trey ratcliffs madagascar safari 2019 - experiential …...with terrace offering panoramic city...
TRANSCRIPT
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TreyRatcliff'sMadagascarSafari2019
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TreyRatcliff'sMadagascarSafari2019
Johannesburg-Antananarivo-KirindyPrivateReserve-Morondava-PerinetSpecialReserve12Days/11Nights
14PersonsDateofIssue:29January2019
28September2019-09October2019
ClickheretoviewyourDigitalItinerary
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IntroductionAnexclusivetourofSoweto,SouthAfricaandMadagascar.Highlightsinclude:
-TourofSoweto
-Lemurs
-AvenueofBaobabs
KeyHB:HalfBoardB&B:BedandBreakfastFB:Dinner,Bed,BreakfastandLunch
ExcludedAllflights
Day1:Saturday,28SeptemberPeermontD'orealeGrandeHotelatEmperorsPalace,Johannesburg
JohannesburgJohannesburgisoneofAfrica’sbiggestandmostvibrantcities.ItistheeconomiccapitalofAfricaandthegatewaytoSouthernAfrica.AlthoughnotasfamousasotherSouthAfricandestinations,thereisplentytodoinJohannesburgandnearbyPretoria.Theoldcityisamulti-culturalmixtureoftraditionalmedicineshops,Chineserestaurants,taxi
Accommodation Destination Start End Basis RoomType Duration
PeermontD'orealeGrandeHotelatEmperorsPalace
Johannesburg 28Sep 30Sep
B&B 7xTwinRoom
2Nights
RelaisdesPlateaux Antananarivo 30Sep 1Oct B&B 7xTwinRoom
1Night
LeCampAmoureux KirindyPrivateReserve
1Oct 3Oct FB 7xTwinRoom
2Nights
PalissandreCôteOuest Morondava 3Oct 4Oct HB 7xTwinRoom
1Night
PalissandreHotel&Spa Antananarivo 4Oct 5Oct HB 7xTwinRoom
1Night
AndasibeHotel PerinetSpecialReserve
5Oct 8Oct HB 7xTwinRoom
3Nights
PalissandreHotel&Spa Antananarivo 8Oct 9Oct HB 7xTwinRoom
1Night
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ranksandultra-modernskyscrapers.Thereareexcellentmuseums,artgalleriesandorganisedtoursofhistoricalandpoliticalinterest.TheshoppingisSouthernAfrica’sbestandthemanyrestaurantscaterforalltastes.ThenearbytownshipofSowetoisJohannesburg’smostpopulartouristattraction.
Overnight:PeermontD'orealeGrandeHotelatEmperorsPalace ViewiBrochureDiscoveruntoldluxuryandregalcomfort...the5-starPeermontD'orealeGrandehotelatEmperorsPalaceisconvenientlylocatednexttoO.R.TamboInternationalAirportinJohannesburg.Thehotelfeatures182beautifullydesignedandimpeccablyappointedroomsandsuitesthatarefittedwithplush,state-of-the-artindulgences.Thehotel’scomfortlevelsareenhancedbysuperiorlevelsofserviceandguestrelations,aswellasinternationallanguageandcultureproficiencies,whiletheClubFloorandLoungeoffersafullbouquetofpersonalandconciergeservicesdedicatedtothediscerningbusinesstraveller.Acomplimentaryshuttleservicetoandfromtheairportisavailable.Dineinthenewly-styledAurelia’srestaurant,indulgeyoursensesatOctavia’sSensoriumDaySpaorsipacocktailwhilewatchingtheAfricansunsetatNeptune’sPoolBaratthespectacularpoolterracewithitsRomanwaterfountaincascadingintoclearwaters.
BasisBed&Breakfast
Day2:Sunday,29SeptemberPeermontD'orealeGrandeHotelatEmperorsPalace,Johannesburg
Activities
SowetoDayTourASowetoDayTourstakesinthehighlightsofthisiconictownshipincludingNelsonMandela’sformerhomeandtheHectorPietersonmuseum(hewasoneoftheschoolchildrenwhowasshotinthe1976SowetoUprising).
YouwillgetclosetoSowetoCulture,meetingthepeople,tryinglocalfoodsandmaybeevensomeOmqombothi(ourtraditionalbeer)atashebeen.
