Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

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20 Reviews

4.5 out of 5

Laura Davey

Reviewed October 2018

Life changing and unforgettable experience

This was a truly life-changing trip. By that I mean, it was an experience of many extreme highs, such as seeing the unique and beautiful wildlife, coupled with being witness to some very difficult scenes, such as the slash and burn practice and huge areas of deforestation.

The trip has left me wanting to learn more about this incredible country, its people and its wildlife. Would very much like to visit again and investigate further into the issues this country is clearly facing.

This is a very special country and any visitor will be rewarded in many ways.

Most Inspirational Moment

The wildlife was what I booked the trip for and it did not disappoint. I had no idea we would see so many species of lemurs, reptiles, birds, plants and trees insects and frogs and at such close range, we really were so very lucky. I cannot underestimate just how special it felt to witness these incredible endemic species in their (rapidly disappearing) habitat. The call of the indri is a sound that I will never, ever forget. I feel inspired to learn more and find out if there is any way in which I can help contribute to the future of this country, as the people and the native plants and animals are facing some very severe challenges, such as a hugely increasing population, rapid loss of habitat moved over to farming, shaky political leadership, the introduction of non-native species of animals, trees and plants that cannot support native wildlife, and the slash and burn agricultural practice.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Vola was really lovely. She kept us safe, listened to feedback, was flexible with timings and programmes and informed us on any queries and questions we had as best she could. At times, she went above and beyond for her clients, giving massages to one guest who was suffering from back and shoulder pain, and taking another client to the dentist for emergency treatment. She was also fun to be around and made us laugh every day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with an open mind, and be prepared to see the mass destruction of the environment which you will definitely witness. Bear in mind, this is a very poor country and life here is hard. Saying that, the people were all very warm and welcoming to the small number of tourists that we saw. We never ever felt threatened or anything other than welcome. This is what makes the environment/humanity inbalance so very difficult to bear witness to, as the people are just as amazing as the flora and fauna that most visitors come to see. We found the physical rating of 1 to be misleading, I would say there are some moderate to strenuous hikes on this tour. Bring camera, binoculars, insect repellent and some detergent to wash clothes. Accommodation and food were excellent, much better than we expected.

Charlotte Grant

Reviewed October 2018

Madagascar is great, unique & marvelous but one needs to be very fit to enjoy this amazing adventure

The trip is rated as leisurely & I would rate it challenging. We had extremely long travel days in the vehicles on winding bumpy roads (5 hr, 6 hr, 11 hr, etc.) The trip notes advise some long days, but we weren’t expecting such challenges just traveling in the van; our muscles were all tensed up by the end of each drive. The hiking to get to the Lemurs requires a person to be very fit in order to scramble up steep banks, cross streams, climbing steps up & down, & bushwhacking for 4 hrs at a time. It would be helpful to put this information in the ‘Is this trip for you’ section

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment was getting so close to the lemurs, we could practically touch them. We had the joy of watching a number of different groups for long periods times. I have tracked the mountain gorillas & traveled all over the world, but have never been in such a unique country. Ever day was filled with adventure & excitement & new destinations. It took a lot of effort & challenge to do this trip, but at the end of the day it was totally worth it. Go now before it gets to filled with Tourists.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was Vola & she was excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes carefully & be in very good physical condition so you can enjoy every moment of this amazing country.

Karen Butler

Reviewed September 2018

Great trip to see Lemurs

Loved the trip, great country, great people, great guide and great wildlife

Most Inspirational Moment

Lemur island, loved the fact that the country was supporting the re-introduction of "pet" lemurs back into the wild, great experience

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mel was fantastic, I couldnt find fault if I tried !!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Many early starts and long road trips but well worth it.

Steve Gilbert

Reviewed October 2017

Wow, Wonderful Place and Excellent Holiday

I travelled there with some expectations regarding wildlife especially. These were exceeded.
I was amused, impressed and very pleased at the number of wildlife sightings and especially the great opportunities I had for some brilliant wildlife photography.

Most Inspirational Moment

There was no single moment I can identify. It was each occasion we went for a walk and encountered the Lemurs and Reptiles. Through the choice alone of the Lemus and Chameleons we got very close on more than one occasion. I will emphasise this was the animals choice not mine. Brown & Ring Tailed Lemurs can approach up to an arms length away. I didn't get bitten but I was wary. But it was exciting!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rija was one of the most enthusiastic and happy tour leaders I have had the pleasure of travelling with. Not only was she informative and organised she was also an expert wildlife spotter. She had an ability to spot something, when all we could see was undergrowth. I distinctly remember the rare 4 inch chameleon in the dark that she spotted from 10 paces when actually it was under a large leaf? I've never travelled with a leader equipped with xray infrared vision before, but I have now.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The tour company was good and supplied bottled water every day. Don't throw away the bottles. They are a desired commodity to the people in the hills and they are very happy when you hand over the empties for them to put their local produce in, honey, oil or similar. You may like to hand over other stuff too but the children can get a bit boisterous so choose your moment carefully if its something for them. Dont forget the adults, they are poor too. In a couple of areas during September it got chilly in the evening, please remember a light fleece or jumper.

