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Ad ven tur e
WILDLIFE
RAINFORESTS
CULTURE
GALORE!
bluedottravel.com.au
It’s a fa m i ly
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David Attenborough called Madagascar “nature’s own
laboratory” and with good reason. The world’s fourth
largest island has a whole range of unique animals and
plants, which have evolved here separated from the rest
of the world. The most notable are the lemurs of which
nearly 30 are described and on our tour, you will see
many of them both day and night! There are also over
250 bird species of which 106 are endemic. For lovers of
reptiles, most of the world’s chameleons are found here.
Blue Dot Travel has developed a family friendly,
fully-guided 2 week trip, discovering the best of this
fascinating island. The accommodation is a mix
of good quality hotel and eco lodges, the food is
very good (thanks to the French influence) and the
scenery, interaction with locals and wildlife will leave
you with wonderful memories forever.
Blue Dot Travel is best known for taking groups of
like-minded people to unique destinations all around
the world. We also consider ourselves experts in
family holidays. We know what families want when
they travel on holidays – having travelled extensively
with our own children and other families, to many
overseas destinations. Activities for the children, the
flexibility to do as little or as much as you want and
food options are important. So too is having most
of the hard stuff already arranged like hotels, main
meals, accommodation and sightseeing. Finally, we
realise that a holiday has to provide great value for
money and this is no exception.
Highlights of your 2-week Madagascan adventure
Importantly, this family expedition offers the opportunity to do as
little – or as much – as you like. While all day trips and entrance fees
are included in the tour cost, you are not obliged to partake in every
activity. You can laze by the pool, head out on the guided excursions
or mix it up a little. It is totally flexible and it is totally up to each family,
so long as you are on the coach to the next destination.
• Spotting lemurs, chameleons and other wildlife throughout the tour
• The Vakona Nature Reserve and its lodge
• Meeting and interacting with the local Malagasy people
throughout the trip
• Light trekking through the Isalo National Park
• The stunning Jardin Du Roy accommodation at Isalo
• Driving through the fascinating capital city – Antananarivo
• The iconic Avenue of the Baobabs in Morondava
• Discovering the fascinating south west region including Tulear
Book now call ( 02 ) 9906 5770 Email [email protected]
How you’ll travel and where you’ll stay
• The 2 week tour is designed and tailored to cater for
families – mums and dads, grandparents and children 8
years and older
• Tours are scheduled to fit in with NSW school holidays
starting on a Saturday and finishing on a Sunday
• Tours are guided by a professional English speaking
licensed guide
• Tour cost includes all international airfares from Perth return,
all transfers and transport while in country, all accommodation,
all meals, entrance to parks and other places of interest
• 3 and 4 star hotel accommodation, most with swimming
pools, air conditioning and wi-fi
• You will travel in an air-conditioned coach or minibus
depending on numbers
Blue Dot really knows how to travel with children
Your hosts Blue Dot Travel are a licensed, family-owned travel
agency operating from St. Leonards, NSW. For years they have
taken small groups all around the world on some of the most
exhilarating trips imaginable.
Having travelled extensively with their own children, owners Brett
and Kate Goulston identified an opportunity to extend their tour
itineraries by including tours to unique destinations around the
world, suitable for families. For more about Blue Dot Travel, visit
bluedottravel.com.au
The cultural experience
Madagascar offers a wonderful cultural experience – one that
many travellers fall in love with. But it is not like home. The food
is different, the language is different, service levels are different,
safety regulations are far less stringent than those at home. While
it is developing rapidly in the cities, it is a relatively poor country with
minimal infrastructure in some places. To enjoy the experience we
recommend you do not make comparisons or expect standards
to be like they are at home. Rather, embrace the difference and
prepare for a life experience that you and your children will never
forget. Chances are, you will want to return sooner than later.
For full itinerary please visit www.bluedottravel.com.au
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Yo u r q u
Q: How long are the tours?
A: Tours are two weeks departing on a Saturday and returning on a Sunday.
