Dear all
I am going alone for a 20-30 days trip, budget: 5000 USD. could anyone who has been to both Madagascar and New guinea give me some suggestions? Which one can see the most nature and culture things?
Appreciated for any kind of replies :)
Thanks so much in advance!
New Guinea is FAR more pristine but its wildlife is MUCH harder to see than Madagascar's.
But for culture, New Guinea is incomparably more interesting.
I myself found one trip to Madagascar enough.
After many, many trips to New Guinea, I'm still looking forward to the next one any time!
Hello,
I agree with #1 , Madagascar is one best place to spot the animals ( lemur , reptiles, birds,...) and don't forget 80% of plants are endemique , the rainforest is in east part and the west part is spinny forest , the both has their unique animals. About the cultures, try to plan your trip to the south and if you want to attend exhumation ( famadihana) plan your trip between June to September.
Good luck!!!!
Anne
G'day
By New Guinea I imagine you are talking about PNG. Don't know when the others travelled there but it is getting more dangerous every year, especially Port Moresby. Yes if you go with a tour you're pretty safe but by yourself, go if you're very adventurous. Madagascar is very safe outside of Tana, pick pockets, beggars and dangerous at night. I love travelling in the country and meeting the locals. I travel to both places, by myself, on business and pleasure and certainly prefer Madagascar. The wildlife is great and there are fantastic places to see. I usually travel by 4x4 with a English speaking driver, and I have given many lifts to singles and couples travelling via taxi brousses. Food is great, if you're a little adventurous, especially if you're away from the normal tourist areas.
Edited by: jjoz
Both are really fabulous islands. I would say Madagascar is much easier to visit and things are more accessible - especially the case for wildlife which is at your fingertips when you enter most parks. Seeing wildlife in New Guinea is tremendously difficult. Birds of paradise etc aside, just spotting good numbers of new species whilst walking in the forest can be a real challenge. Lodges on the PNG side I believe are more geared for tourism and should manage to show you a lot of stuff in little time, but in West Papua you need more time and determination. As for languages - you really do need at least some knowledge of indonesian in west papua unless you are being escorted by a guide. In Madagascar some french goes a long way if travelling independently.
As for culture, its a close call - both islands have fascinating cultures, although Papuas I think is more interesting. In madagascar it will probably take a lot more to really experience the native culture, but this is something I have never attempted as I have always focussed on wildlife.
All in all, in terms of time/effort versus rewarding sightings/experiences, I would say Madagascar is the more rewarding destination for most people, but it is so difficult to gauge it like that as everyone has personal interests and tastes.
Have a great trip