Madagascar at its best

  Great way to discover Madagascar with the kids - We book a family tour with kids (8 and 9). We went did Antananarivo, Baobab alley, Kirindy, Kivalo and Antasibe. Everything was perfect. The guides were very kind and professionnal,... read more all the accomodations booked were amazing. The whole family had a great time. The organization was flawless, we highly recommend !

  Good Introduction to Malagasy History and Delicious, Too!  - We were short on time for a Tana visit, and this itinerary was a perfect fit for an historical overview. We were picked up by our driver / guide,... read more Didi, and started with Ambohimanga, the summer palace. One of us had been there before, and this guide, Noro, gave a similar description, but didn't speak English as clearly as a previous guide, Emma. Amazing perspective on the life of King Andrianampoinimerina.

Next stop, after a challenging drive, which Didi handled well, was lunch at Café de la Musee at Musee de la Photo. Delicious! Included in our ticket price were 2 or 3 courses depending upon the chosen main dish and everything was very tasty with generous portions. The beetroot sorbet was a very pleasant surprise!

We had high expectations for the photography museum and the photo quality was excellent. The experience would have been enhanced if we had been able to choose the English commentary for the slide shows.

Last stop was the Queen's Palace. John, our guide, was very good. We appreciated the exterior tour around the site before entering the palace, and he did a good job explaining the lives and legacies of the kings, queens and prime minister.

The day was a bit long for some of us (8 AM - 5 PM), but it was a great overview of what is unique about Madagascar. Along the way Didi helped by explaining about current events and living in Tana. Very good!

  Excellent trip planning and great guides  - The planning of our trip to Madagascar was excellent. We liked the proposed hotels a lot. Changes in flight schedules were proactively managed.
The guides and drivers were excellent.... read more We received a warm welcome from Roberto.
It was a pleasure to have the company of Nirina in the South. He shared his knowledge about the country, the customs and the fauna and flora. Always kind and respectful.
In the East and the capital city we learned a lot more from Herijaona.
Besides some stomach issues we had a wonderful trip.

  Awesome trip!  - I definitely recommend it! Everything was organized to every detail and the ride to the parks were worth every penny. The driver himself and all the guides were kind and... read more professional. Go for it!

  Excellent Dadamanga - The Dadamanga team are excellent. Choice of guide 'Fanu' was exemplary. Brilliant trip, well organised and professionally executed. Beautiful Madagascar makes you want to return time after time.

  Amazing - I just finished my 6 day trip from Toliara to Tana with Dadamanga and I couldn't have had a better experience. Tsiory was not only an excellent professional, he went... read more out of his was to make sure I was always comfortable and was very flexible when I had stomach problems on the road. I could not recommend Tsiory, and Dadamanga, enough to anyone thinking about exploring Madagascar, I will definitely contact him when I come back to visit.

  Thank you Dadamanga! - Communication was 5/5. They provided itineraries and messaged us along the way to make sure everything was going well. The accommodations and logistics were all great. The staff was very... read more kind and helpful. When we come back we will absolutely work with Dadamanga again. Thank you everyone, especially Tojo!

  Do yourselves a favor—if you’re planning a trip to Madagascar, plan it with Dadamanga! - We are a couple in our late fifties, fulfilling a lifelong dream to visit Madagascar for 30 days.
For our convenience, we chose November 2024 as the travel date. Our... read more main interest is zoological—not limited to lemurs and birds but also including reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods. Naturally, we also wanted to incorporate scenic views, relaxing beaches, and encounters with Malagasy culture and art. After extensive research, including reading articles, listening to podcasts, and searching online, we decided to approach Dadamanga, which seemed like the best company to meet our needs.
Having prior travel experience, we understand that the most valuable resource in any trip is our time and the effort required to create the opportunity for such an experience. For this reason, we believe that almost any investment to maximize this window of opportunity is worthwhile. It was therefore important for us to have comprehensive support and a local office that could assist with any issues. The bottom line: we returned home satisfied and full of incredible experiences, summarizing our trip as nothing less than wonderful!
There is no doubt that Brett and the entire Dadamanga team played a significant role in this, and we are happy to share a few examples:
Trip Planning:
Even when we thought we knew what we wanted, it turned out there were many aspects we hadn’t considered or understood. Dadamanga certainly knew what to take into account, which was immediately evident in their planning and the email exchanges between us. It is worth noting that they never grew tired of answering our questions, explaining things, or revising the itinerary again and again. Later, when it became clear that some reserves would be closed on certain dates, they didn’t hesitate to help rebuild an important part of the itinerary. Alongside this, we received detailed guidance, recommendations, and instructions on how to navigate Madagascar and prepare for the trip—even down to how much of a tip is customary in various places.
On-the-Ground Support:
Arriving in a foreign and unfamiliar place can be daunting. Meeting a friendly face like Roberto, who immediately helped us with everything, was priceless! From exchanging currency to getting to the hotel and arranging dinners, everything was handled seamlessly. This was just the start of a month during which we were almost always accompanied by a company representative who guided, translated, explained, and mediated our experience.
Problem Solving:
This might be the most important point! Problems almost always arise, and they are not easy to solve, especially in developing countries. The difference between part of the trip falling apart and a smooth continuation lies in the company’s ability to assist and handle issues. Dadamanga excels in this!
For example, we were staying at a hotel in a small town after a week in the jungle. The next morning, we were scheduled to fly with Madagascar Airlines back to the capital to continue our trip. This flight, which operates only once a week, was critical for our itinerary. Unknown to us, the airline had canceled the flight on short notice. Who knew? Dadamanga did!
For some reason, we had no cell phone reception, but Brett didn’t give up. He contacted the hotel where we were staying, asking them to notify us of the issue and have us get in touch with him as soon as possible. After explaining the situation, we calmly continued with our dinner while Brett and his team worked tirelessly on phones and emails to find a solution. A few hours later, they provided us with updated options. We chose to join a charter flight with several other travelers. Dadamanga’s team booked our tickets, coordinated payment with the charter company, provided the pilot’s name and personal phone number, and arranged an early transfer to the airport to ensure we were among the first to arrive—just in case there was high demand for this “rescue flight.”
This level of responsible and caring service not only saved our itinerary but also allowed us to remain relaxed while they handled the necessary arrangements. There’s simply no substitute for this kind of support!
Later in the trip, there were additional smaller issues that Rado, our driver, managed and resolved effectively. For example, when a two-day blockage occurred on the main road, Rado found an alternative route through villages, once again keeping us on schedule.
Availability:
Throughout the trip, we had access to support from the office, company representatives, and Brett himself. This wasn’t just helpful for specific issues; the reassurance of having someone available at all times was incredibly comforting.
Criticism:
So, what could have been better? Honestly, very little. However, we did face some challenges understanding the breakdown of costs, particularly when comparing different accommodation options. Additionally, when we specifically requested a certain hotel (which, in hindsight, was a mistake on our part), Dadamanga didn’t warn us against it. This ended with us moving the next day to the original hotel Dadamanga had recommended.
Conclusion:
Do yourselves a favor—if you’re planning a trip to Madagascar, plan it with Dadamanga!

  Dadamanga were 1st class! - Dadamanga were 1st class

Great, prompt and proactive Communication and recommendations

Would highly recommend to anyone travelling to Madagascar

We went to the west coast,... read more Andasibe, Nosy Be and spent a day in Tana - all fabulous