Q: When do the tours depart and
return?
A: The tours coincide with NSW
school holidays. In 2016, the first
tour will depart on September 19.
exchange currency. Hotels usually offer less value than currency exchange venues.
Don’t rely on ATMs as they are few and far apart and not guaranteed to work. Banks
often require passport information and have long queues.
Q: How much money should I take?
A: Most items including all meals are included in the tour cost so apart from your
drinks, souvenirs, tipping money and other small out-of-pocket amounts, you won’t
need much currency.
Q: How many people are on tour?
A: Our tours will depart with as few
as 4 adults. We take a maximum of
24 people on this tour.
Q: Is the tour structured?
A: Yes…and no. Importantly, you may have as little or as much to do with other
families as you like. While you are on tour, you are not obliged to sit with anyone at
meal times or participate in any activity you don’t wish to.
Q: What meals are included?
A: All breakfasts, lunches and dinners are included in the tour cost.
Q: What is the recommended age group?
A: The tour is designed for parents with children from 8-16. There is no reason why
younger and older children or grandparents cannot join however the physicality,
itinerary and overall services on tour need to be taken into consideration.
Q: Do children stay in the same room as adults?
A: No, children have a separate room as family rooms are not widely available in the
hotels we stay in. Your children will be in the room next door to you and provided
with their own key. The rooms are not always inter-connected.
Q: Does the group eat together?
A: The short answer is…only if you want to. All breakfasts are in the hotels and
provided you eat within the breakfast operating hours, you are free to eat whenever
you want and whomever you want to eat with. Same goes for dinners at the hotel.
You can arrange a time to sit and eat with other families or you might decide to eat
separately. Lunches are usually on the go somewhere or at the hotel. Generally
speaking, Madagascar does not have local restaurants suited to family travellers.
Q: What will the weather be like?
A: The weather all over the island varies due to the landscape, proximity to the coast
and altitude. The island lies in the tropics so it is always warm to hot. Rainfall is
common throughout January – March.
Outside of these months, expect balmy
days and cool – mild nights.
Q: What currency do we need?
A: The local currency in Madagascar is
the ariary. While exchange rates fluctuate,
one Australian dollar is worth 2,350
ariarys. You can exchange your Australian
dollars for the local currency on arrival
at the airport although $US are easier to
exchange around the country. Your guide
will help you locate the best place to
Q: What are the hotels like?
A: All hotels could be
considered good quality,
around 3-4 stars. You will
have clean rooms and
comfortable beds wherever
you go. The locals are often
shy and service can be slow.
No need to get frustrated.
Remember that you are on
holidays in a very special part
of the world.
Q: How safe is it to visit?
A: Madagascar is no more dangerous than other 2nd or 3rd world countries. You
need to take care with wallets, cameras and other valuables when walking around.
Generally speaking, the locals are honest and helpful but they are poor. The one
place we recommend you do not visit is the markets in Antananarivo below the hotel.
It is for locals only and has a poor reputation for pick-pockets.
Q: Who will be looking after my children?
A: Please note that parents are responsible for their children at all times. The guides,
the coach driver and support staff, hotel staff nor Blue Dot Travel are responsible for
the safety of your children.
Q: What will our transport be like?
A: Depending on the size of the
group, you will travel around in
comfortable, air-conditioned midicoaches or mini-buses.
Q: What about language?
A: The people of Madagascar
speak mainly French as it was a
French colony until the early 1960’s.
Some speak English but not many.
Your guides will speak English,
as will some hotel staff. You will
however need to speak slowly to be
understood. Remember that English
is not their first language.
Q: What about travel insurance?
Each family member must have travel
insurance. We can assist if you would
like us to quote. Family packages are
available from most insurers.
Book now call ( 02 ) 9906 5770 Email [email protected]
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Q: What is the pace
of the tour?
A: When developing
itineraries, our job is
to balance sightseeing
with rest time. It’s not
an easy task because
everyone is different.
