Activities in Madagascar
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Mr Raherison Tours
Affiliated with Hôtel Hasina, this guide runs Tsiribihina River descents. The hotel can provide information, but contact Mr Raherison directly for booking and prices.
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Whale Watching
Every year between July and September, Baie d'Antongil, just south of Maroantsetra, is the site of the migration of hundreds of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). The whales make their way from the Antarctic northward to the warmer waters around Baie d'Antongil, where they spend the winter months breeding and birthing before the long journey back to Antarctica. En route the whales swim past Fort Dauphin and Île Sainte Marie, where they are often sighted offshore.
Humpbacks can measure up to 15m in length and weigh as much as 35,000kg. Despite their size, they are exceptionally agile, and capable of acrobatic moves such as breaching (launching themselves…
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Maroa Tours
Rakoto, an English-speaking Angap guide and 'fixer', does excursions by pirogue to villages upriver from Maroantsetra (for groups of two or more), along with visits to Nosy Mangabe and the Masoala Peninsula. The tours include visits to a vanilla and cinnamon farm and village weaving workshops. The best time to see vanilla is between October and June. Rakoto can also organised guided treks to Mananara.
The vanilla plant was introduced to Madagascar from Mexico by French plantation owners, who named it vanille (lavanila in Malagasy), from the Spanish vainilla or 'little pod'. It is a type of climbing orchid, Vanila planifolia, which attaches itself to trees. The vanilla…
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Azafady Volunteers
Azafady isn't a tour operator but a volunteer organisation working on community tourism projects around Fort Dauphin. It runs several well-equipped camping grounds in village, beach and forest sites in the region and can provide transport, camping equipment and guides to independent travellers who want to experience local life and nature while helping village communities. If you're interested in staying longer in Madagascar, ask the staff about volunteering opportunities.
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MS Mauritius Trochetia
The luxury cruise liner MS Mauritius Trochetia leaves Toamasina for Réunion and Mauritius approximately every two weeks. One-way fares to Réunion start at around €180 for a 2nd-class cabin (based on two people sharing), and €230 to Mauritius. More expensive deluxe cabins are also available. For tickets, go to Tropical Service, near the Hotel Joffre.
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Jean le Rasta Tours
Charismatic Jean le Rasta, or Rasta Jean, speaks English, is reliable and owns a 4WD. He runs, or organises, a range of tours including to Parc National des Tsingy de Bemaraha and Réserve Forestière de Kirindy, and transfers to Belo-sur-Mer or further south down the coast. Look for him at the grungy backpacker dive, L'Oasis.
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Lôlô Voyages
This recommended guide specialises in treks and hikes in the Tanala villages around Parc National de Ranomafana. He also can arrange excursions to nearby attractions, pirogue excursions on the Matsiatra River, and private transport between Fianarantsoa and Antananarivo that stops at points of interest along the way.
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Madtrekking
This excellent company affiliated with Tsara Guest House (its office is right next door) offers a wide variety of excursions, including trekking in Parc National de Ranomafana, day hikes through villages around Fianarantsoa and pirogue excursions on the Matsiatra River. It can also hire out 4WDs with a driver.
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Kayak Masoala
Kayak Masoala has set up several kayaking camp sites on the peninsula and run trips there from Maroantsetra. Sea kayaking is an excellent way to explore the shores around Maroantsetra and the Masoala Peninsula, and there are numerous excellent routes. Inquire at Le Coco Beach for information.
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Quad, Motor or Mountain Biking
A great way to get out and explore the area around Maroantsetra is by mountain bike. If that sounds too energetic, rent a quad or motorcycle, both of which are just about the only motor vehicles that can make it far along the very rough RN2. All bikes can be hired in town.
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Ankoba Watersports
To hire surfboards or windsurfers call in to Ankoba Watersports, which can also help organise diving and fishing trips. From late June or early July until about mid-September, dolphins and humpback whales are visible offshore from the beaches around Fort Dauphin.
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L'Arche Tours
Guides Laza and Robinson Crusoe (yes, that's his real name) are based in the L'Arche restaurant and do trips down the Tsiribihina River and to Tsingy de Bemaraha, together or separately. They can also organise car hire. Laza speaks better English than Robinson.
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Cap Sainte Marie
If you're heading to Île Sainte Marie, the boat company Cap Sainte Marie has an office in Toamasina (sharing the same office as the boat company La Compagnie du Canal) and runs daily bus transfers to meet their shuttle at Soanierana-Ivongo (€60 return).
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Discover Madagascar Tours
In the Hôtel Baobab, this company has a good reputation. Guide Désiré speaks impeccable English and runs a variety of trips, including the popular Tsiribihina River and Tsingy de Bemaraha combo - which includes a transfer by zebu cart.
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Baobab Tours
This respected, upmarket, agency specialises in deep-sea fishing and diving trips; it also organises reliable trips to Parc National des Tsingy de Bemaraha, Belo-sur-Mer and boat trips up and down the coast.
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Maderi Tour
Catamaran sailing trips as far north as Nosy Be, plus 4WD excursions and longer trips around Madagascar. It has just opened the Antsanitia Beach Resort, an hour north of town, that's getting good reviews.
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Chez Nathan Fitness Club
Although the Sharon Hôtel has its own fitness centre and luxury beauty salon; if you want a cheaper gym or cardio workout, try Chez Nathan Fitness Club, opposite the Génération Hôtel.
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La Compagnie du Canal
Sharing the same office as the boat company Cap Sainte Marie, La Compagnie du Canal has daily services to Manambato €50 via Ankanin'ny Nofy €35, on the Canal des Pangalanes.
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Safari Laka
A reliable outfit based at Motel Gina with a variety of excursions to the surrounding area, including a good day trip to the rain forest at Enato and the Lokaro Peninsula.
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Le Maison des Guides
This new company is a village initiative that's well worth supporting. It specialises in mountain and village treks with an emphasis on community tourism.
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Remote Rivers
Chez Maggie is an agent for Remote Rivers, which runs sustainable-travel-focused trips down the little-explored Mangoky, Mahavavy and Manambolo Rivers.
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Roadhouse Tours
A German-run outfit that does Tsiribihina River descents, hikes around the Zafimaniry villages near Ambositra, and excursions around the whole country.
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SHTM Tours
An upmarket company based at Le Dauphin, catering mainly to package tours. SHTM is the only option for visiting Réserve Privée de Berenty.
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Softline
This company offers trips on the Canal des Pangalanes for around MGA60,000 per person per day; also offers bike and scooter hire.
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Trajectoire Tours
Specialises in motorbike and quad hire and off-the-beaten-path cycling, trekking and camping excursions in southern Madagascar.
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