1. As part of Miremby, you will always have a driver & guide that will be with you throughout your tour. This is something that sets us aside from other tour companies.
2. Both your guide & driver have expert knowledge of Madagascar they will always be happy to help answer any questions or if any assistance is needed they will be available to help.
3. In Madagascar the majority of hotels offer separate accommodation for the guide where they are provided with a simple meals. In many instances they do not allow the guide and driver in the restaurant and bars unless invited by the guests and prices in tourist hotel bars and restaurants are often out of their
budget. If you would like to share a meal or drink with your driver or guide please take this into
consideration.
4X4:
1. Both the guide and driver will have a first-aid kit at all times.
2. In the car there will also be the ability to charge phones - so bring a cable that one end is a USB or USB -C
3. There will be drinking water for you everyday.
Group tours are encouraged here at Miremby. We run several groups trips each season and can arrange trips for groups from 3 people upward. Each tour group will travel in a 4X4 on the smaller roads and for larger groups there is the possibility of travelling in a mini bus on the main roads. Travelling around Madagascar is always and adventure, with some travel days longer than others but you will always have chance to get out stretch your legs and watch the world go by and our guide is always on hand to point out wildlife and landscapes of interest.
On our tours often we have visits to local communities or into peoples homes. In Madagascar it is very traditional for the women to be covered, much like in other countries. Women in Madagascar wear a LAMBA, a piece of material wrapped around their waists, this serves two purposes. The first to be respectful and the second to keep their day to day clothes clean when they are cooking in the home or working out in the field. We therefore ask women to please be respectful of this tradition and wear long trousers or purchase a lamba in a local market at the start of your trip.
All of our accommodation has been hand picked by our team in Madagascar. We try and provide a range of hotels from more cost effective to luxury depending on what our clients have in mind. Accommodation standards in Madagascar can vary a lot depending on the type of tour you have picked.
OUR HOTEL RATING
1. Basic
2. Simple
3. Medium
4. First Class
5. Deluxe
We suggest bringing a soft expedition duffle bag as luggage. On occasions your luggage may be carried on the roof rack or by porters and rigid wheeled cases are not ideal for this. Brands such as Mountain Equipment or North Face are really good. They allow for large capacity but also soft and flexible bags.
These sorts of bags also come in a range of sizes. Just be aware of in-country flights and the luggage allowance. Most small flights have a maximum capacity of 20kg. This should be plenty - but if you require more there is typically the chance to pay for extra luggage. We advise you to do this prior to getting the the airport as sometimes it works out cheaper.
1. Take precautions to avoid malaria. In addition to antimalarial medication, you should also use insect repellent. There are many natural (non-DEET) repellents that work well to deter mosquitoes in Madagascar
2. Visit a travel clinic at least 6 weeks before travel to ensure you are up-to-date on all the recommended vaccinations
3. Never drink tap water. It’s not worth the risk, and bottled water will be available for purchase everywhere you travel
4. A medical kit with sweat-resistant bandages, antibacterial ointment, and hydrocortisone for insect bites. You may also want to include dehydration mixtures and blister pads if you plan to be very active.
Much of the cost of a Miremby trip is car hire and fuel. We use 4x4s and plan on 4 people per vehicle. If you want us to run a trip for you, and your group is smaller than 4, there will be an additional cost.
Similarly there may also be an additional cost for single clients joining a group tour. The hotels we use in Madagascar mostly book double rooms, therefore those nights there will be a supplement for having a single room to yourself. There is the possibility of sharing if another person books the tour and is also happy to share. In some cases triple rooms are also available.
Let us know your preference when you book.
As a conservation conscious organisation Miremby's tours are planned to avoid and minimise the internal flights. Madagascars's roads are notoriously poor but we believe this can be an advantage, forcing us to stop and explore along the route and embrace slow travel. We attempt to start and finish tours in the same location but for shorter trips this isn't always possible. We can advise on internal flights where this is necessary. We give you the flexibility of booking your own international flights whether you are flying from your home, joining us from Madagascar or from another trip. We can advise on flight options and suggest a travel agent to help you book if you wish.
When flying in Madagascar
be prepared for unpredictable delays. Air Madagascar is notorious for changing its flight schedule at the last minute. Keeping a flexible attitude is essential!
1. Madagascar’s currency is the Ariary. The exchange rate is approximately 5000 Are to the £ with and the largest bill is 20,000 Are, so be prepared to carry a significant number of bills safely in a money belt or security wallet! The ariary is not available outside of Madagascar so our Miremby guide will advise and help on obtaining local currency.
2. Although not required, tipping is a great way to show your appreciation for good service rendered in restaurants, tours, and other activities.
3. Be tolerant of begging, but don’t give to them. Instead, contribute to the local economy by handmade goods and products from local stores. Your Miremby trip will already be giving back to the local community by paying a fair and sustainable wage to all staff and using travel and hotel options that support the local economy.
1. Light-coloured and light-weight clothing. Long sleeves and long pants help deter mosquitoes, especially at night.
2. Waterproof bags for storing your electronics, especially in the rainy season.
3. Extra or rechargeable batteries– batteries for sale in Madagascar are often expensive and low-quality, and there isn’t a good system for eco-friendly disposal. Why not invest in a power-bank for charging?
4. Travel adapter - french adaptors.
5. Appropriate footwear. Although you’ll be hiking on well-maintained trails, you’ll probably be most comfortable in hiking boots.
You will be in a developing country where mobile reception and internet connections can be patchy. Plans change, and the itinerary may have to be adjusted.
1. In the majority of hotels that have been booked there is WIFI if not there is at least phone reception.
2. We suggest purchasing a Malagasy SIM card at the start of your trip. Specifically TELMA as it is the most widely used. Your guide will be able to advise you and take you to a safe seller of SIM cards.
3. After purchasing your SIM card you will have to purchase data: this comes as small cards depending on how much data you require. You will have to individually add each data card. Each data card comes with
instructions to carry out this process. Alternatively there are several websites that allow you to send data
to specific numbers. The best website we have found for this is called MOBILE RECHARGE
Miremby are here to help. Any questions, doubts or just curiosity pick up the phone or send a whatsapp message and we can help with anything you need.