Newsletter August 2007

"Small Group and Family Vacations in Exotic Locations"

www.remoterivers.com


Chez Maggie Hotel
Morondava, Madagascar

www.chezmaggie.com

August 2007 Greetings from Morondava Dear Friends & Fellow Travelers, Thanks for visiting and we hope you enjoy our newsletter and photos. Remote River Expeditions is a small, hand’s on company, specializing in family and small group travel to Madagascar, Ethiopia and Tanzania. Along with extensive country and travel information updated program information and schedule may be found on our website: www.remoterivers.com Chez Maggie Hotel If you haven't visited yet we hope you will in the near future and discover for yourself the magic of the Chez Maggie! 2007 is proving to be an exciting year here at the Chez Maggie. We were quite busy during the ‘off’ season and we're now in the midst of the ‘high’ season and very busy indeed. We’ve just completed building 3 new bungalows (#’s 11, 12 & 14) which brings our total to 12. Details and photographs are on the property map on our website. We will also be adding two photo galleries and a 'Guest Book' to our website as well. We welcome your photo contributions and comments so please let us hear from you. In The News: Boris Pasek, long time friend and river runner; friend of Madagascar; and professional webmaster has now formed a new company, betterclicks.de. Please contact him for information regarding his services and all your IT needs. Congratulations to Tobias and Anne Marie on the birth of the son Rafael Niklas! All the best. Best of luck to Emily (Lemmer) who is currently working on her Master’s program involving the Menabe Region of Madagascar and specifically the Avenue of the Baobabs. It’s been great to see everyone here at the Chez Maggie and on the river! Thanks to all our friends (and family) for contributing information, ideas and images! We hope this message finds you well. All the best for the remainder of the year and we hope to see you soon! RRE & CM

On the Mangoky river Red Fronted Brown Lemur, Kirindy Forest

The RRE World of Travel

Madagascar, Ethiopia and Tanzania each have their own special attractions, qualities, and challenges. The options are varied and the contrasts are often startling. Whether you are interested in a relaxing family vacation, an in depth natural history program or an extreme adventure RRE may have just what your looking for.

We hope you’ll find something that strikes your fancy and meets your time and budget. If not, drop a line and let's make a plan. Along with our scheduled departures we're happy to arrange custom itineraries to suit your interests.

Ethiopia 2007/2008

Omo River Expediton / 04 - 25 October 2007:
The 'African Queen' of river journeys!
* A Remote River Expeditions Specialty for 15+ Years*
13 & 22 Day Options

Long known as one of the world's best rafting trips. The Omo has it all: exciting rapids; great campsites; beautiful scenery; hot springs; good birding; abundant wildlife; and some of the most unique and unvisited people in Africa.

UPDATE AUGUST 2007

We'll be running the full expedition in October 2007 and there is still time to join the trip. There are hydro-electric projects underway on the river and this may be the last time we offer the full expedition. We feel it's important to pay tribute one last time. Please contact for us for updated information.

David Turton, long time Mursi researcher and friend, just sent the following: 'This is to let you know about a Mursi website, 'Mursi Online', which is now 'live' at www.mursi.org If you have time to look at it, comments, criticisms and suggestions for improvement would be very welcome. So far we've designed a structure and given it some basic content. Over the next year (communications technology permitting) we want to make it a 'Mursi' website in practice as well as in name, by increasing the amount of content provided by Mursi themselves.'

OMO EXPEDITION 2008

We hope to be able to continue to run the river but it is uncertain at the moment. The plan for 2008 will be announced following this year’s expedition.


Blue Nile River

We are happy to offer fully catered expeditions on Ethiopia's famous Blue Nile River Available upon request for small groups on a private charter basis / Sep - Oct 2008 6 – 10 Day Programs

Madagascar 2008

Mangoky River, Rainforest & The West
More than a great river trip!
A comprehensive look at the Great Red Island.

Highlights Include:

• A relaxed multi-activity journey
• Mangoky River: A Calm Water Float
• Eastern rain forest Andasibe (Perinet)
• Western Savannah / Southern Spiny Forest
• Morondava & the lovely Chez Maggie Hotel
• Kirindy Forest Reserve
• Avenue of the Baobabs & the Baobabs in Love
• Relaxing on the Mozambique Channel
• Optional snorkelling & SCUBA diving in Ifaty

On the tranquil Mangoky River we enjoy a relaxing and truly remote camping experience. Great food, great company in a seldom visited region of the island. Floating past the world's largest baobab forest and enjoy a variety of endemic Malagasy endemic flora and fauna.







