Testimonials
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We had such an incredible time in Madagascar. I find myself almost speechless trying to explain to friends all our experiences and the sights we saw. The highlight was the trip on the river, the people and, of course, the lemurs. I am in awe at the quality and variety of food which you and your crew prepared over tiny campfires. Here, in the US, it seems that no one (except those in our team) can go camping without a 30+ ft. camper complete with stoves, ovens, microwaves, TVs etc.
I will always have a special spot in my heart for Madagascar. The nights at Chez Maggie were a perfect way to ease back into life with showers, etc. You and Baholy have a wonderful, peaceful location - with a great kitchen. Gary, thank you so much for the experience of a lifetime. With deep respect for your skills on the river. Well done.
Best regards to Baholy and thanks to her as well for such a delightful stay at Chez Maggie.
June & Frank, British Columbia, Canada
(June 2011, Mangoky River, Rainforest & the West)
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... to let you know how much we enjoyed our stay in Madagascar. In particular, we want to thank you for organizing the trip on the Mangoky river. We loved every minute of it. The expedition food was the best we have ever eaten, and we enjoyed your company and that of your hard working crew. You have been able to gather a great team together, and of course, as you know, Ludo is simply a gem.
While the river was in many ways the highlight (we are still drooling over some of those magnificent misty sunrises); we loved our time at Chez Maggie (more great meals including the magnificent final feast), and were enthralled by the lemurs we saw at Andasibe and Kirindy, and on the river too. Ludo, with his great knowledge of the flora and fauna added so much to our experience on our walks in the reserves, and we simply enjoyed being in his company.
We also found the last days in Mondorava, with a visit to the local fishing village, to be very worthwhile. Even Lemur Island, touristy though it was, allowed us extremely close contact with lemurs, creatures we fell in love with.
We trust all is well with you and your family, that Chez Maggie and Remote Rivers are busy and prosperous, and hope that some day we may all meet again in beautiful Madagascar .
With our very best wishes,
Steve and Alison, USA
(June 2011, Mangoky River, Rainforest & the West)
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Our trip was one of a lifetime! Thanks to you, Bruce, and of course Ludo, along with our driver Mr. Pierrot,
who got us to our destinations safely.
I think the highlight of the trip for me was when we went into a small school (can't remember where) and I
taught the children a song that I had taught my 4yr olds at home. The teacher was delightful and the
children were precious . . . they seemed to love the little song. I began to see that I could possibly teach
young children abroad - what a vision. . . don't know how or when or where, but it is a possibility.
I think you should do more to promote the gem and jewelry industry in your beautiful country. Many beautiful
gems come from Madagascar - lots of different colored sapphires, not just the deep blue ones. Like I said,
I love gems and I know there are others who like them as much as I do. Just a thought from someone who
loves her Malagasy jewelry.
Thanks for all you did to make our trip memorable. We had a great time!
Margaret / Lake Jackson, Texas
(June 2010, Gems & Wonders of Madagascar ~ 16-Day Custom Program)
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I'm back in london feeling like my extraordinary trip on the Omo was a big dream. Its hard to believe it was only two weeks ago that I was travelling down the Omo river. It was an amazing experience and it was made by the great people I travelled with. So thank you to all who made it such a positive and happy experience, a once in a lifetime experience.
I have taken so much from the trip, no only aesthetically but personally, building bonds with people and new friends. I will forever the stunning gorges and canyons that we rafted through in silence, as our minds were being swept away by their beauty and tranquillity.
Rafting past families of hippos (big fat scaredy cats!!), baboons and colobus swinging in the trees, the most spectacular birds soaring in the clear blue skies. Seeing the excitement of the village people who came to see us. Our mutual excitement of seeing each other, simply beaming with happiness, their donkeys waiting by the water while they swam with their goats skins in the Omo brown river.
I thrived on the anticipation of what each day brought. We were woken by the rising sun and went to bed with the sun setting. The magical camp sites we used were simply dreamy. Each morning waking up peering out of my tent in awe, amazed I was even there. We were so far removed from the world we couldn't work out what day it was. The hot springs, the outstanding waterfalls, the water slide, the great conversations the list goes on.
Smelling the wood burning on the campfire for breakfast and dinner, eating great food and drinking the ultimate cup of tea on the the river bank after a day on the water was simply perfect.
Leaving the river my last day was hard, my heart was still on the water with my friends. But what an experience and once again form my heart thank you to you all for making it such a great trip
Gayley / UK
Omo River Expedition 2008
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"I can only repeat what I said during my movie interview – It was
a tremendous privilege and experience for Myles and I to be rafting on the Gibe/Omo River with
Gary and his team of such experienced, professional oarsmen. Despite the remoteness of the river
from civilization, and the closeness of the crocs and hippos, at no time did we feel concerned
for our safety.
We saw the river from an entirely different point of view, being carried ON it - and learned
that it is a beautiful, living, changing being, revealing secrets slowly and often surprisingly.
