Madagascar Classic Camps

Madagascar Classic Camping was created in order to offer the discerning traveller the ability to visit the most beautiful and remote areas of Madagascar while maintaining the high standards of food, accommodation and service that a true African Safari offers.

The concept

Madagascar Classic Camping (MCC) is proud to present to you the finest luxury camping experience on the Island Continent. Madagascar Classic Camping is a semi-mobile operation, which means that we can offer our quality services in the best areas at the best times.

We currently run our camp in one location; 'Mandrare River Camp' by the sacred Antandroy forests of Ifotaka.  

The Camp

Each Canvas Tent is 9m long and 3.3m wide, with extra large mosquito netted roof vents and side windows, to allow maximum ventilation in our hot and dry climate.

The tent contains a mosquito netted 4-poster double bed or 2 single beds depending on your request. The tents were hand made to our specifications in South Africa and are designed to withstand the daily stresses of our rugged local environment.
Inside the main Inner tent (5.4m x 3.3m) there is a canvas covered wardrobe, dressing table with mirror, bedside tables and a large baggage trunk. Each tent has a veranda with 2 comfortable canvas safari chairs and a small table, a great place to sit and relax away from the midday sun or with a gin & tonic in the evenings. All of the furniture is made from Palissandre (also known and King Palissandre) which is similar to Rosewood and a famous Malagasy Hardwood.

The bathroom section is attached to the rear of the tent and includes a shower area, chemical toilet and wash stand with basin. Hot water for the basin is provided in the morning and evenings and the hot bucket showers are ready after your sundowners or delivered on demand.

Each tent has individually hand crafted furniture, we have 6 tents each caved in a local wildlife theme: Chameleon, Lemur, Gecko, Baobab, Star Tortoise and Malagasy Heron.

Daily activities

The day to day activities depend on the specific area where the camp is located, although they will always include walks to see the endemic wildlife which Madagascar is famous for, the best times for these walks are the mornings and afternoons to escape the heat of the sun. Where suitable we will organise night walks as this is often the best time to see many reptile species as well as the nocturnal lemur species such as Mouse and Sportive Lemur.

We are fully committed to assisting local communities in the areas which we stay and whenever possible and practical we try ensure interaction between our clients and the local communities, a sharing experience which benefits both sides and helps to preserve the fragile balance between ensuring sustainable development within local communities, and safeguarding the environment.

Life in camp

With a maximum of 12 guests in our 6 tents, we are flexible, so life in camp will be catered to your needs. Meals are taken together with our guides around a long dining table, in an informal family atmosphere.
Mandrare River Camp is our first site and set nestled under the shade of Tamarind Trees on the banks of the Mandrare River - the lifeblood of the region. Set in the grounds of an old colonial sisal plantation house, the camp is just 2km from the village of Ifotaka and opposite the sacred ancestral forests of the Antandroy Tribe.

We have steps descending to the river beach and the sun rises out straight across the river over the distant mountains beyond, a breathtakingly beautiful site early in the morning. In the evening a trip to the beach with a pair of binoculars quickly reveals that there is no light pollution here, hundreds of km's from the nearest big city, the stars fill the night sky and you can spend hours gazing up to the heavens in awe.

This area is home to the Antandroy tribe, regarded by many as the fiercest and most traditional in Madagascar. The mainstay of the Antandroy is Zebu herding with some subsistence agriculture of Sorghum and Cassava; they, like all Malagasy, are a proud people steeped in traditions of ancestor worship and fady with a fascinating culture and social structure.

Staying with MCC in the Ifotaka area you will have the opportunity to see first hand the life of the Antandroy and experience this rich culture. By protecting the Sacred Forests where the Antandroy ancestors are buried, the tribe have managed to preserve pristine wildlife areas and species including Catta (ring-tailed), Mouse and Sifaka (dancing) Lemurs as well as many bird species.

Meals

Meals are prepared en-site by our excellent chef and served in a specially designed dinning tent. Meals consist of a hearty breakfast, with eggs and bacon, we also do a bush breakfast if you have an early walk in the forest. Lunch in camp is a barbeque served in the dinning tent. A picnic lunch with bread, cheeses, salads and cold meats is taken with you on any full day trips. Sundowners and Canapés are served in the early evening In the evening it is all change as you are served a sumptuous 3-course dinner under the glow of lanterns, a truly bush experience.

We use only the finest and freshest of Madagascan produce and so meals vary in different areas, but you may sample our famous Malagasy Foie Gras, or fresh seafood kebabs gently grilled on vanilla pods to give a rich Malagasy infusion, fresh lobster is usually available at Manadare River Camp or Zebu fillets cooked to your preference. Then to follow, a sumptuous desert with rich Malagasy chocolate, will ensure that your culinary experience is unbeatable (vegetarians are equally as well catered for!). Port and coffee will allow you to stay at the table as long as your desire, listening to the enchanting Malagasy tales and histories recounted by our guides.

Please note that due to the remoteness of our camps and the difficulties of supply we are unable to cater for certain specific requests or allergies (such as nut allergies). Please ensure any such requests are advised to us in advance so we can assess these.

Drinks

All drinks are included in our rates, mineral water, soft drinks and beer are available at any time, sundowners and pre/post dinner drinks include: Sparkling Wine, Gin, Whiskey, Brandy and Port and Wine is served for lunch and dinner. (French champagne can be purchased on request, please give us a few hours notice so we can chill it down for you!).

Energy Saving

To ensure that our guests travel with us in the knowledge that they are leaving the most minimal of Carbon Footprints, we have installed energy producing and energy saving features throughout our camp. We have a 600W solar power system which feeds our battery bank to run our main electrical appliances, as well as all room and camp lighting. Our 3 Fridge/Freezers are specially designed to work on very low currents so that they can be sustained uniquely by our solar panels, ensuring that you get ice cold drinks, without warming up the environment.

Water for our showers is pre-heated in a large metal tank on the roof of our the truck, ensuring it gets pretty warm during the day, we then add piping hot water to ensure it is just the right temperature for a hot bush shower!

We have 3 days autonomy from our solar power, so even on a cloudy day the sun provides for all our energy needs.

Enjoy a true Malagasy Safari experience, safe in the knowledge that you are assisting to protect the 'evolutionary experiment' that is the Island continent of Madagascar.

Tour's map