Travel and trip information about Madagascar

BEFORE TRAVELLING :

• One is required to sign a standard indemnity form.
• Nosy Be is a malaria area. Contact your local GP or travel clinic to find out the correct preventative measures and medcication needed.
• Add R500 pp for high season.
• Visas are available on arrival at no charge.
• Money: Take Euros or US $ (SA Rands are useless). We organise someone to change money when you get there but the best rate is at the Bureau de Change at Tanna Airport.
• Don’t forget the following, Torch (head-torch best!), sunscreen, mozzie repellant, baby powder, basic first aid (we have a first aid kit on board but you may want extra), duvet cover to sleep in (not a sleeping bag, its too warm), light long sleeve shirt and long pants for evenings...to protect against mozzies. Rash vest to swim in., comfy beach shoes that you can also walk in, such as Crocs or Rocky’s & some snacks.
• We suggest you pack a bit of everything in your hand luggage so IF your main luggage goes missing (it has happened) you at least have your toiletry bag and goggles.
• Drinks: You are welcome to bring your own drinks along. Wine is terrible and expensive. Bring Gin or Whisky (we do the tonic and soda). Beer is cold and wonderful...as is the rum.
• Madagascar has the worst pillows in the world. If you are pillow fussy bring one...even a cheap one that you leave behind.
• We can charge cameras and cell phones (unfortunately there is reception) but only using a two prong charger.

PRICE INCLUDES :

1. Transfers from Nosy Be airport to your hotel.
2. First night in a hotel in Hellville Nosy Be or Antananarivo depending on flights.
3. The dhow with captain and 3 crew.
4. All meals on the boat and in camp.
5. A-frame bungalows with two beds OR two man tents when we camp.
6. Fishing rods and reels but no lures.

PRICE EXCLUDES :

1. Any meals that are not made by our staff unless mentioned above. (ie if you choose to eat out.)
2. Accommodation if you chose to upgrade.
3. Bottled drinking water, alcohol or cool drinks (coke, fanta, sodas). We arrange for you to get as much as you want.
4. Fishing lures, rapalas hooks and sinkers. If you’re a keen fisherman bring all the gear you want. (Light spinning, drop-shotting and fly fishing gear all work well!)
5. All you need for bedding is a duvet COVER. You may want to take a light small blanket like a thin polar-fleece. It is hot so no sleeping bags or blankets are needed (Note tents have built in nets).
6. Goggles, snorkels and flippers (although flippers are not important as there are no strong currents). We spend most of our time at fairly remote islands where there are very few people and shells to collect rather than markets to visit. However, at Nosy Komba there is a vibrant local market and sometimes local crafters bring their goods to our camps so have some money available if you want some locally made curios. We also try make time for a brief stop at the Helville market should you want.