Thistourisoneofakind,thesmellofpavementcookedmealsandthebuzzinthestreetsofpeoplegoingabouttheirdailychores.Comeandexperiencetownshiplife,thehumanity,hospitalityandwarmthofthepeople,the"Ubuntu"asitisknowninSouthAfrica.
SowetoDayTour
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BasisBed&Breakfast
Day3:Monday,30SeptemberRelaisdesPlateaux,Antananarivo
AntananarivoAntananarivo,alsoknownasTana,isMadagascar’scapitalcity.Itisperchedat1400metresabovesealevelcrowningaspectacularmountainrange.Foundedin1625,Antananarivoboastsarichhistoricalheritagethatiscomplementedbysceniclandscapescoveredinalargenetworkofpopularhikingroutes.Thecityservesasagreatbasefromwhichtoexplorethemagnificentsurroundingarea,whichhostsseveralnaturereserves,includingtheTsingydeBemarahaNationalPark,withitsfantasticlimestonekarsts.Knownforitsvibrantnightlife,Antananarivofeatureslocallivemusicatavarietyofclubsandbars.VisitorscanlookforwardtoexploringtheremnantsoftheFrenchcolonialeraintheoldheartofthecity,aswellasdiscoveringancientMalagasypalacesinterspersedbetweenthefadedgrandeurofthesecolonialrelics.
DayItineraryOnarrivalyouaremetbyourgroundhandlerwhowillassistyouwithyourprivatetransfertoRelaisdesPlateauxwhereyouspendonenightinstandardroomsonbedandbreakfastbasis.Ourgroundhandlerwillassistyouwithchangingmoneyattheairportandluggageetc.
FlightInformation
Transfers
Date Flight Airline DepartureAirport Time ArrivalAirport Time Class Ref
30Sep Scheduled ORTamboInternationalAirport[JNB]
IvatoInternationalAirport[TNR]
Date Company PickUp DropOff Time Vehicle
30Sep PeermontD'orealeGrandeHotelatEmperorsPalace
ORTamboInternationalAirport[JNB]
Transfer
30Sep IvatoInternationalAirport[TNR] RelaisdesPlateaux Transfer
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Overnight:RelaisdesPlateaux RelaisdesPlateauxisahotelandrestaurantsituatedtenminutesfromtheairportinawoodedpark.Jacarandas,avocadotrees,palmtreesandbougainvilleasmakeforatranquilandattractiveenvironment.Thehotelboastsalargeswimmingpoolandsmallkiddiesplayground.TherestauranthasagoodreputationfordelicioustraditionalspecialitiesaswellasexquisiteZebumeatdishes.Accommodationisprovidedincomfortableroomswithspaciousbathrooms,televisionwithsatellitechannels,minibarandairconditioning.Thehotelalsoassistswithcitytoursandexcursions.
BasisBed&Breakfast
Day4:Tuesday,1OctoberLeCampAmoureux,KirindyPrivateReserve
KirindyPrivateReserveWiththeMozambiqueChanneltoitswestandencircledbylushnaturallandscapes,theKirindyPrivateReserveliesonMadagascar'sbeautifulwesterncoast.Thisprivatelymanagedreserveprovidesasanctuaryforahostofendangeredecosystemsnamelydrydeciduousforests,andacollectionofwildlifewhichincludesthegiantjumpingrat,sevenendemiclemurspeciesandanarrayofbirdspeciesthatinhabitthisswatheofuniquevegetation.Knownforitsextremeseasonalchanges,thisreserveismostpopularaftertherainyseasonwhenverdantlandscapesexplodeintoexistence.Visitorscanlookforwardtonighthikes,spottingthegiantumbrella-branchedbaobabtree,catchingaglimpseofavarietyofnocturnalmammals,reptiles,andinsectsfillingthespectacularnightskies.
DayItineraryCheckoutofthehotelafterbreakfast,andourrepresentativewilltransferyoutoTanaairportintimetocheck-infortheflighttoMorondava.OnarrivalinMorondava,ourrepresentativewillbewaitingtomeetandtransferyoutoMarofandiliawhichisclosetoKirindy.CheckintoCampAmoureuxwhereyouspendthenexttwonightsonfullboardbasis.EnroutestopatAlléedesBaobabstophotographthefamousBaobabtrees.Afterdinner,takeawalknearCampAmoureuxtoseesuchnight-speciesastheFork-MarkedLemurs,Mme.Berthe’smouse-lemurwhichisarguablythesmallestmammalintheworld,justtonameafew.
