Where would we NEVER go from the US?
Madagascar - the 4th largest island in the world and just a short 6-hour flight from Entebbe – Or so we thought.
We decided to take a quick fall break. We flew into Antananarivo, Madagascar just off the southeast corner of Africa. Due to terrible flight connections through Kenya, it took about 24 hours each way to get to our ultimate destination on the northwest coast of this massive island. But it was worth it. We spent a couple of nights in the capital city (again, waiting for flight connections) and enjoyed the introduction to great food influenced by the French colonial years.
We trapsed around town a bit and saw some historic landmarks but it felt A LOT like Kampala so we also enjoyed the hotel amenities and sleeping. Scott slept 12 hours the first night. Yes, he’s been working hard.
We shuttled on a two-hour hopper flight aboard an 8-seater plane to our destination. We flew over rolling hills of scattered farms, rivers and vast swaths of undeveloped land. Madagascar is known for having the worst roads in the world so you either fly, boat around or walk most places except the bigger cities or coastal towns. One of the guides at our lodge told us his village was a five hour walk away. He only goes home two times a year.
Anna quickly reminded us of “Zaboomafoo” and the cartoon movie, “Madagascar,” which she remembers from her childhood. Let’s just say that any similarities are a stretch!
Madagascar is toward the bottom of the world’s GDP rankings. It sits just above North Korea and few spots below Uganda. The average annual per person income in 2023 was $489 US Dollars.
Folks live a very frugal existence but the beautiful natural surroundings just invite tourism development with secure jobs and opportunity. Visitors come to see the lemurs and the ancient Baobab trees (which are mostly 500 – 1500 years old.) Little did we know that lemurs are only found on Madagascar.
We spent four lovely nights at a small lodge on the northwest coast. We had our own cottage, were joined by a few other guests and spoiled with amazing food. We were able to walk throughout the massive protected reserve and saw wildlife everywhere. I joined others on a boat trip off the coast and saw dozens of fishermen tending their nets surrounded by totally unspoiled beauty.
The big miss for us…… We were the ONLY guests who didn’t come fully kitted in brand new, expensive safari outfits…. Khaki pants (extra points for zip-off pant legs and at least 12 pockets), brimmed khaki hats and both short and long sleeve safari shirts. Most folks had multiple outfits and mixed and matched throughout the week. We were also the ONLY ones there without 35mm cameras with 20-inch lenses. One couple never spoke to any of the other guests (we think they were French Canadian). They dressed to match. The standard safari attire plus an extra, long sleeve buffalo plaid flannel shirt. Mind you, it was about 80 – 85 degrees all week.
They had to have taken thousands of pictures – each.
We had a lovely time. Marveled in this remote spot and were grateful for the opportunity to get a way for a few days.
We both also chuckled that we have lived in Africa for nearly four years and have never owned safari clothes.
Leaping Lemurs - we sat in the oasis each evening at 5:00 pm to watch the fun.
Our view
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