Our main aim when
developing the itinerary
is to provide the children
with entertainment and culture, while at the same time, making it fun and enjoyable
for all. Remember, you are not obliged to participate in any excursion or activity
that you don’t want to. You only need to move with the group from destination to
destination given that all hotels are pre-booked.
Q: What inoculations and medications do we need to travel to Madagascar?
A: Blue Dot Travel is not qualified to provide medical advice of this nature. All
individuals are different and must be advised on an individual basis. It is important
to discuss this destination with your GP and/or your travel doctor.
Q: What if certain family
members have allergies
or special dietary needs?
A: Pre-existing allergies,
medical conditions and
special dietary needs
must be disclosed before
deciding to travel. We are
hopeful that we will be able
to help with any specific
needs while on tour.
Antananarivo airport. You need to line up at the relevant section before exiting the
airport. There is currently no fee for this process but this can change at any time.
If you prefer to obtain your visa
prior to arrival, this can be done
for a charge.
Q: What airlines do we use?
A: The tour cost includes
international flights with Air
Mauritius from Perth and return
plus Madagascar Airlines for the
internal flights.
Q: Can we book our own flights
or use frequent flyer points?
A: The short answer is yes but we cannot take responsibility if your flights are
cancelled or delayed or if you miss your flights. In these instances you will be
responsible for catching up with the group. We are unable to book frequent flyer
flights on your behalf.
Q: Can we fly business class?
A: Yes, we can quote at the time. As economy fares are included in the cost of the
tour, an allowance for the economy fare would be deducted from the overall costs
if you choose to fly business class.
Q: What are the food options.
A: The food on tour is generally very good, thanks mainly to the French-influence.
Common meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner include cooked vegetables, rice,
casserole dishes with fish, meats and French influenced dishes. Fruit is available
at hotels and at the local markets. Most of the hotels also offer some western-style
food. However, if your kids are very fussy, you may wish to bring Vegemite and other
spreads to have on bread and maybe some other types of nibbles for when you are
on the go.
Q: What medication should we take?
A: As with any travel to any destination, we recommend you take a basic first aid
kit – especially as you are travelling with children. We are not medically qualified to
advise what should be carried in your medical kit however common treatments for
stings, cuts, bruises, stomach upsets and mild pain should be included. Madagascar
does have pharmacies, hospitals
and medical centres but they are
not likely to be at the standard you
are used to in Australia and may
not be easily reached at all times
of the day.
Q: What about passports?
A: All Australian passport holders
(children included) must have at
least 6 months validity from the
last day of your stay in-country
or you may be denied entry.
Q: What about a travel visa?
A: Australian passport holders
may obtain a visa on arrival into
Q: What is the role of the guide?
A: The guide’s core role is to educate those interested in learning about the history
and the culture of the country and
all of the places you visit. They
are also there to help facilitate
the transfers from hotel to hotel
and from activity to activity.
Finally, they will help with any
questions about any aspect of the
tour and try to make the tour as
comfortable for each family as
possible. They are not personal
assistants and must not be treated
like personal assistants.
Q: How much luggage should
we take?
A: The short answer is minimal.
We will provide a suggested
packing list to all those booking
on tour.
For full itinerary please visit www.bluedottravel.com.au
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Now’s the time to book
Take your family on a unique
holiday full of great adventure,
magical moments and special
discoveries.
For complete itinerary visit bluedottravel.com.au
[email protected] or call (02) 9906 5770
Suite 109, 48 Atchison Street, St.Leonards NSW 2065
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*This brochure provides general information only. Photos are for representation only. Information was correct as at
time of printing, however changes may occur without notice. Travellers should check the itineraries in detail before
making a decision to travel. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check the complete terms & conditions prior to making
a decision to travel. *Each tour requires a minimum of 4 adults to ensure departure. Prices listed on our website
are based on per person, twin share and economy airfares. All travellers must have travel insurance. For complete
itineraries and terms & conditions, visit our website. Produced Sep 2015. Licence No 2TA004048.