FlightInformationDate Flight Airline DepartureAirport Time ArrivalAirport Time Class Ref
1Oct Scheduled IvatoInternational LeCamp
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Transfers
Overnight:LeCampAmoureux LocatedclosetothefamousAvenueofBaobabs,44kmsnorthofMorondavaandclosetoKirindy,LeCampAmoureuxisasimple,butwelllookedaftercamp.Therearesevententedbungalows,eachofwhichhasen-suitetoiletandshower.Thetentsaresetonasolidwoodenplatformandareperfectlycomfortableforashortstay.Thecampalsohasarestaurantofferinglocalfood,witharealfavouritebeingthecoconutchicken.Itisintheperfectlocationfromwhichtoexploretheareaandwildlifeviewingisgenerallyverygoodclosetocamp.
BasisFullBoard
Day5:Wednesday,2OctoberLeCampAmoureux,KirindyPrivateReserve
DayItineraryTodayyouwillexploreKirindyForestwhichholdsanastonishingarrayofthedenizensofMadagascar’swesterndeciduousforestlikethewhiteVerreauxSifaka,thered-frontedBrownLemurs,somegeckoesandbirds
ThisforesthaswonderfulherpetofaunaincludingthemassiveOustalet’schameleon,Labord’schameleon,CollaredIguanidandGianthog-nosedsnake.Thefloraisremarkablewhereyoucanfindoutmanytreespecieswhichhavemedicinalproperties.IfyouareextremelyluckyyoumayseeaFossa.
BasisFullBoard
Day6:Thursday,3OctoberPalissandreCôteOuest,Morondava
Airport[TNR] Amoureux
Date Company PickUp DropOff Time Vehicle
1Oct RelaisdesPlateaux IvatoInternationalAirport[TNR]
Transfer
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MorondavaTheseasidetownofMorondovaissituatedonthewestcoastofMadagascar.Thetownservesasagatewaytothearea’sclaimtofameandmainattraction:theworld-renowned‘AvenueoftheBaobabs’.Thesemassive,ancientBaobabtreestowerovertheterrainandcreatemagicalotherworldlysilhouettesatsunriseandsunset.Otherplacestoexploreinthesurroundingareainclude:KirindyForest,hometoahostofendemiclemurs;andthemagnificentTsingydeBemarahaNationalParktothenorth,featuringunique,spinyrockformations.Don’tmisstheopportunitytobrowseMorondava’slocalmarketforaselectionoflocallymadetextilesandothersought-afterMadagascanhandicrafts.
DayItineraryAfterafinalforestwalkthismorning,youwillbetransferredbacktoMorondava,onceagainstoppingatAlléedesBaobabsforsomephotoopportunitiesinthelateafternoonlight.CheckintoPalissandreCoteOuestforonenightincludingdinnertonightandbreakfasttomorrowmorning.
Transfers
Overnight:PalissandreCôteOuest LocatedatNosyKelyonthebeachofMorondava,just30minutesfromthemythicalBoababsAlley,PalissandreCôteOuestoffersguestaccommodationin30bungalowsbuiltwithlocalmaterials,allwithprivateterracesofferingoceanviews.
Localandinternationaldishesareservedattheonsiterestaurant,andthebaroffersagoodrangeofalcoholicbeverages.Otherfacilitiesincludeanoutdoorswimmingpoolandaspaofferingmassagesandholistictreatments.
BasisHalfBoard
Day7:Friday,4OctoberPalissandreHotel&Spa,Antananarivo
AntananarivoSeeAbove
Date Company PickUp DropOff Time Vehicle
3Oct LeCampAmoureux PalissandreCôteOuest Transfer
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DayItineraryCheckoutofthehotelandourrepresentativewilltransferyoubacktoMorondavaAirportforyourflighttoTana.OnarrivalinTana,ourrepresentativewillmeetyouandassistyouwithyourprivatetransfertoPalissandreHotel&Spawhereyouspendonenight.Afterfresheningup,makeyourwaytotherestaurantandenjoytheviewsoverTana.Dinnerisincludedattherestaurant..
