: 8-day dhow island hopping adventure... Sail the islands aboard our very own dhow, relax and enjoy your time off!
From EUR 640 / USD 960 per person
4th November: 11 days exploring the national parks of Madagascar on our 1000 Views of Madagascar package... Search for hidden lemurs and more!
From EUR 1155 / USD 1 730 per person
Anytime in October/November: 5-day Nosy Be Beach package... Relax as much as you want surrounded by crystal clear waters.
From EUR 320 / USD 480 per person

To avoid an ‘October-moment’ this year, please email us on info@jenmansafaris.com to secure your spot. In the meantime, keep working hard - a relaxing holiday is on the horizon!
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Saying "I do" in Madagascar

The Malagasy people have some very unique traditions and customs... One of the more unique Malagasy traditions revolves around "engagement and marriage". When two people are in love and are ready to get married, they must first get engaged. That doesn't sound too different from other cultures, right? Except in Madagascar, there are some unique meanings behind the engagement and marriage traditions. So what is it like to get married in Madagascar?

The first and most important tradition is called the "vodiondry" (literally meaning 'lamb's rump').
Without this ceremony, the couple would not be considered married and if they were to appear in public it would bring disgrace to their friends, family and community. What is the vodiondry? Vodiondry is a gift given by the groom to the bride's family. It is offered as a consolation to the parents who are loosing their cherished daughter.

While some might think that the groom is 'buying' his bride this is not the case. Vodiondry is a sign of respect and a way for the groom to thank the bride's parent for raising such a beautiful and wonderful daughter. Often, the groom will offer a gift to the bride's brother as well, called "tampi-maso" (meaning 'eyewear'). This is traditionally meant as a decoy to distract the brother so that he forgets his sorrow at losing his sister.

If you would like to read more about Malagasy wedding traditions, please click here to read our blog article.
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A NEW hotel in Nosy Be!

A new Malagasy hotel has opened on the offshore island of Nosy Be. "Les Hauts Manguiers", which means "the great mango trees", is a charming hotel located on the island's west coast only 10 minutes away from the capital Hell-Ville. Les Hauts Manguiers gains its name from the lush tropical gardens surrounding it which are filled with mango trees, fragrant coffee and ylang-ylang.

The hotel is made up of 17 bungalows and villas, sleeping a maximum of 70 guests. Each thatched bungalow and villa sleeps between two and six people and is equipped with mosquito nets, an en-suite bathroom, living room, kitchen and a large terrace. The rooms are built on stilts to provide guests with uninterrupted views of Ambondrona Bay... one of Nosy Be's most beautiful beaches.

Les Hauts Manguiers is centrally located which means that it is ideally placed for guests to explore the various islands within the archipelago, such as Nosy Tanikely and Nosy Komba. Experience snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing, pirogue excursions, quad biking and the local markets while you stay at this new Malagasy hotel!

If you would like to learn more about this exciting new hotel, please email one of our friendly consultants on info@jenmansafaris.com.
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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
Toll Free: 0861 JENMAN (0861 536 626)
Email: info@jenmansafaris.com
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