The camping, while sometimes difficult in the dark and rain, was also fun, with excellent food
and a camaraderie among all. Many thanks for teaching us so much about something we so often
take for granted - rivers - and about which we knew so little."
Bob & Myles Ransom, France / Ethiopia
Upper Omo 2004, Ethiopia 2004
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"After our first river trip with Remote River Expeditions on the Tsiribihina River it was just
a question of time when to do the next trip in Madagascar with RRE. So we did it in 2004 and
really had a nice time in Madasgacar again and especially on the Mangoky River.
We enjoyed romantic camps on remote sand bars, delicious food, nice company, many animals, nice
trekking tours (especially Isalo was fabulous), music at the campfire and after all some relaxing
days on the beaches of Madagascar's west coast in Ifaty. Thanks to the team of Remote River
Expeditions for their great guidance and organisation."
Alex & Boris
Germany
Mangoky River & National Parks, Madagascar 2004
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"Rafting on the Upper Omo River, 15-days was (is) the
loveliest and biggest chapter in my life. When I first thought about it I was not
so sure what it would be a like in reality. By the continued effort and encouragement
of the Remote River Expeditions officials (especially Gary Lemmer) I now have
something to talk about the rest of my life.
What can be more enjoyable than to find yourself in the middle of nowhere being happy,
breathing the cleanest oxygen, appreciating uncountable sceneries which change every
100 yds, and looking at clearest sky at night. And exchanging ideas with persons of
different ages, nationalities, life experiences
and angle of view.
I knew that the country is naturally rich; I proved it and it made me prouder of my country. Besides
of all naturally available things on the trip I greatly enjoyed the accommodation by Remote Rivers,
it was just awesome."
Daniel Goita Ferketa, Addis Ababa
Omo River Expedition
Ethiopia 2003
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"I have been on a lot of fantastic white water trips, and row myself, but the Omo River with Gary
and Alyson was truly phenomenal. Gary is laid back in everything but his regard for his client's
safety and enjoyment. An expedition like the Omo never goes according to "plan" (hippos and monsoons
fail to cooperate), but Gary is a wizard at innovation and getting the most out of any trip. Be sure
to grab the opportunity to join Gary on his next river expedition."
Douglas Schofield, USA
Omo River Expedition
Ethiopia 2003
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"Gary worked patiently with us for over two years planning an itinerary for
ten friends who wanted to 'see it all and do it all' in only three weeks
and within a reasonable budget! Although it would be impossible to do
justice to such a varied and fascinating country as Madagascar in such a
short time we certainly gave it a try!
Along the way we canoed, trekked, rode zebu carts and a unimog before a brief sojourn at the coast for
diving, snorkeling and just plain relaxing on the Mozambique Channel at the
beautiful Chez Maggie Hotel. In all we traveled through four very different
ecological regions and the homelands of nine tribal groups, for the most
part maintaining the "mora mora" philosophy.
This relaxed composure was
largely because of the efficiency and flexibility of Gary and his team as
well as the welcoming, easy going nature of the Malagasy people. Nowhere in
our far ranging travels have we felt more at ease than among the Malagasy.
Gary's assistant Gerard Ravoajanahary is a professional naturalist of the
highest order and has an uncanny ability to spot wildlife, large and small ,
during the heat of the day or at night. No one in our group felt they had
not seen a broad sampling of Madagascar's unique fauna and flora.
Thanks for a unique experience."
John & Tess Cederholm, USA
Manambolo River / Custom Itinerary
Madagascar 2003
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"What a rich experience! Spectacular
scenery, varied terrain, fascinating creatures, exotic trees & plants, wonderful
food accompanied by Malagasy music around the campfire, and the tender care of
our river guides and porters. Gary and Gerard's warm professionalism made our
visit extremely memorable. Each part of our journey was well thought out,
and went very smoothly. And Chez Maggie Hotel in Morondava is a must!"
Marilyn & Bob, USA
Manambolo River / Custom Itinerary
Madagascar 2003
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"My Omo trip was an incredible adventure into a wilderness with
animals that kept reminding me I was in Africa and peoples with
cultures so vastly different that I know I will never look at our society
the same again. After the initial anxiety, the daily routines of camping
and being on the water and sharing good meals and good company
eased any fears I had. The rafting allowed much time for contemplation
of the passing scenery and of tse tse flies and of my own place in the
world - a chance for an inward journey as well as one to a distant land."
Gloria, USA
Omo River Expedition
Ethiopia 2001
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"Best two weeks of my life!"
Tilly, UK
Omo River Expedition
Ethiopia 2001
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"Rafting the Omo River presents an amazing opportunity to leave the familiar behind.
It was truly a life changing and soul clearing adventure. Never before (and never again) will
I see and met people so far removed from our increasingly small world. Crocs, hippos, baboons,
amazing scenery, secluded camps and the people, the encounters with people along the river were
the best of all. They were as fascinated by meeting me as I was by meeting them. I have stories
to last a lifetime."
Michael, USA
Omo River Expedition
Ethiopia 2001
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