FlightInformation
Overnight:PalissandreHotel&Spa PalissandreHotel&SpaislocatedindowntownAntananarivo.Itfeaturesanoutdoorpool,aspaandarestaurantwithterraceofferingpanoramiccityviews.FreeWiFiaccessisavailable.
TheroomsatPalissandreHotel&Spacontainwoodenfurniture.EachroomisequippedwithaTV,telephone,minibarandairconditioning.Featuringabathorshower,thebathroomsalsocomeswithahairdryerandbathrobes.Youcanenjoycityandpoolviewsfromtheroom.
TherestaurantserveslocalandFrenchcuisine.Thehotel'sbarisequippedwithsofasandoverlooksthegarden.Guestscanenjoydrinks,cocktailsandsnacks.Otherfacilitiesatthehotelincludeafitnesscenter,a24-hourfrontdesk,aconciergeserviceandmeetingfacilities.Thepropertyoffersfreeon-siteparking.
BasisHalfBoard
Day8:Saturday,5OctoberAndasibeHotel,PerinetSpecialReserve
PerinetSpecialReserveComprising810hectaresofpristinerainforestandmontaneforest,thePerinetorAndasibeSpecialReserveconstitutesthesouthernsectionoftheAndasibe-MantadiaNationalPark.Amongthekaleidoscopeofwildlifefoundinthereserve,itisthebestplacetoseetheIndriIndri,thelargestofthelemurfamily,whichstandsroughlythreefeethighandhasbig,teddy-bear-likeears.Endemictothispartoftheworld,theIndriiscriticallyendangered,withonlyhundredsleft–however,mostvisitorstoPerinetseeIndris,andifyoudon’tseethem,youwillcertainlyhear
Date Flight Airline DepartureAirport Time ArrivalAirport Time Class Ref
4Oct Scheduled PalissandreCôteOuest
PalissandreHotel&Spa
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theirdistinctivecalls.Discovertheelevenotherspeciesoflemurinthepark,spotavarietyofbirds,findhiddenrareorchidsandtrytocatchaglimpseoftheincrediblyunusualsatanicleaf-tailedgecko.
DayItineraryCheckoutofthehotelafterbreakfastandenjoyascenicfourhourdrivetotherainforestparkofAndasibe-MantadiaNationalParkwiththesameprivateguideandadriver.Traversingthehighland-landscapesdominatedbythesubsistencefarmingmainlythericecultivationonsmall-scale,brickworksandsomelocaladobehamletsnottomentionmanyroadsidefood-markets.OnarrivalcheckintoAndasibeHotelwhereyouspendthenextthreenightsonhalfboardmealbasis.Intheafternoon,youwillbetakenonanintroductorywalkintoAnalamazaotraspecialreserveakathePerinetReserve.
Transfers
Overnight:AndasibeHotel SurroundedbyforestjustoutsidethesmalltownofAndasibe,withtheAndasibeNationalParknearby,theAndasibeHoteloffersthree-staraccommodationin20spaciousbungalowssetinsmallprivategardens,eachwithaterrace,lounge,andprivatebathroomwithhotwater.In-roomcomfortsincludeheating,satelliteTV,aminibar,andin-roomsafe.
Theonsiterestaurantservesadelightfulvarietyofexoticcuisinesandguestscanenjoycocktailsattherefreshmentbar.Otherfacilitiesincludemassagerooms,aswimmingpool,billiards,pétanque,boardgames,andaplaygroundwithatrampolineandswings.
