In this issue of Wanderlust magazine

June 2013 issue • On sale from 23 May

In the June issue of Wanderlust it's all about dream destinations, the places on every traveller's wishlist including...

Everest Base Camp: 60 years after the highest peak on earth was first summited, we prove you don't need to be a mountaineer to experience its magic.

African Safari: Go walking among giants in Tanzania on the ultimate safari experience.

Galapagos: Discover the wildlife and local culture on Ecuador's most famous islands both by land and sea.

Antarctica: Penguins, glaciers and endless adventure at the edge of the world.

PLUS: Get paid to travel - find out how you can see the world AND make money, instant escapes to Corsica, Sweden, the Amalfi Coast and much, much more...

Click here to subscribe and receive a FREE £50 travel voucher.


June 2013

Subscribe here >>>

Forums

This is the place for you to ask your travel questions and share your tips. To search for particular topics, go to categories and choose a relevant topic

Posts

  • 7
    Air Madagascar-safety

    Does anyone know what is going on with Air Madagascar and their safety checks? I understand they have been banned from flying in Euro airspace for safety reasons. I'm off to Madagascar soon and have internal flights booked. Have I reason to be concerned?

    Report as inappropriate
    Jill Frazier

    8 posts | 16 responses

    Posted 11 August 11

Responses

  • 1

    Wow, I wasn't aware of that. I've just been looking at this great list of banned airlines by the EU - huge swathes of Africa and the 'Stans with unsafe airlines. I flew internally with Air Madagascar in 2008 and never had any problems - they had a fleet of small ATRs which seemed pretty new. The service was good - even arriving early in one case. Out of about 5 or 6 flights only one was delayed, by about an hour. It's certainly an easier way of getting around long distances than the taxi brousses, although they are an experience...
    Where abouts are you going? I loved the place!

    Report as inappropriate
    satkinson

    56 post | 600 responses

    Posted 11 August 11
  • 2

    The FCO website says that only 2 of Air Madagascar's Boeing 767-300 planes are banned in EU airspace but the rest are fine...there's a little thing saying that the EU has concerns over safety but that's it...

    Report as inappropriate
    LaurenAmelia

    7 post | 33 responses

    Posted 11 August 11
  • 3

    Thanks Satkinson. I'm off to Andasibe, Amber Mountain, Ankarana, and ending up on a beach in Nosy Komba. I too read that list of banned aircraft, its pretty impressive isn't it? Any tips re. packing or otherwise would be greatly appreciated. 

    Report as inappropriate
    Jill Frazier

    8 post | 16 responses

    Posted 11 August 11
  • 4

    The only things I can think of are mosquito repellant and lightweight clothes! It was very hot and humid. Oh, and take Euros! We paid for a lot of stuff in Euros. Some places don't take cards, so very useful to have Euro cash with you. We nearly ran out of money a few times!
    We got a boat past Nosy Komba - it looked absolutely lovely.
    In Montagne D'Ambre make sure you get your guide to help you find the tiniest chameleons - brookesia. There is a big camp in the middle of the park and at the foot of the trees, under the grass, you can usually find them - they are amazing - less than an inch long! Look out for them everywhere though.
    In Andasibe, make sure you visit in the morning - you have more chance of seeing the indri-indri. We had a really awful guide and went in the afternoon and it was a bit pointless! We also went to Mantadia where we heard them but didn't see them. Our guide took us on two short versions of the official walks and then "charged" us the full guide price for both (they're not cheap!) and then still expected a tip on top.
    In the evenings, wherever you are, go for a walk along the roads and flash your torch at about upper body height - there will usually be a few chameleons of different types, sizes and colours clinging to the trees, sleeping. On the road along from the huts at Antasibe we saw about 7 in a 1km stretch! If you have a really powerful torch take it, as this helps night-time wildlife viewing a lot.
    Be careful with your stuff - I got my purse nicked in a national park by a guide (in Ankarafantsika) when we went ashore from a boat-ride for about 2 minutes to take photos of a chameleon - I'd left my bag on the boat with my purse inside and only realised once we'd left the boat that it was gone. When I complained to the park rangers they basically paid me off to keep quiet and not report it to the park office in nearby Majunga (which we couldn't find anyway). So just be careful - it's a poor country. Be prepared for the deforestation too, it's quite depressing :(
    But as I said, it is a wonderful country generally and I did meet some wonderful people and the lemurs and chameleons are fantastic!

    Report as inappropriate
    satkinson

    56 post | 600 responses

    Posted 11 August 11
  • 5

    Jill also look out for some of the unusual insects there. I normally have little or no interest in them but after seeing Brants guide to madagascan wildlife some really appealled, such as the flatlids which look like a white fungus until they move and my favorite the giraffe necked weavel. They were only pointed out to me as having read about them, I asked the guides. They know which plants they can be found on.

    Report as inappropriate
    treacleminer

    6 post | 57 responses

    Posted 11 August 11
  • 6

    Yes, definitely get a copy of the Bradt Madagascaar Wildlife guide - it's very good and has lots of info on some incredible things. Oh yes, just forgotten the leaf-tailed geckos - they are amazing! And the day geckos - oh, there's so many fantastic things to see! Making me want to go back...

    Report as inappropriate
    satkinson

    56 post | 600 responses

    Posted 11 August 11
  • 7

    Thanks for all the tips, I'm really grateful. Getting very excited now.

    Report as inappropriate
    Jill Frazier

    8 post | 16 responses

    Posted 11 August 11

You must be logged in to add to this post

myWanderlust

Welcome to our community

Member Login


Not a member?

Get more from Wanderlust - register today!
Sign up here

Search

Enter a region, country or destination

Find a member:

Most Popular Categories

select
select
select
select
Departure date:
Open the calendar popup.
Return date:
Open the calendar popup.
Date flexibility:
Spin UpSpin Down
Search

Need some travel planning inspiration?

Simply select the destination you’re interested in or the activities you’re looking for and we’ll send your request to a select panel of tour operators.

Each operator will respond to your request individually. Your details remain private and are not disclosed to any partners unless you decide to proceed with a booking. Enjoy!

Search
Email

Wanderlust in your inbox

Wanderlust sends out regular email newsletters – be the first to know about web exclusives, competitions, hot offers and travel jobs. Register today!





I have read and agree to the Terms & Conditions

Submit