You really have to WANT to go to Madagascar. It is not easy to get to, and more importantly, it is not easy to get around. I am pleased to report that we have unearthed some local gems and we have an excellent handle on logistics. I visited the private island resort of Miavana ahead of it’s much anticipated opening - what a beautiful, God-given locale home to never-before-explored reefs, fabulous game fishing, the ability to swim with Dolphins and have front row seat as giant prehistoric sea turtles lay their eggs or their young hatch.
The island is the new vanguard of ecotourism. Lemur experiences in Andasibe do not disappoint…the eerie early morning cry of the Indri (largest of the Lemurs) in a misty rainforest will stay with me forever.
A must-visit is the super chic beach/forest lodge of Tsara Komba. Set in the heart of an achingly beautiful archipelago, TK has Michelin quality food, a vast diversity of experiences to suit every wishlist and simply delivers the feeling that you are spending time at the personal retreat of a very wealthy friend. It is set to become a cornerstone of our itineraries.
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The second largest Wildebeest migration in Africa takes place in Zambia….and you can get a front row seat with very little human footprint around you! Allied with the migration, Zambia’s river courses offer some of the best walking Safari opportunities on the continent. The vast open plains of the north are home to an abundance of wildlife and huge prides of predatory lion. Camps like Shumba, Chinzombo and Liuwa Plains mean that luxury an fantastic in-lodge experiences are front and center as well.
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Look no further than conservation related travel. The desire to be involved in wildlife conservation efforts and related environmental platforms is growing exponentially…and the same applies to social and community efforts. I am very circumspect about selecting the platforms and programs with which we partner and would be delighted to elaborate on those at any point.
If you want to look further, then focus on the primate experiences in central Africa. Rwanda and Uganda are front and center everywhere I turn, and the demand for Gorilla trekking in particular is acute.
Finally, I can’t help myself and have to mention the exciting developments in South Africa’s cape Winelands - cult winemakers in brand new appellations experimenting with single varietals and blends allied with delightful accommodations is making this region more appealing than ever!
Darren Humphreys
TravelSommelier
www.travelsommelier.com
+1 781 934 6752 office
+1 203 919 9161 cell
darren@travelsommelier.com
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