BasisHalfBoard
Day9:Sunday,6OctoberAndasibeHotel,PerinetSpecialReserve
DayItineraryEarlybreakfastandthentimetoexploreAndasibeNationalParkwithyourlocalguide.Toseethemostwildlife(especiallyIndrisandbirds)beintherainforestasclosetodaybreakaspossibleasthisiswhentheanimalsaremostactive.ThetrailsarenotdifficulttomanageandmostforestguidesspeakgoodEnglish.YoushouldalsoencounterthelikesofGreyBambooLemur,Red-frontedBrownLemur;birdslikethelovelyBlueCoua;Sunbird-Asityand
Date Company PickUp DropOff Time Vehicle
5Oct PalissandreHotel&Spa AndasibeHotel Transfer
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NuthatchVanga,aswellasimpressivereptilesliketheMalagasyTreeBoaandParson’sChameleon.Orchidsandotherepiphytesfestoonthetrees.MantadiaNationalPark(Mantadiameaningrawpath),thisnewly-created16,000ha-largegameparkprovestobemorechallengingterraincharacterizedbynon-developedandsteeppathsinplaces,butyoucandoasmuchasyoufeelcomfortablewith.TheprimaryrainforesthereisspectacularandwildlifeincludesDiademedSifaka,blackandwhiteruffedlemurs,lesserbamboolemurs,red-belliedlemurs.Hereattractiverareendemicbirds,suchasbrownMesite,pitta-likeandscalyground-rollers,red-frontedCoua,orelselesserVasaparrotsorFrancis/Madagascarsparrowhawkarefound,whichhasmadethisparkbecomeoneofthetop10spotsforkeenbirdwatchers.Atthetopofthesteephill,you’llrestunderashedwhichisusedasanobservationaswell.Quiteafantasticviewofthepristinerainforesthere,whilehearingthesoundsofwaterfallfromthebottomoftheclifforhigh-pitchedcallslaunchedbywildindriindrigroupsfromamileaway.DinnerandovernightAndasibeHotel
BasisHalfBoard
Day10:Monday,7OctoberAndasibeHotel,PerinetSpecialReserve
DayItineraryToday,wehaveadaysetasideforthevisitofthepristineprimaryrainforestofMantadiawheretoseetheDiademedGoldenSifaka,BlackandWhiteRuffedLemursandwithlucktheskittishGrey-BambooLemurs.Theindigenousfloraisoutofthisworldincludingmanycreepers,lichens,fernsandorchids.DinnerandovernightatAndasibeHotel
BasisHalfBoard
Day11:Tuesday,8OctoberPalissandreHotel&Spa,Antananarivo
AntananarivoSeeAbove
DayItineraryAfterafinalrainforestwalkandavisittotheLemurislandyouwillbetransferredbacktoAntananarivothisafternoon.CheckintothePalissandreHotel&Spawhereyouspendyourlastnighteatingdinnerthehotel.
NightatPalissandrebasedonDinnerandbreakfast
TransfersDate Company PickUp DropOff Time Vehicle
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Overnight:PalissandreHotel&Spa PalissandreHotel&SpaislocatedindowntownAntananarivo.Itfeaturesanoutdoorpool,aspaandarestaurantwithterraceofferingpanoramiccityviews.FreeWiFiaccessisavailable.
TheroomsatPalissandreHotel&Spacontainwoodenfurniture.EachroomisequippedwithaTV,telephone,minibarandairconditioning.Featuringabathorshower,thebathroomsalsocomeswithahairdryerandbathrobes.Youcanenjoycityandpoolviewsfromtheroom.
TherestaurantserveslocalandFrenchcuisine.Thehotel'sbarisequippedwithsofasandoverlooksthegarden.Guestscanenjoydrinks,cocktailsandsnacks.Otherfacilitiesatthehotelincludeafitnesscenter,a24-hourfrontdesk,aconciergeserviceandmeetingfacilities.Thepropertyoffersfreeon-siteparking.
BasisHalfBoard
Day12:Wednesday,9OctoberEndofItinerary
DayItineraryAfterbreakfastandfarewells,ourrepresentativewilltransferyoubacktoTanaairportintimetocheck-inforyouroutboundflight.OwnflightarrangementsfromMadagascar.