NEW for 2008

West meets East

21-days itinerary (PDF)
14 days itinerary (PDF)

Madagascar: The Island of Contrast - The best of both worlds!

Discover the best of both coasts: the unique flora and fauna of the dry western forest and the rainforest of the east coast. A unique program featuring two superb properties: the Chez Maggie Hotel, Morondava and the Masoala Forest Lodge, Masoala Peninsula.

Available Julyt through November

Western Highlights

• Chez Maggie Hotel (Morondava)
• Tsingy de Bemaraha World Heritage Site
• Kirindy Forest
• Avenue of the Baobabs / Baobabs in Love
• The Mangroves of Morondava
• Sailing on the Mozambique Channel

Eastern Highlights

• Masoala Forest Lodge
• Masoala National Park
• Moderate tropical sea kayaking (optional)
• Rainforest Exploration
• Indian Ocean

River and Sea Kayak:
A Unique / Active Combination of River and Sea!

Kayaking & Canoeing Adventure – No experience required. Flat water canoeing on the Manambolo River and moderate tropical sea kayaking off the coast of Masoala National Park. Available upon request (October through November) for groups of 4 or more.

Features Include: Andasibe (Perinet) National Park, Tsingy de Bemaraha , Kirindy Forest, Avenue of the Baobabs, Chez Maggie Hotel, Masoala National Park and the Masoala Forest Lodge.

Tanzania 2008

Rufiji River Safari

July 11 - 27, 2008
18-Days

Cost: $4,840.00

A Unique Floating Safari! An exceptional calm water rafting safari combining wildlife viewing, daily game walks and wilderness camping in Africa's largest protected area, the wild and wonderful Selous Game Reserve. Excellent birds, a full variety of African big game along with a nearness to nature and wildlife impossible to find anywhere else.

Chez Maggie Hotel

Morondava, Madagascar

The Chez Maggie is located directly on the beach on the Mozambique Channel in the tranquil costal town of Morondava in the heart of the western (Menabe) region. The property features extensive gardens with swimming pool and our restaurant with superb cuisine and a full service bar with the best single malt scotch collection in Madagascar.

From the moment you set foot on the grounds you'll know why the Chez Maggie has long enjoyed the reputation as the hotel of choice in Morondava. A small, intimate property, the Chez Maggie is known by locals and international travellers alike, the hotel will quickly become your "home away from home" in Madagascar.


Whether for a night, a long weekend, or an extended stay, the Chez Maggie offers a relaxed and secure setting. Dispersed throughout the extensive gardens, the air-conditioned bungalows and 2-story chalets are spacious and comfortable. Each chalet and bungalow has its own unique and distinctive flair. All feature a large sitting area, colorfully tiled bathrooms, and hand-picked artwork.

Honeymoon and extended stay packages available.

Le Masoandro "The Sunshine" Restaurant & Bar offers a wonderfully relaxed and comfortable setting. Guests are greeted with quality service and a smile, with the opportunity to dine on some of the finest cuisine to be found anywhere. Each day local fishermen deliver their catch and our head chef, Irina, prepares the "Fruits of the Sea" to perfection. House specials include crab sautee, lobster grille, and BBQ jumbo shrimp. The menu selection is based on the flavorful fruits, vegetables, seafood, meats and cheeses of the country.


Morondava is the gateway to the attractions of western Madagascar and the Chez Maggie is proud to offer quality excursion and activities from the hotel:

• Sailing and diving aboard the 42' Catamaran the “Nyota Ya Kosini” or traditional Malagasy pirogue
• Tsingy de Bemaraha - A World Heritage Site
• Snorkeling and SCUBA diving in Belo sur Mer
• Kirindy Forest
• Kirindy-Mitea National Park
• Avenue of the Baobabs
• Paddling in the Morondava mangroves
• And extended programs and custom tours throughout the island

A few tempting photos:
Length of stay: Often we hear the question, "How long should we stay?" The quick answer is a question: "How much time do you have?" Most guests who stay only a night or two feel they are leaving much too soon. By the way the record for longest stay now stands at 27 days! So it's up to you!

When to Visit: The best time to visit? Again the short answer is "Anytime!" www.chezmaggie.com

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