How to enter? All you need to do is answer the question below and email us at info@jenmansafaris.com with the subject line "Fishing Competition". Send us your full name and contact details along with your answer!

Question: On which island can you find Turtle Bay Camp?

Competition ends: Monday 30th November 2009 (THIS MONTH!).
*Prize excludes flights. Conditions apply.
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Upgrades to Turtle Bay Camp

As you may have gathered by now, Jenman Island Safaris owns a fishing camp known as Turtle Bay. Located in the remote Radamas Archipelago in Madagascar, two hours south-west of Nosy Be, Turtle Bay Camp offers guests the quintessential Robinson Crusoe experience. Since we acquired the land on Kalakajoro, we have slowly been building up the camp. Over the past two years we have sent up containers from South Africa (containing boats, toilets, stainless steel kitchen equipment, fishing equipment and other items difficult to obtain in Madagascar) and have used local skills to make furniture, bungalows and all the buildings that make up the camp.

We are thrilled to see the development of our camp over the past few months, and also our staff, who pick up new skills along the way, and also impart their excellent local knowledge to us. It's truly a privilege to share our cultures!

Today we have two boats, six rustic chalets, separate bathroom facilities, a comfortable boma, tropical bar (stocked with local and South African beverages), an ice machine, a stainless steel kitchen, two generators and a solar power system, a refrigeration system, and a reverse osmosis filtration system for the water supply!

The islands surrounding Turtle Bay Camp are mostly uninhabited, with the waters supporting virtually untouched fish populations. Water conditions are sheltered and calm with no shore break and extremely high visibility, making Turtle Bay an ideal introduction for new salt water fishermen as well as a Mecca for the more experienced. The continental shelf lies just 3km from the camp, and drops from 10 to 100 meters, running parallel along the coast for 13km. Here you will find brilliantly clear water teeming with most of the local pelagic game fish species, including sailfish, giant trevally, dorado, king mackerel, barracuda, wahoo, large dog tooth tuna, and more. Come and experience the undiscovered clear waters, pristine beaches, magnificent red sunsets and fabulous fishing for yourself!

Priced from USD 1460 / EUR 1040 per person sharing, based on 4 people travelling. Price includes 7 nights accommodation, 3 days boat fishing & all transfers. (Price excludes all flights & airport taxes).
Lower rates apply for groups from 5 upwards. Click here for more information.

** We are working on an exciting non-fishing package to Turtle bay Camp for all you non-fishing people out there, that would still love to enjoy the remoteness of the island. Watch this space...

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Another great fishing Magazine features Turtle Bay Camp

Stywe Lyne (Tight Lines Magazine) featured a fantastic article about the upgrades to the Turtle Bay Fishing Camp - our exclusive fishing camp on the island of Kalakajaro, Madagascar. In November 2007 Eben Dowd visited Turtle bay Camp and with the recent upgrades to our fishing camp, Stywe Lyne decided to feature the upgrades in their latest edition of their popular fishing magazine! Below are some quotes from the article:

"The camp operates a 28ft. Cape Craft Ski boat with 2x 225hp outboards, all of which are maintained and equipped for game fishing. Fergus O'Brien is your skipper and host and with some thirty years of fishing experience behind him, has had the good fortune to fish in numerous different countries, skippering fishing boats of all dimensions. Fergus is at his absolute best whilst trolling the Indian Oceans."

"With his one man crew, they are a combination extremely adept at their jobs and are very knowledgeable in terms of different fish species and the whereabouts of fish in proximity to the camp - thus avoiding unnecessary travel time in hunting for them."

"Turtle Bay Camp is established on a clearing shaded by coconut palms, merely 20 metres off the beach. The island is fairly small (approximately 8kms in perimeter) and a walk around the island during low tide is strongly recommended."

Night Fishing with Fergus (our Turtle Bay Camp Manager)

Having spent the past two months at Turtle Bay Camp hosting clients and taking them out fishing, I had been looking forward to a little adventure of my own. Over long discussions with the local staff at camp, and particularly our new local Malagasy chef "Herman", I was convinced some night fishing off the outer reefs of Kalakajoro would be a worthwhile exercise.

Using the local skills of our staff and their excellent knowledge of the local waters, I requested Herman to guide us to the reefs that he has fished off in the past. We set off in Grey Goose (our 16' Coast Cat) in pitch darkness. The full moon only came up after 10pm and the sea was particularly choppy, so I was fully appreciative of Herman's years of experience living in the area. Without the use of landmarks or GPS readings, Herman guided us for approximately 30 minutes where he requested that I stop. He climbed into the fish hatch where he put his ear against the floor to listen for the sounds off the reefs. This procedure occurred a few more times until he was happy that we were on the spot and the three of us could commence fishing. Using cut bait and drop shot, we dropped our bait down to the reef (20 fathoms). All rods had immediate bites and then the fun really began! Our first fish was an Emperor snapper of approximately 11kgs followed by a variety of fish including Blood snappers, a variety of sharks including a large Hammerhead and numerous species of Rock cods. Once the moon rose, the fish sadly went off the bite, however having caught a large number of fish and a variety of species in a short period of time (all released, with the exception of two) we were very happy to return to base. Not only did I enjoy myself immensely, but I was also extremely impressed with the traditional skills used by Herman. Partaking in such a local experience really displays how people with no access to modern technology, can manage to get by very adequately!

I will as a result of this interesting exercise, be including the Night fishing adventure as an option for future trips. To find out more about this exciting new option you can email us on info@jenmansafaris.com
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Sweden - safe to travel to Madagascar

Last week Sweden joined the many other countries around the world by lifting its travel ban to Madagascar. This comes after the recent talks in Ethiopia which brought about some good news for Madagascar. Madagascar's political rivals have agreed on posts within a transitional government that will hold power until next year's elections (Andry Rajoelina will remain as the president and he will be accompanied by two co-presidents). The deal announced late Friday (last week) allows Andry Rajoelina to remain head of state. However, he now will be joined by two co-presidents representing other political factions on the Indian Ocean Island off the southeast coast of Africa. ______________________________________________________________________________________

How to cook in Madagascar Style from your own kitchen...

If you can't get to Madagascar this year then why not bring a little bit of this tropical island into your home. All you need to do is create the dish below, make some cocktails, wear a sarong and a hat... and pretend away... And after one taste of this local speciality dish we are sure you will want to experience Madagascar even more!

Malagache Prawn and Chicken Curry (takes about 45 mins and serves 4)

What you need:
1 tbsp Vegetable Oil
4 Boneless Chicken Breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
2 Onions, chopped
1 teasp ground Turmeric
1 tbsp Mild Curry Powder
Salt
4 Garlic Cloves, chopped
25g freshly chopped Ginger
1 teasp Dried Thyme
1 tbsp freshly chopped Parsley
4 tomatoes, chopped
1 x 400g/14oz tin Coconut Milk
20 large Raw Prawns, peeled and deveined
1 tbsp freshly chopped Coriander
A squeeze of Fresh Lime Juice

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan add the chicken and fry until golden brown on all sides.
2. Add the onions, garlic and ginger and sauté until softened, stirring from time to time.
3. Meanwhile, place the turmeric and curry powder in a small bowl with just enough water to make a paste.
4. Add the curry paste to the chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes mixing well, then add the salt, thyme, parsley and tomatoes.Mix well, cover and continue cook for 15 minutes, stirring from time to time.
5. Add the coconut milk and prawns and cook for about 5 minutes or until the prawns are pink and cooked through.
6. Add the chopped coriander and lime juice, and mix well. Serve immediately.

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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
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
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