Transfers
BasisBed&Breakfast
UrgentContactNumbers
8Oct AndasibeHotel PalissandreHotel&Spa Transfer
Date Company PickUp DropOff Time Vehicle
9Oct PalissandreHotel&Spa
IvatoInternationalAirport[TNR]
Transfer
CompanyName Telephone EmailAddress ContactPerson
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ServiceProviderDirectory
ExperientialTravel +61418325812 [email protected] NevilleJones
ServiceProvider Ref.Number Telephone Address
AndasibeHotel +261341432627 PerinetIIAndasibe,514,Madagascar
PalissandreCôteOuest +261209552022 Morondava,Madagascar
PalissandreHotel&Spa +261202260560 Hotel&SpaPalissandre13,RueAndriandahifotsyFaravohitra101Antananarivo
PeermontD'orealeGrandeHotelatEmperorsPalace
+27119281770 64JonesRoadKemptonParkGauteng1620
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TravelInformation
Thisvastcountryisundoubtedlyoneofthemostculturallyandgeographicallydiverseplacesonearth.Fondlyknownbylocalsasthe'RainbowNation',SouthAfricahas11officiallanguagesanditsmulticulturalinhabitantsareinfluencedbyafascinatingmixofcultures.Discoverthegourmetrestaurants,impressiveartscene,vibrantnightlifeandbeautifulbeachesofCapeTown;enjoyalocalbraai(barbecue)intheSowetotownship;browsethebustlingIndianmarketsinDurban;orsamplesomeoftheworld’sfinestwinesatthemyriadwineestatesdottingtheCapeWinelands.SomehistoricalattractionstoexploreincludetheZululandbattlefieldsofKwaZulu-Natal,theApartheidMuseuminJohannesburgandRobbenIsland,justoffthecoastofCapeTown.Aboveallelse,itsremarkablyuntamedwildernesswithitsastonishingrangeofwildliferoamingfreelyacrossmassiveunfencedgamereservessuchastheworld-famousKrugerNationalPark.Withallofthisvarietyonoffer,itislittlewonderthatSouthAfricahasfastbecomeAfrica’smostpopulartouristdestination.
BankingandCurrencyCurrency
ThecurrencyistheRand,whichisdividedinto100cents.ThereareR200,R100,R50,R20andR10notes.CoinscomeinR5,R2,R1,50c,20c,10cand5c.
Banking
Banksarefoundinmosttowns,andaregenerallyopenfrom09h00to15h30onweekdaysand08h30to11h00onSaturdays(ClosedSundaysandPublicHolidays).Mostofthemofferforeignexchangeservices-withcash,bank&creditcardsaswellastravellerscheques.Youcanalsoobtaincashfromautomatictellermachines(ATMs).Severalinternationalbankshavebranchesinthemaincitycentres.Alwaysadviseyourbankthatyouaretravellingoutsideofthecountryastheymightblockyourpurchasesiftheyarenotinformed.
Travel,TransportandGettingAroundTravellingaroundSouthAfricaisrelativelyeasybyair,roadandrail.PrincipalairroutesareservicedbySAAandBritishAirways,operatedbyComair.Thereare2low-costcarriersonmainroutes,namelyKulula.comandMango.
FacilitatingtravelaroundSouthAfricaare10airportsmanagedbytheAirportsCompanySouthAfrica(Acsa).Inaddition,therearesome90regionalairports,includingtheKrugerMpumalangaInternationalAirportinNelspruitandtheSkukuzaAirport,offeringaccesstotheKrugerNationalPark.
AnextensivetarredroadsystemmakestravellinginSouthAfricabyvehicleconvenientandeasy.Youwillfindgravelroadsinruralareasthough.Note:
• Avalidinternationaldriver'slicenceisrequired.
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• Wedriveonthelefthandsideoftheroad.• Wearingseatbeltsiscompulsoryandcellphonescanonlybeused‘handsfree'.• Speedlimitsaregenerallysetat120kmonfreeways,100kmonsecondaryroadsand60kminurbanareas.• Tollfeesapplyoncertainnationalroads.• Petrolstationsarewidespread.• MostglobalcarhirefirmshavebranchesinSouthAfrica
AnothermeansofgettingaroundSouthAfricaareluxuryinter-citybusservicessuchasGreyhoundandTrans-Lux.Metrobusbusesareavailableforin-citytransport.Meteredtaxismustbeorderedbytelephone.Thereisahop-on-hop-offbusinCapeTownandJohannesburg.
Ourrailsystemincludesthelong-haul,inexpensiveShosholozaMeylMetrorailtrains.MoreluxuriousoptionsaretheBlueTrain,PremierClasseandthesteamtrainRovosRail.ThereisalsothenewGautrainrapidtransitrailwaysysteminGautengProvincewhichlinksJohannesburg,Pretoria,EkhuruleniandORTamboInternationalAirport.
Food,DrinkandCuisineAdviceStandardsofhygieneinrelationtofoodhealthandsafetyinSouthAfrica,aregenerallyhighinhotels,restaurants,pubsandnightspots.TapwaterinSouthAfricaissafetodrinkandcookwithwhentakenfromtapsinurbanareas.Notalltapwaterinruralareasissafeforconsumption,sotakeprecautionsifnecessary.
