PRIVATE PARK OF IVOLOINA

A lot of  people have already heard about Madagascar and its beauty, and many have already had the chance to see this island of wonders. For special holidays in Madagascar, it is a great idea to visit Ivoloina park, a place that will please you that you will want to get back there someday.

In a big forest station 12 km from Toamasina, you will discover some wonderful things in the heart of the forest. On the way to Ivoloina, you will see an incredible landscape that is breathtaking. If you get there, prepare yourself to sommunicate with nature, forget about all your stress, you are in holidays and you will leave Madagascar with a great memory. Actually, this is a botanical park and a zoo. A park that covers 282 ha, this place has gathered the animals which are confiscated by the government because of smuggling. These are lemurs, tortoises, reptiles, and they are captive.Some of these are also species that are endangered, the Prolemur simusare among that.

If you are those people who like staying up at night, you can meet many nocturnal lemurs such as Aye Aye, Microcèbus the smallest specie of lemur, and other lemurs, and red frogs. Just do not forget to bring you torch to have the pleasure to see their faces.

If you are ready for an adventure in a beatiful place, you will not be disapointed, as you will discover many things in a park like Ivoloina. You may want to visit Madagascar for a tour guide next time, you may want to visit another place, but Ivoloina will be an unforgetable memory for you, this place is so incredibly beautiful!

SUNNY AND WONDERFUL BEACH FOR CHRISTMAS

What about getting rid of the same old routine we’re used to living with? Christmas and the New Year are coming, these are indeed good occasion to leave in holidays in a good, sunny, tropical country and forget about snow and its frizzing breeze.

Let us introduce you a new destination which we think helps lots of travellers to find their happiness: Madagascar.

Madagascar is the fourth biggest island in the world and nicknamed as the eight continents or the continent-island. Located about 400 km from the big Africa, the big island is somehow spoiled by nature. Indeed, apart from the several species of Fauna and flora which are mostly endemic to the island such as the Lemurs, Geckoes, Butterflies, Frogs, Birds, Chameleons, Orchids, Palms (ravinala) and the great Baobabs, Madagascar is also gifted by some 5000 km of beautiful whitened wild beaches. From South to the North or East to the West, wherever you’ll go to, your trip will end by a marvellous wild beach.

In the North of Madagascar, after a long tour inland, travellers can spend some couples of days in some sea resorts like, Nosy Be and its archipelago (Nosy Komba, Nosy Iranja, Nosy Sakatia…) which is now recognised by the world as one of the most wonderful sea spot in the planet. Lots of interesting maritime activities are practised in these places such as Fishing, Surfing, Kite surf, wind surf, diving and scuba… This is in order to satisfy all kind of travellers.

In the South, after a long route along the famous national 7, travellers will have couple of choices to beautifully end their trip. At Anakao which is a peninsula at some minute boat from Tulear, white sandy beach, with fewer fishier men villages, perfect for diving. At Ifaty, the Laguna is just perfect for a farniente and relax. About a couple of hours from Tulear, Northward, one would enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches in Madagascar if not in the world: Salary, Ankasy, Ampasilava and Andavadoaka. 

In the East, travellers can enjoyes some unforgettable stay at the Island of the Pirates, Nosy Boraha or Sainte-Marie. That islet is recognized by the beauty of its seascapes and its colourful fishes that reign under the water. But from July till September, Sainte-Marie is just the perfect places for people who want to observe the Cetaceans and enjoye a Whale Safari. Indeed, these big mammals give birth in the warm Indian Ocean in these periods and provide some marvellous, incomparable moments to travellers when the Mothers teach their baby whales to jump over the sea. For information, it’s possible to get closer to enjoy the spectacle.

In the West of the island, after discovering one of the Wonders of the world (the Avenue of the Baobabs and the Tsingy of Bemaraha), travellers can go to Kimony beach which is the most frequented beach in that part. Just perfect for a farniente and relax.

A discovery travel in Madagascar cann’t just be performed without finishing at one of these places and is not complete unless you discover one of them...

The whole team of Lulu Tours Madagascar is hoping that this article will help you decide on where you should go this coming Christmas and welcome 2015!

MADAGASCAR at I.O.R.A or Indian Rim Association

On the 20th of  November 2014, Madagascar joined the Indian Ocean Rim Association in Seychelles. This year the main theme was "Tourism & Travel in IORA" during the ministerial meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

Malagasy delegation led by the Minister of Tourism, RAMANANTSOA Ramarcel Benjamina has been in Seychelles for 2 days to attend the meeting. The purpose of this meeting was to share knowledges and information that will contribute significantly to the future growth of the tourism industry in the Member States of the IORA.

In fact, "the vision expressed by the Head of State in January 2014, resulted in the EMP is to make tourism a key sector for economic growth, inclusive development and the fight against poverty.

