Riaan Manser:
MadagasCaT Charters & Travel is proud to have been associated with this solo adventurer throughout his 5000km successful bid to become the only person to have circumnavigated Madagascar, alone and unaided, in a kayak. Of all the countries Riaan has visited Madagascar is the only one he has returned to. He and Vasti visited for a week in December 2009 and spent some happy times aboard Yacht Gecko in Nosy Be. See pics in Gallery to the right ..
For more information about this amazing man go to www.africa365.co.za.
To view some images from his time with us aboard Gecko, click here:
madagascatcharters.co.za/-Riaan.htm
"The best tour guides are the ones who have real love and respect for the land they are showing you".
Riaan Manser: Around Africa on my Bicycle.
- Earthquakes mean that whales are bathing their children.
- If a woman maintains a bending position when arranging eggs in a nest, the chickens will have crooked necks.
- If the walls of a house incline towards the south, the wife will be the stronger one; if they incline towards the north it will be the husband.
Last chance to see the aye-aye:
MadagasCaT recommends this link - BBC Earth News documentary on one of Madagascar's rarest creatures. Last chance to see the aye-aye
Facts about Madagascar:
- It covers only 0.4% of the land surface of the planet BUT is responsible for 36% of all primate families.
- It ranks in the top five of earths most threatened biodiversity hotspots.
- 274 of the 300 species of reptile in Madagascar are endemic (91%)
- 99% of the 178 species of frogs are endemic
- 80% of the estimated 12 000 species of vascular plants are endemic
- Gigantic palms that flower themselves to death and exist as part of an entirely unique genus have been discovered in Madagascar.
"Here in Madagascar I have truly found the naturalist's promised land. Nature seems to have retreated into a private sanctuary, to work on models unlike any she has created elsewhere. At every step one encounters the most strange and marvellous forms."
Joseph-Phillibert Commerson 1771
Madagascar is one of the poorest nations on earth: "One tourist is responsible for creating work and income for many people. Right from the owners of the hotels down through the hierarchy to the farmer of the fresh produce. There are no mass suppliers so many people benefit from just one meal on a hotel table."
Harriet Joao Cape Times 19/03/09
Recommended Reading:
'Bradt Guide to Madagascar'
'The Eighth Continent' by Peter Tyson
"We had a great time! It was such a hassle free holiday and all the connections were fantastic! Thanks so much for organising it at such short notice".
Janet & Hennie Roos, South Africa.
"Thank you for all your helpful information. We would have missed our connecting flight to Ile St. Marie if you hadn't advised us to tell Domestic Departures that we'd arrived.They kindly delayed the flight for us." Marthie Gardner
Top of page"The trip was fantastic and thanks to all organisation the transfers were incredibly smooth. From Liva the taxi driver to Zina our driver, through to our forest guide William and the transfers on the canals, all was perfect. The arrival at St Marie was wonderful, sunset ride across to the Beach House with our guides Livapool and Flurio working the pirogue".
Louise Almon, April 2010
"The trip (charter) was a fantastic success.
The highlights were the meals on board which were 10 star, the snorkelling, island hopping and the fishing. What a great honeymoon.
As a last note, the skipper (Albert) and the cook and the deck hands were fantastic.
With kind regards".
Warren & Jenny Watkins, May '09
"I have to compliment you greatly on the level of professionalism and efficiency displayed. Throughout our trip it was so evident that you had done your utmost to think of everything. There are not many companies who can honestly say they have mastered this art! This was truly the most wonderful holiday we have ever had. Thank you again, you are all very special people".
Sharlene Van der Slikke, August '09
ARTICLE in STRATUS In-flight magazine - long informative article about MadagasCaT and Madagascar, by Harriet Joao.
ARTICLE on Madagascar Coup, from Sunday Times, April 5th 2009
www.legacyyachtsales.co.za
Riaan Manser's website
www.durrell.org/Conservation/Where-we-work/Madagascar
- conservation efforts on endangered species by Gerald Durrell.
www.wildmadagascar.org - Madagascar's wildlife, parks, people and history.
www.madikwe.com - Luxury accommodation in the Bushveld of Africa.
www.mongabay.com - informative site on environmental and ecological issues, mostly centered on Madagascar.
Madagascar Travel Guide - the most comprehensive online travel guide about Madagascar.