Discover Madagascar's wild and natural side
IAN STALKER
Got to love those lemurs!
NARAT is promoting Madagascar, the large island nation found off the east coast of southern Africa, and the country’s unusual wildlife is seen as a prime draw.
And NARAT spokeswoman Renata Snidr says that wildlife and other tourism attributes make Madagascar the sort of destination that is compatible with NARAT’s world view.
“NARAT has an established reputation for unique and experiential tour products,” she says. “Madagascar is as unique as travel destinations come. Within the island thrives a pristine landscape with flora and fauna endemic to the country. The Island may be considered one of the ‘last frontiers’ for exploration, with an abundance of authentic beauty to which an imprint of commercial tourism has not yet been left. The destination is new to Canadian travel consumers who have already become enamoured with Africa. It is arguably, amongst Africa’s must-visit travel destinations, and we believe it is a good time to introduce it to the market due to the growing popularity of the continent.”
Madagascar’s isolated location has lead to its having unique features, including its being the only home for lemurs, the mammals with the distinctive ringed tails.
But Snidr adds that not all of Madagascar’s appeal results from Mother Nature.
“Having unique otherworldly natural landscapes and unique wildlife are what has popularized Madagascar,” she reports. “It is the biggest draw to visit the country. However, the country has rich kaleidoscope of cultures, that blend tradition and Old World influences. The capital Antananarivo melds its French and traditional heritages to present an evocative island experience. A plethora of towns display rich cultures that may equal the amazing wildlife experiences travellers seek. The beaches, though part of its landscape, are also amongst the most stunning in the world.
“Madagascar is very different in culture and nature from other African countries, hewn from its isolation from the mainland. It is not a destination that you will go to encounter the ‘Big Five’ in the bush,which is predominant with African safari trips. Rather you encounter unique mammals such as lemurs and fossa in rainforests, and traverse breathtaking baobab and tsingy landscapes. The experience is just as magical, if not more so, as a safari on the mainland. You also get to stay in forest lodges throughout the country with your wildlife experiences.”
Despite that, Snidr says is largely unknown to many and NARAT is hosting a special fam program that will allow agents to discover this unique destination. The program which operates Nov. 4-14, includes return flights from Toronto, all meals, stays in deluxe hotels and rainforest lodges, wildlife encounters and cultural experiences. The tour is escorted from Canada and connecting flights from other Canadian cities are available at a supplement.
The fam cost is US$2,350 plus flight tax and one companion per agent is allowed. To receive a detailed itinerary and application, email [email protected] or call 1-877-296-2728.