Eve Doyle

Reviewed June 2017

A Great Experience

This was an excellent trip. Very well organised. Madagascar is a huge island and there are some long travel days to get across the country. Very varied environments and we saw lots of different wildlife.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being close to , seeing and hearing the Indri Lemurs was a very special experience. My favourite day was the walk in Isalo National Park.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rija was one of the best guides I have ever had. Her local knowledge was amazing. She had done this trip many times and she knew how to make it run smoothly, sometimes in difficult circumstances. Despite her experience she was still really enthusiastic about everything and made the trip really enjoyable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take walking poles if you usually walk with them. It was torrential rain in the Rainforest and I could have done with my full set of waterproof clothing and back pack cover. I should have taken a warmer jumper as well as my fleece. The hotel at Isalo offered washing very cheaply and we got all our wet and muddy Rainforest clothing washed and dried there. Change all your money at the airport on arrival and when you go back through later. The ATMs [we had two opportunities] may only allow you to change around £50. Those who did try and change money at the bank had to queue around 2 hours to be served!! No where took cards. Be prepared for the unexpected...no electricity, no running water, hold ups, bumpy roads, changes of time, unexpected encounters with local people etc

Sean Williams

Reviewed November 2016

Highlights of Madagascar

This was a really enjoyable trip. Although the group was the maximum (16 people) and the bus could be a bit cramped at times, it worked really well. The trip used a local driver and guide both of whom were excellent (Ritza and Andree) and in particular Ritza was able to inform us about the wildlife and different aspects of the culture of Madagascar. The other guides used in the national parks and at the accommodation were also very good. Madagascar is an amazing place and the range of landscapes and wildlife is extremely varied. I also found the local people to be very friendly.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many highlights including the following: 1. Hearing the early morning cries of the Indri lemurs in Andasibe. 2. Seeing mouse lemurs and the rainforest in Ramofana. 3. Seeing ring tailed lemurs very close. 4. The amazing landscapes and the "black pool" at Isalo. 5. Travelling to and from Nosy Ve by a traditional dhow. 3. The welcome given to us by the villagers when our bus broke down and we had a 90 minute delay while Andree fixed the bus.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ritza was excellent. She was very friendly, enthusiastic and approachable throughout the trip and gave some very good talks on the bus on Madagascan life. The dealt with the bus breaking down crisis brilliantly and got the ladies on our trip dancing with the villagers.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some long drives on some poor roads (although most of the roads outside the Tana to Fianarantsoa section were fairly decent) but that is realistically the only way to see the number of attractions which are covered by this trip. The accommodation was very good throughout but I would try and although the food was generally fine I would try and eat outside the hotels whenever possible. The town close to Isalo has an amazing pizza restaurant about 200 yards from the hotel.

Geoffrey Vaughan

Reviewed October 2015

Highlights of Madagascar

The trip gives a good insight into the exotic fauna and flora of Madgascar and into several of the “cottage” industries that have been set up, mainly to provide items for the tourist trade. The trip involves many hours of travelling on roads that are in many cases badly surfaced, even when classifies as a “Route National” – this is not a trip for those that don’t like long coach journeys! The arrangements were very good and the hotels, in the main, excellent though facilities were quite varied.

Most Inspirational Moment

Obviously the wildlife was the main highlight: lemurs, chameleons and geckos were all fabulous. The range of species, colours, habits etc were constantly fascinating. If I had to pick one moment, however, it would be the chameleon catching an insect - so fast, so accurate, a great sight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Elodoie was a great tour leader - full of enthusiasm and always wanting to tell us more about the island, its people, language and way of life - as well as the animals and flora.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for long coach journeys: make sure you have insect repellent and malaria prophylaxis: good walking boots/shoes are essential. I found poles very useful.

Richard Broughton

Reviewed June 2015

Highlights of Madagascar

I great trip to see the centre and South of Madagascar with plenty of changing landscapes and Limurs in the forests. The island in the South was uniquely beautiful, but unfortunately a bus heavy trip was made much worse by the cancellation of internal flights adding another 23 hours to the time spent on a bus.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Ranohira national park had fantastic canyons and sandstone features. It was a shame we did not walk longer here.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was highly knowledgeable in all areas and managed to return us safely to Antananarivo safely even when the internal flights were cancelled.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is really a lot of bus travel on this trip, even the city tour on the last day involves 60km of bus ride. Be careful about changing money back at the airport as we were tricked. The exchange only had 50 euro or 20 dollar notes so simply rounded up all the local money to an exchange rate in his favour essentially robbing us.

Kay Roantree

Reviewed September 2014

Highlights of Madagascar

There were only six of us on the trip so this was a real bonus. It meant that we had lots of room in the minibus and when being guided around we could spend a long time viewing the wildlife. Saw more than was mentioned in the trip notes and spent longer in the national parks as being a small group we all agreed on what we wanted.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing lemurs in their natural environoment. Snorkelling on Nosy Ve

Thoughts on Group Leader

The holiday was really well organised by our tour leader Armel. He even worked on days when he really did not have to as when we had free time he still guided us around the towns. He was enthusiastic about finding lemurs and making sure we could all get a good view of them. Great tour leader enthusiasic and knowledgeable about the country and wildlife. He spoke excellent English and always wanted to make our holiday as enjoyable as possible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is a lot of driving but the days are broken up with visits to national parks, so not as onerous as it sounds in the notes. However the last few days from leaving the beach to arriving home is very tiring and for a couple of days there was not much to see in Tulear and Antananarivo

Nancy nancy

Reviewed September 2014

Marvellous Madagascar!

A really varied trip with the opportunity to see several different areas of Madagascar; the gorgeous beaches, some beautiful national parks and delightful lemurs and chameleons!

Most Inspirational Moment

The range of lemur species that we were privileged to see interacting in the wild and swinging in the trees! I was surprised how close they came to us, allowing for some fantastic photo opportunities!

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was a native Madagascan so was able to give us a real insight into his country. He was also very eager to ensure that everyone had a positive experience and nothing was ever too much trouble... Having received the groups details before the trip began he'd even arranged some birthday surprises (a band and a cake) for one of the group members.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was colder than I expected in the north, particularly at night - pack plenty of warm clothes for this part of the trip. And be prepared for crowds/chaos when you arrive - no one seems to queue for their entry visa!

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