Itissafetoeatfreshfruit,vegetablesandsalads,andputiceinyourdrinks.SouthAfrica'sfish,meatandchickenareofexcellentquality,sothereisnoneedtolimityourselfwhenenjoyingthelocalcuisine.
RestaurantsaresubjecttoSouthAfrica'sfoodsafetycontrollegislation,whichisimplementedbylocalgovernment.Regulationsincludecertificationandregularinspectionsbyhealthinspectorstoensurehygienicstandardsaremaintained.
StreetfoodisnotascommoninSouthAfricaasitisinothercountries,althoughvendorssellingtraditionalsnacksandmealscanbefoundincitycentresandtownships.Foodsafetyinsuchinstancescannotalwaysbeguaranteed.
ClimateandWeatherSouthAfricantemperatures,whicharemeasuredincentigrade,averageathighsof28°Ctoaveragelowsof8°Cinthesummermonthswhilewintertemperaturesrangefrom1°Catnighttoaround18°Cintheday.Averageannualrainfallisonthelowsideatunder500mmayear,makingthecountrysomewhatdry.MuchoftherainfallsintheWesternCapeinthewinter,differingfromtherestofthecountry,whichexperiencessummerrainfall.Ontheplusside,theSouthAfricanclimateboastsmorethanitsfairshareofsunshine,recordinganaverageof8.5hoursaday.
ClothingandDressRecommendationsSummer
Bringclothesthatarecool,lightandcomfortablebecausesummertemperaturescangetwellintothe30-40degreeCelsiusrangeinsomeareas.Alsobringanumbrellaorraincoatduringsummerasthisiswhenmostofthecountrygetsitsrain,butdon'tforgetaswimmingcostume(bathingsuit).
Winter
Thewintersaregenerallymild,comparingfavourablywithEuropeansummers.Buttherearedayswhentemperaturesdive,especiallyinhigh-lyingareassuchastheDrakensberg,sobepreparedwithjerseysandjackets.CapeTowngetsitsrainduringthewinterseasonsoit’sadvisabletobringraingearalong.
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General
Alwaysbringahat,sunglassesandsunblockasthesuncanbestrongeveninthewintermonths.
Walkingshoesareagoodideaallyear-round,withwarmsocksinthewinter.
Ifyouaredoingbusinessinthecountry,businessattire(suitandtie)isgenerallycalledforinthecorporatesector,butmediaforexamplegenerallydressmorecasually.
Forgameviewing,acoupleofneutral-toneditemswillbeuseful,butthere'snoneedtogooverboard.Agoodpairofwalkingshoesisalsoadvisable.
Fortheevening,ifyouarediningatanupmarketrestaurantorseeingashow,smart-casualattireisrecommended.
ElectricityandPlugStandardsCurrentis220/240voltsat50cyclespersecond.Athree-pointround-pinadapterplugshouldbebroughtforyourelectricalappliances-suchadaptersarealsoavailableatmajorairports..
Evolutionhasoccurredmoreorlessinisolationonthisremoteisland–located400kilometresoffAfrica’seastcoast–withtheresultthatmuchofitsindigenouswildlifeisfoundnowhereelseonearth.Madagascar’smenagerieofweirdandwonderfulcreaturesincludestheworld’sbiggestandsmallestchameleonsandover70speciesoflemur–long-tailedprimatesendemictotheisland.TheMadagascanlandscapeisnolesscompellingthantheresidentwildlife,withterrainrangingfromlushjunglesandpalm-fringedbeachestotheknife-edgedkarsttsingysoftheTsingydeBemarahaNationalPark’s‘stoneforests’.Madagascarisanotherworldlyparadisewherevisitorsareofferedauniqueglimpseintoafantasticalone-of-a-kindworld.
BankingandCurrencyCurrency
TheofficialcurrencyofMadagascarsince2005istheMalagasyAriary(MGA),whichhasbeenreintroducedtoreplacetheMalagasyfranc.OneAriary(Ar)isdividedinto5iraimbilanja,whichturnsittooneofthetwocirculatingcurrencieswithanondecimaldivisionintheworld.
Therearebanknotesof10,000MGA,5,000MGA,2,000MGA,1,000MGA,500MGA,200MGAand100MGA.Thereareevencoinsfrom1upto50Ar.Theoneof50Arisverybeautifulandhasbaobabscarvedonit.