The ministerial meeting discussed the outlook for emerging markets and the need for networking to increase competitiveness and market promotion "tourism and travel" in the Indian Ocean.

Other topics were discussed, such as the maximization of regional development through sustainable tourism, green tourism, bridging the gap between tourism policies and aviation, air connectivity between the islands and tourism development cruise in the Indian Ocean.

Madagascar currently has document recovery of this sector that the Ministry of Tourism officially presented in July. Driving in consultation, and an interdepartmental approach, it aims to provide better service to users.

People working in the field of tourism will have better work conditions, according to the expectations and needs of the sector. Many conditions are necessary to ensure the quality, employment and tourism development in Madagascar.

Thus, the Ministry of Tourism increases cooperation with partners and other countries to implement the guidelines of this strategy. That was one reason why Madagascar took part in this ministerial meeting IORA. Tourism agents like Tours operators, Travel agencies, Hotels, restarants and others, in the continent-island just hope that positive results will be generated by that meeting to bring high the Tourism in Madagascar.

NATIONAL PARK OF ANKARAFANTSIKA

Life should be full of fun, it is so good to feel alive! Discoveries of new place and trips make life more exciting. For a private tour in Madagascar, a park located in the west part of this country is an interesting destination: Ankarafantsika. Acually, it is 450 from Antananarivo the capital, and 114 km from Mahajanga. A wide park that covers 135 000 ha. Ankarafantsika has its wonders and treasures, only waiing for people to discover.

For those who like camping and sleeping under stars, it is the right place! Ankarafantsika is also for those who love trekking, it is the best place for that! If you are those bight owls, you can have night tours to encounter nocturnal animals such as lemurs or other animals that may impress you. During the night and in the dawn, you will hear these animals shrieking everywhere, you will have free ticket for a free show! Just listen and guess who’s making noise!

In fact, this park is sheltering the smallest species of lemur in the world, the Microcebus that is typically nocturanl, but you may meet them by chance in the daylight. Prepare your feet for a trekking if you want to discover all the beauiful things in this park, and do not forget to bring camera! Lemurs like Dredrika,  Matavirambo are found there. These are endemic species of lemurs. I is very probable that you will meet the Acrantophis madagascariensis or “Do” in Malagasy, a snake having a length of up to 3 m. Many species of birds are also living in this area, and some of them are endemic species.

Apart from animals, many species of plants and trees are found in the park. The bottle trees or Baobab, ebony tree, and many interesting trees can be found in Ankarafantsika. your choice to come there will not be a mistake, but just the right one!

AMBOHIMANGA HILL, WORLD WONDER OF UNESCO

Do you want to have fun and learn about Madagascar history at the same time? Antananarivo is the best place for you to visit. It is the capital of Madagascar. For an unforgetable holiday, Antananarivo or Tanà is waiting for you, the town of many surprises and discoveries! If you want to learn about some histories of Madagascar, it is the right place to visit, as it the place where malagasy civilisation was actually born.

Let us explore a little bit a very special place located in Tanà. At about 24 km from Tanà is located Ambohimanga, one of the 12 sacred hills that surround this big capital. The name “Ambohimanga “means “the blue hill”, it was the ancient city of a powerful kingdom. For a strategic reason it’s located on the top of the hill, so that people can see it from all the villages around. You will learn more about the history if you get there, many things of a great wonder that cannot all be told with words, your eyes need to see to enjoy it!

Ambohimanga is a sacred place, people go there on pilgrimage and for cult or just for a visit and the intake of porks is highly forbidden since it is considered as a “dirty” and profanatory animal. This is an important detail for all the people who want to get there. This place is a royal burial site that is why some people come there to ask blessing from ancestors, that is for some Malagasy people who believe that died kings and queens bless those who worship them. This place is classified as one of Unesco world heritage. If you ever come to the “blue hill” you will be amazed, surprised. This is of course a non missable excursion while travelling in Madagascar.

GO TO MADAGASCAR IN CHRISTMAS

December is drawing near. The month that makes people think about holidays, Christmas, festivities, snow and of course presents. What if this time, the present was a trip? That would be a nice idea!

To ski must be exciting, watching snowfall is beautiful, but spending December holidays in the sun is something that sounds better. Forget a little a bit about snow, low temperature with frost and let us explore a country where you will have to let gloves and warm jackets down, and instead, wear light clothes during the whole holidays. Just go to Madagascar! You will forget that somewhere in the other part of the world, it is snowing.

Surrounded by sea, the Indian Ocean in the East, the Mozambique canal in the West, Madagascar is an island of beauty, an amazing place of wonders. In December, nature is alive in Madagascar. Trees are green, as it is raining mostly in this month, but Chritmas magic will not be spoiled. There are a lot of thing to discover that will promise you no end of pleasant surprise and fun. If you think you would like to see the greenest area in Madagascar, you would better choose to go the East part, an evergreen landscape is waiting for you to admire there.

