MADAGASCAR TRAIL - MADAGASCAR

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We start our horse riding holiday in Madagascar in the rainforest, observing the lemurs and listening to their magical song in the morning. On this portion we use thoroughbred and cross horses and stay in a good lodge. Next we embark on an 8 day riding safari across the savannah to the remote geographical centre of Madagascar. Here we ride native local horses and our accommodation is under canvas. This riding holiday gives riders the chance to appreciate the abundance of rare and exotic species many of which are only to be found in Madagascar and get very far off the beaten track. Riding terrain includes rainforests, volcanic regions with crater lakes, hot springs, waterfalls and traditional villages. There is no better way to get to know the gentle and welcoming Malagasy people.

The inaugural trip in May will be escorted by Christina Dodwell and Wendy Hofstee. See the notes below for further details.

Trip length 11 days / 10 nights Ride price detailed prices price promise 2010: double pp £1,389 Departure dates 2010: 20 - 30 May; 29 May - 8 June Approximate riding time per day 5 hrs, mainly in the morning Riding ability required Walk, trot and canter. Group size 4 - 8 Meeting point (getting there) Tana airport (TNR) Transfer Included from meeting point Flight guide London - Tana return from £755 Single supplement detailed prices No supplement if willing to share. Otherwise: please enquire

SAMPLE ITINERARY - MADAGASCAR TRAIL

Day 1
Arrive Tana in the evening, welcome by Dodwell staff and transport. Overnight in Tana at hotel

Day 2
Briefing at Dodwell Office, banking, transfer to rain forest. Visit Dodwell's local projects, and rescued lemurs island. Overnight in a lodge in the rain forest.

Day 3
Morning ride in rain forest. In the afternoon return to Tana, overnight in Tana at hotel

Day 4
Travel to Ampefy, via Dodwell wild silkworms project and visit the geysers. In Ampefy we meet Harison, a vet who will guide the trip. Ride horses in field, allocate, check tack. Overnight in Ampefy in hotel on shores of a big lake.

Day 5
Set off on horse safari accopanied by a team of helpers and chef.

Day 6
Horse safari day 2
We are heading for the geographical centre of the island. The area we ride in has not yet been explored by westerners. We may have to alter the route slightly to e.g. across river crossings.

Day 7
Horse safari day 3. We intend to ride mainly in the morning to enable us to find a suitable spot for our camp site well before dark. This will leave some fre time on the afternoon to explore the area local to the camps for wildlife, flora and to visit any villages which might be nearby.

Day 8
Horse safari day 4

Day 9
Horse safari day 5

Day 10
Horse safari day 6. Finish in Betafo. See old town, visit crater lake. Overnight in Antsirabe, hotel is elegant spacious old house with antiques.

Day 11
In the morning travel back to Tana (4hrs) via Dodwell Trust silkworm project. Lunch at Tana hotel (not sure which one yet). Departure after lunch.


Optional extensions
Extensions are available on Isle Ste Marie (an idyllic coral island in the Indian Ocean off the mainland) or to visit the Tsingy. Please enquire for Tsingy option.

For Ste Marie Island extension (cost about £269 in 2009):

Day 11
In the afternoon fly to Ste Marie

Day 12
Overnight in Ste Marie

Day 13
Overnight in Ste Marie

Day 14
Ste Marie, fly back to Tana in the morning/afternoon

Day 15
Departure after breakfast, or if on a later flight spend the morning shopping for those last-minute souvenirs in Tana market, before leaving Tana and transferring to the airport for the flight home.

Please note: This itinerary is given for your guidance only and it may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

NOTES - MADAGASCAR TRAIL

ABOUT THE TRIP
Madagascar is famous for the diversity of plant and animal species found there, 70% of which are found nowhere else. Gerald Durrell was one of the first to bring the world's ateention to Madagascar. The diverstiy of its habitats are due to its total isolation as an island a fair way off the mainland of the already poor continent of Africa. No-one simply passes through Madagascar and precious few come specially to visit.

