Travel buddy

No worries.

I mostly travel independently.... But I don't mind sharing a few itinerary segments, from time to time;)
In Madagascar, I've never hired a company. Back in 2005, that option was barely available... Now, I just find the prices way too expensive. Every park/reserve is different. For Kirindy and Andasibe, just just show up to the office and they'll arrange your guide. BTW, the distance between the road and the Kirindy Office/Accomodation is about 5 km, NOT 2km, as Bradt states. I took a taxi Brousse to that point. A two km isn't all that bad, but when 2km becomes 5km and you have all 35Kg with you (80 litre pack plus my day pack), in the sun/heat, it wasn't pleasant. I suggest you hire a cab/car to take you right to the office (from Morondova)... it's well worth the extra cash;) Oh, in Andasibe, don't get sucked into taking a guide that hangs around your accomodation, In 2005, I didn't realize that you could just walk up to the entrance of the park and have a choice.. The guide I got in 2005 ended being a drunk... I did see the Indri, so it wasn't a total disaster! Last year, I just decided to to the Park entrance and it's pretty organized there.

No worries.

I mostly travel independently.... But I don't mind sharing a few itinerary segments, from time to time;)
In Madagascar, I've never hired a company. Back in 2005, that option was barely available... Now, I just find the prices way too expensive. Every park/reserve is different. For Kirindy and Andasibe, just just show up to the office and they'll arrange your guide. BTW, the distance between the road and the Kirindy Office/Accomodation is about 5 km, NOT 2km, as Bradt states. I took a taxi Brousse to that point. A two km isn't all that bad, but when 2km becomes 5km and you have all 35Kg with you (80 litre pack plus my day pack), in the sun/heat, it wasn't pleasant. I suggest you hire a cab/car to take you right to the office (from Morondova)... it's well worth the extra cash;) Oh, in Andasibe, don't get sucked into taking a guide that hangs around your accomodation, In 2005, I didn't realize that you could just walk up to the entrance of the park and have a choice.. The guide I got in 2005 ended being a drunk... I did see the Indri, so it wasn't a total disaster! Last year, I just decided to to the Park entrance and it's pretty organized there.

Here is something I found on the net regarding Misinjo:
Just opposite of the entrance to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is a local initiative by Association Mitsinjo who manages the Analamazaotra Forest Station. Here's what Rainer Dolch had to say: "Their forest is in an excellent state, you see indri (one group of which has been habituated by an extraordinary guy called Joseph), and it seems you have a much better chance to see Uroplatus and Parson’s chameleon in the Mitsinjo forest than in the national park. Also, Mitsinjo are the only guides that offer nightwalks in the forest (and not the usual walk along the road that most Andasibe visitors are used to). Tours to the Mitsinjo forest are cheaper than tours in the national park, and your money will be used for community projects in agriculture and health for the people living around the forest managed by the association.

Anyway, I can't seem to find their website, but if you google hard enough, you'll find it.
Oh, I forgot to mention... In Kirindy, don't be pressured into getting a non-English speaking guide. I had an English guide for a couple of treks, but then they decided to switch me over to this old, drunk, rude French speaking guy on the second day. I refused to accept him, being that he was generally pretty loud and obnoxious and I also couldn't understand a word he was saying (even though my French is pretty good).

You sound a lot like me! I'm 37 , female, from upstate NY, USA, and plan to go for the first time this September/October, with a week or two first in South Africa. My very cool fun mother is going to be my companion, and we are looking for lots of nature, authentic culture, and just getting back to real human roots, letting the outside world go! We are in moderate physical shape, plan to hike and kayak all summer to get in better condition, as we want to do some hiking and canoeing there, get our hands dirty a bit, but also get into the local rums and dry out on nice beaches some days, lol. We really would love to unite with some fellow Westerners for travel and fun while there, even if it's not for the whole time. Aside from company and companionship from similar cultural backgrounds to share thoughts with, we would others to split prices with so we ALL get more out of Madagascar :) ( Airfare from the USA is insane, eating up a lot of budget)
Cheers!
Emily

Hi Emily,

Yes, being in a group drastically reduces costs. I have always traveled solo, so I'm always paying through my nose lol Anyway, there are pros to traveling alone, as well. Regarding flights.. Well, I'm kinda lucky.... I use aeroplan miles(associated with Staralliance) for my big haul flights. Get this, I am flying Toronto/Johannesberg; Johannesberg/Bali; Bali/Toronto. I am using 100,000 miles but only spending $142 Canadian dollars!! From Johannesberg, I booked my own return flight with Air Madagascar (very expensive for a 3 hour flight). However, the major pro regarding this, is that while in Madagascar, you can book every domestic flight for half price, as long as you're long haul flight (international flight) into the country is with AirMadagascar. Internal flights have gone skywards over the last few years, so getting tix for half off really helps, especially when we're talking about Madagascar and their roads (or the lack there of). Anyway, I will be in Madagscar between June 23 and September 5, 2015, so it looks like we'll miss eachother. I am flying to Indonesia after that point and tarveling through Komodo, Sulawesi, Java, Sumatra, and Borneo. If you need any travel advice regarding South Africa, let me know. I have been there four times.

All the best,
Tom

and of course, hit me up for any tips on Madagascar as well.

Unfortunately I won't be making it to Madagascar this year, thanks everyone for the information. I hope to make it one day! Good luck with your next travel adventures!

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