If you have already heard about the famous tree called “Baobab” or “bottle tree”, you may want to see that in person, this is the high time!  In fact, Madagascar has got 6 species of this tree that are all endemic. Morondava is the perfect destination for people interested in seeing “bottle tree”. Madagascar has other places that are all interesting and worth seeing, just make the right choice about what really interests you the most; you will not be deceived at all!

RELAXING IN FOULEPOINTE MADAGASCAR

Life is a race. Sometimes you need to stop a little bit and do some escape in order to enjoy living. You want to go to a place where you will not have to think about work even just for few days, you need some relaxing time, you need to feel alive and forget about the war going on in some part of the planet. You should come to visit places such as Madagascar, where life is still quiet and where one can enjoy holidays. Indeed, some vacations in Madagascar would help you to get rid of the stress that everyday routine provides. As an Island, Madagascar is surrounded by some thousands of kilometers of wonderful beaches. In this post we'are gonna introduce you the beach of “Foulpointe”. This is a great opportunity for you to discover how much to be alive is so amazing, you will see things that are all fascinating!

Actually, Foulpointe or “Mahavelona” in Malagasy is an area located in the big district of Toamasina. It is 60 km from there. Between Toamasina and Foulpointe, beautiful landscapes are waiting for those who are ready for a new discover, between sea and nature. Immagine you're driving along a road between green and blu. Bringing a camera is the thing not to forget! Take a little break and get out of the car at Ambodiatafana, you may change your mind and stay there! But Foulpointe is not far from there, it is more incredible than mind can imagine! The most beautiful thing to discover is the beach, a picturesque place, where you can admire the sunrise if you get there early in the morning.

When talking about the beach, it is a great pleasure to have a canoe ride, and discover many treasure of the sea, such as starfish, sea urchin, sea serpent… The kind of visit that is so unique in lifetime! Apart from the beach, it is good to learn about the story of this place, a visit at “Mandan’ny Foulpointe” will not be a waste of time. For unforgetable holidays, Foulpointe is a place worthvisiting!

THE NATIONAL PARK OF BEMARAHA | THE TSINGY

For Christmas holidays, having a litlle escape is a good idea to discover a new place. For people who wants to spend christmas in a place where it never snows in December, Madagascar is a good one. For a great discovery, run some kilometers from the capital and go to the west part of Madagascar, you will find the famous “Tsingy du Bemaraha” a national park. It was declared World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1990. This site is a sort of mountain of limestone. A great place like in postcards.

When talking about the Tsingy, there is an image of a mountain having needles sharp.This place has the most amazing landscape in Madagascar. It is said that this place was the shelter of the first occupants of Madagascar the “vazimba” long time ago. Now it's become a place where people come to offer worship to the ancestors. The “Tsingy du bemaraha” has an area of 15200 ha, classified amongst the widest protected site in Madagascar. Sheltering many lemurs, terrestrial and aquatic birds, and other animals such as bats, reptiles and amphibians.

Regarding the flora, the Tsingy has a special vegetation. A dense dry deciduous forest and many species of plants. About 650 species are listed there. Discovering this site must be an experience which is unforgetable and unique in life, each landscape will be a good memory engraved in mind forever. There is no such a place elsewhere! For those who love adventures, the best thing to do is to explore this place, they will never be disappointed. They would better get prepared for surprise and fun!

Isalo National Park the so-called "Colorado of Madagascar"

For your next holidays especially for this coming christmas, to have a trip is just a good idea. It is nice to go to a place where everything is white, full of snow. However the discovery of a new place is more exciting. Madagascar is a country where it never snows December, instead, it rains but the sun is always there, early in the morning to greet everyone. Spending some Holidays in Madagascar will be an unforgetable experience of a whole lifetime. Some tour in the south part of Madagascar will create a good memory, a lot of surprise and new discovery are waiting to take breath away. Isalo will  give you the best present for christmas.

Actually, Isalo is one of the most visited beauty spot in Madagascar. Located in the south, it belongs to Ranohira town in the district of Ihorombe. For wild nature lovers, it is the ideal place to visit, breathtaking landscape is waiting for them there. Isalo park covers 81 540 ha, a site that is sheltering many animals of different species, such as the Pseudocossyphus bensoni, the blackbird that is endemic. This bird is barely found elsewhere. During rainy season, the  endemic frog called Boophis albilabris occidentalis can be found around the waterfall “Cascade des nymphes”. Apart from that, you will not miss the lemurs if you go to Isalo park, there are nocturnal and diurnal species.

For those who aprreciate the flora more than animals when they visit such a place, they will not be disappointed. Isalo park has more than 400 species of plants, a wide variety of wonders, endemic plants and palms.The Aloes isaloensis, the palm which is typically of Isalo called “satrana” in Malagasy, and other amazing plants can be found there. Isalo is an incredible place!