This geographical islolation also goes a long way to explaining the poverty and unchanged way of living of the poeple. The Malagasy people live life much as they have done for centuries and are guided by innumerable superstitions and beliefs which vary from one village to another. Once one steps 50 yards off a road (which is likely to be a remote dirt track), one could be back in medieval times. Oxen are commonly used for transport and ploughing fields. There are very few roads and even these are impassible for large parts of the year. The majority of this vast country is served only by tracks. There are some native horses in Madagascar mainly used for transport. This trail will allow us to see village life as we could in no other way.

ABOUT THE INAUGURAL RIDE
Wendy Hofstee, veterinary surgeon and founder of Unicorn Trails and Christina Dodwell, well known explorer, author, broadcaster and founder of the Dodwell Trust, are Fellows of the Royal Geographical Society and members of the Long Riders Guild and together will pioneer a horseback trail to the wild and remote centre of Madagascar. Riding through rainforests, volcanic regions with crater lakes, hot springs, waterfalls and traditional villages, the expedition is accompanied by an ox cart transporting the camp set up, support staff and chef. Flora and fauna unique to Madagascar will be encountered daily.

After the inaugural ride in May 2010 Unicorn Trails will offer regular departures to the region between May and October. Departure dates from September 2010, escorted by Unicorn Trails, will follow the same route. These trails will help the development of the region through sustainable ecotourism, create employment and improve the living standards of people and horses in the region. Tours will continue to support Dodwell trust projects.

ABOUT THE TOUR LEADERS IN MAY 2009

Unicorn Trails was established by veterinary surgeon Wendy Hofstee. A keen horsewoman, Ms Hofstee has travelled the world on horseback. Her extensive experience gained on her travels, has been paramount in ensuring Unicorn Trails are exceptional in offering tours with that extra spirit of adventure. Every trail has been personally tried and tested to make sure they meet the high standards of Unicorn Trails.

Unicorn Trails is a long standing advocate of responsible travel and is well known for supporting community and eco-tourism projects. Ms Hofstee uses her veterinary background to ensure tourism income benefits local communities and feeds through to improved condition of horses in tourism. Please visit http://www.unicorntrails.com/More/ResponsibleTravel.html for more details.

Following the companies success at the Department of Trade & Industry’s ‘Spirit of Enterprise’ awards, the company has continued to gain national recognition as a market leader in superb horse riding holidays in the UK, Europe, and worldwide.


Christina Dodwell
Born in Nigeria Christina became known as an explorer after her 3-year journey in Africa 1975 - 1978. This was followed by 2 years visiting remote tribes in Papua New Guinea and many other journeys spanning 20 years. She was awarded the Mungo Park Medal by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society in 1989.
Christina is listed in Debretts' People of Today and Who's Who. She has written 9 books which have been translated into 5 languages. She has made 3 television films and over 40 radio documentary programmes for BBC Radio 4 – several have received distinguished merit awards.
She has given lectures at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, the Explorers Club in New York, the Royal Geographical Society in London, and the Royal Scottish Geographical Society in Edinburgh.
For 15 years she worked as Senior Attaché for the Consulate of Madagascar in London, and 12 years ago she founded The Dodwell Trust, a charity dedicated to the country and people of Madagascar.

The weight limit for this ride is 13 st/187 lb/85 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
Transfers, all accommodation, full board on safari, all riding, tack, services of guide and camp staff and cook and £150 donation to the Dodwell trust.
If booking Isle Ste Marie extension the extension price includes: flights to/from Tana, transfers, accommodation.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Gratuities, items of a personal nature, meals other than on the 8 day riding safari, Madagascar entry visa and shared fuel costs en route, entry fees (estimated costs visa £45, other costs £179).
For Isle Ste Marie exxtension: meals, drinks and gratuities (estimated costs £92)


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