Banking
Banksarenormallyopenfrom08h00to12h00and14h00to15h30weekdays.
Creditcards(themostusefulcreditcardisVISACARD)areonlyacceptedinlargehotels,restaurantsandsomeshops,mainlyinAntananarivo.Intheotherbigcities,youcangetcashfromAutomaticCashMachines(ATM)only
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withVISACARDS.There’snowalsoanATMattheairportinAntananarivo.Don’trelyonATMmachinesonly;theyareoftenoutoforder.KeepsomecashinEuroforemergencies.
Travel,TransportandGettingAroundMadagascarisahugeplace,theroadsarebadandtraveltimeslong:ittakes24hoursofsoliddrivingfromAntananarivo(Tana)toDiegoSuarez(Antsiranana),18toTuléar(Toliara),16toMorondavaandsoon.Berealisticabouthowmuchgroundyouwanttocoveroryou’llspendeveryotherdayintheconfinesofavehicle!
Internalflightscanbehugetimesaversbuttheyareexpensiveanddonogoodtoyourcarbonfootprint.Ifyoudecidetofly,you’llhavetochoosebetweenbookingyourflightbeforesettingoff,whichismoreexpensivebutguaranteesavailability,orbookingonceinMadagascar,whichischeaperbutlessflexibleintermsoftiming.
Taxi-brousse(bushtaxi)isthemainpublictransport:slow,uncomfortable,cheapandomnipresent.Privatevehicleanddriverisagreatbutdeareralternative.
Duetotheoftendifficultdrivingconditions,mostrentalagenciesmakehiringadrivercompulsorywiththeirvehicles.DrivinginMadagascarisontheright-handside.Policecheckpointsarefrequent(mindthetrafficspikesontheground)–alwaysslowdownandmakesureyouhaveyourpassportandthevehicle’sdocumentshandy.
Food,DrinkandCuisineAdviceMadagascar’scuisineistraditionallybasedonrice,thatareservedwithsomekindofdressings,vegetables,meatandspicyseasoning.Malagasyenjoyveryspicyfood,thereforemanydishesarepreparedwithhotpeppersoranyotherspices.Thedishesareusuallyflavoredwithgarlic,ginger,onionorcurry,whereasdessertsareflavoredwithvanilla.
Drinkingtapwaterisn'trecommendedinMadagascar.Forenvironmentalreasons,trytoavoidbuyingbottledwater.Fillareusablewaterbottleorcanteenwithfilteredwater.Mosthotelshavedrinkingwateravailable.It'salsoadvisabletoavoidiceindrinksandpeelfruitandvegetablesbeforeeating.
ClimateandWeatherAnytimeofyearisfineforavisitexceptfromJanuarytoMarch,whenheavyrainfallinmanyareascanmakesomeroadsallbutimpassable,andwhenthere’sahighriskofcyclonesintheeastandnortheast.Ingeneral,thebesttimetotravelinmostareasisAprilandOctober/November.Thecoolesttimetotravelanywhereisduringthedryseason(MaytoOctober),butduringthistimethehautsplateaux(centralhighlands;whichincludeAntananarivo)cangetcoldandwindy,withfreezingshowers.
Thewestandsouthwestgetsearinglyhotduringsummer,butthewintermonthsintheseregionsarepleasant,withblueskies,coolertemperaturesandlittlerain.MostraininthenortheastfallsfromJulytoSeptember.
Averagemaximumtemperaturesvaryfromabout30°Cincoastalareas(higherinsummer)toaround25°Conthehautsplateaux.InAntananarivoandotherhighlandareas,temperaturesduringwintercandropto10°Candevenlowerduringthenight.
ClothingandDressRecommendationsTocopewiththeMadagascanclimate,lightweightsshouldbewornduringthesummeronhighcentralplateauxandthroughouttheyearinthenorthandsouth.Cottonandnaturalfibresworkbetterinthissweatyweather.Warmerclothesareadvisedforduringtheeveningsandwinterinmountainousareas.Rainwearisadvisableasaprecaution.
ElectricityandPlugStandardsInMadagascar,thetwo-prongedplugandtheEuropeanstandardsocketarethemostusedwithatensionof220volts(butitmaygodownto170voltsinsomeareasatpeaktimes)
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