Hi,
Need some help choosing a tour operator in Mada to do an RN7 route from Tana to Tulear. There are a few I found online but when searching for reviews I wasnt sure if they wrote it themselves or not.
Has anyone heard of and/or used 'Riga Tours' or Andrei or 'Madagascar Tour Guides'?
Thank you!!
We used Ramartours (www.ramartour.com) in November with the car and driver only service to do the same route (although they do also do tours) and they were excellent and reasonably priced too and they have drivers that speak English and can recommend good English-speaking guides at each of the parks.
Hi. My names Julie. Im Australian and I have used Rija Tours and strongly recommend Rija and his drivers and guides. I had my own car and fab driver plus a bunch of flights and transfers and had a great time. Rija arranged everything for me and I was really amazed how smoothly everything ran. Everybody was very punctual and I felt quite safe and well looked after. He can make any itinerary that suits you. I just emailed him and told him where I wanted to go and he fitted it all together so it was hassle free for me. Hes a good man. Happy to answer any other questions you may have.
Travelled with Ramartours in September 2012 and all in all the experience was okay.
When my partner and I arrived in Tana, we were picked up by a representative from Ramartours and we asked where we could exchange our Euros to Malagasy ariary. The representative told us we did not need to worry about that now but could organise it in morning. So that evening we stayed at Mevaguesthouse (which is actually fun by Ramartours) and in the morning Jonah who organised our itinerary also offered to exchange our Euros. Now of course we don't expect to get the best rate through Ramartours but we don't expect to get totally ripped off either. He gave us exchange rate for 1 euro, 2650 MGA. THAT afternoon we went to airport to exchange some more Euros at the rate of 2820 MGA. We calculated that the 700 Euros we exchange with trust worthy Jonah cost us around 45.00 Euros. Not a great way to start our holiday.
Ramatours organised a car and driver and we drove from Ifarty up to Mahambo, the driver was excellent and always felt safe but we did have to pay the driver's accommodation a few times because the hotels we were staying in couldn't provide a bed for him. It wasn't much money but you just don't expect that added cost. Also in regards to accommodation, I made it very clear to Jonah in emails that we want to stay in best room with best views and are prepared to pay for that. This did not happen, on one occasion we paid 12 Euros extra to be upgraded to bigger bungalow on beach, other times we just could not be bothered - this should have been organised. Another complaint was that we had a transfer with a boat to Saint Marie, had to get up early from driver to get us to the port on time. He left and we had to wait over 3 hours - great time management, would have rather slept in.
All in all Ramatours are okay if you want budget accommodation and a criminal exchange rate. If I were to go to Madagascar again, I would organise a car and driver and book all accommodation directly - this will save you a lot of money and there is some beautiful accommodation in Madagascar that in not expensive.
My daughter and I booked a 3-week tour of Madagascar with Ramourtour. We have just come to the end or of trip. The country is safe. We went on route 7 from Tana via Ranomafama, Isalo and Vombitse to Tulear, then from Morondava to the Tsingy, from Morondava to Antsirabe, then Tana, Andsabise and Tamatave. We spent the last 4 days on Ile aux Nattes, just off Sainte Marie. Ramartour organized it perfectly and operated highly professionally throughout the 21 days. The drivers and guides were fantastic- so friendly, knowledgeable, competent, trustworthy and reliable.
The company is family-run and has exceedingly high standards. They have guides who speak English, French or German and I think even Chinese and Dutch. I am so pleased we choose this company. If we come again, we will definitely use Ramartour.
