Trip Details

Madagascar Culture Week

Add this Madagascar Culture Week to your Volunteer Project to really get to know the Malagasy way of life!

Before you start your project, why not spend a week discovering all that this magical island has to offer! This Madagascar Culture week will have you diving into the local culture and even learning the Malagasy language! Moreover, you will discover bustling towns, colourful markets, and enjoy delicious authentic Malagasy cuisine! And, for the avid hikers amongst you, there’s a hike to the peak of Mont Passot …quite literally, a breathtaking experience!

Discover the rich, vibrant Culture of the Malagasy People!

During your Madagascar Culture week, you’ll learn about Malagasy culture, dress, dance and traditions and so much more! In fact, Malagasy people are super-friendly, and they will be delighted to get to know you as a guest in their country. Further, for the Indiana Joneses amongst you, you’ll find burial grounds to hidden villages and archaeological ruins too! Also, nature lovers will not be disappointed as you’ll be spotting chameleons, crocodiles, and even 200-year-old giant banyan trees – all the while exploring Madagascar’s mountains, lakes and mangrove forests.

Stay in our safe and friendly Accommodation, with Wifi and Meals included

After a day of sight-seeing, you might like a little down-time! At our centre in Nosey Be, where you’ll be staying, there are plenty of places to chat with new friends, or simply kick back in the sunshine. Also, meals are included throughout your stay, and importantly – we’ve got wifi!  So, you can keep in touch with friends and family – that’s if you find the time!  This Madagascar Culture Week is a fantastic add-on to your volunteering experience and will, in addition, help you to get a real feel for the Malagasy way of life!

Why add our Madagascar Culture Week to your Project?

  • Explore more of the rich and diverse terrain of Madagascar
  • Discover hidden gems, villages, ancient ruins and …even a rum distillery!
  • Lose yourself in the music, song and dance of the Malagasy culture
  • Make new friends of locals and fellow volunteers before you start your project
  • Stay in safe and comfortable accommodation with wifi in communal areas
  • Enjoy great Malagasy cuisine, with all meals and beverages* included

*tea, coffee and drinking water

Get in touch to find out more or browse through our many other volunteer experiences.

Trip Itinerary

Every day on your Madagascar Culture Week will be full of fun and adventure! Below is your schedule for the week, so hold onto your (sun) hats!

Monday

  • Welcome, introduction your Madagascar Culture Week, and the team, House rules, Dos and Don’ts, Code of Conduct and handling of documents
  • Introduction about the neighbourhood and prices for taxi, tuk-tuk etc.
  • Visit Ambatloka to get SIM Cards and visit the market area
  • Lunch
  • Walk around the foot of Mont Passot and hike to its peak for sunset.

Tuesday

  • Walk from Ambatozavavy to Marodoka across Nosy Be’s rural areas.
  • Picnic lunch and local dancing!
  • Pastry class!
  • Malagasy language lessons

Wednesday

  • Banyan tree visit where ancestors made sacrifices.
  • Explore the town of Hell-Ville
  • Lunch
  • Visit the market place, Kings residence and courthouses

Thursday

  • Painting class with a local traditional painter
  • Lunch
  • Language lessons

Friday

  • Join Ampasipohy by car and then by pirogue
  • LOKOBE Community Forest’s entrance spotting lemur species, birds and reptiles
  • Lunch
  • Fishing with a local fisherman – or –
  • Work in vanilla, pepper or pineapple fields with locals

Evenings and Weekends

After a day of cultural activities, you can choose to explore the area or simply relaxing back at your accommodation. In fact, many of our volunteers enjoy mixing with their new volunteer friends during the week and plan their weekend adventures as they go!

Places to Visit

With all-year-round sunshine, Nosy Be is a paradise for aqua activities. The golden beaches are the highlights of Nosy be where you can swim, snorkel or just sit back and enjoy the sunshine. These are some of our favourite beaches to enjoy on your Madagascar Culture Week …

  • Palm Beach
  • Andilana Beach
  • Ambatoloaka Beach

Please note: This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Trip Accommodation

Nosy Be, where you will be staying, is an idyll for nature lovers! Here, you will find lemurs, unique bird species, reptiles. and many other animals, including some pretty spectacular plant species!

And, for the explorer, there are volcanic lakes, hikes, rum distilleries, Ylang Ylang plantations and breathtaking coral reefs that are practically begging to be discovered!

Further, if you come in May, you’ll enjoy the four-day Donia Music Festival. However, all year round you will have the opportunity to swim among turtles, stingrays or manta rays. This is truly an adventure you will not forget!

About the Accommodation

In our centre, there is a dining room, a communal lounge area, and a beautiful garden to relax. There is also a refrigerator which you are welcome to use to store food and beverages.
In addition, you also have a balcony and large roof terrace to spend some quality time with your new-found friends. Rooms are dorm style male/female and sleep 4 – 6 to a room and mosquito protection is available.

Importantly, if you’re coming by yourself for the first time, you won’t be alone! There will always be others who, like you, are volunteering overseas, and there are staff on-site 7 days a week to help you. In fact, socialising is the norm here, so you’ll find you’ll not be short of things to do during your down-time. Wifi is available in communal areas of the volunteer house so you can catch up with friends and family – if you get the time!.

Food 
Malagasy cuisine is an experience in itself! Whilst it mainly consists of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables, you will also have chicken dishes to choose from about twice a week, in addition to daily vegetarian meals. And if you need to be eased into African food, we always have a mix of Western and Malagasy cuisine on offer. You can also use the kitchen facilities to cook for yourself or eat out at any of the local restaurants at your own expense.

Facilities
There is an ATM about 15-20 minutes away from the centre, accessible by bus or Tuk-Tuk.
The closest local supermarket is also around 15-20 minutes away by bus or Tuk-Tuk from the accommodation.
Wifi is available in communal areas of your accommodation.

Transportation

Transportation is available to all surrounding areas. However, transport costs are not included in the programme and extra provision must be made for your excursions.

Please note that in Madagascar, the cyclone season is from January until April

Trip Country Info

Madagascar

Population: 25,054,000
Capital: Antànanarivo
Language: Malagasy (official) and 17 dialects apart from the official Malagasy language and French.
Currency: Ariary (Ar or MGA)
Time zone: UTC +3:00

Because of its isolation from the major continents, Madagascar is considered as a jewel in biodiversity terms, an exotic country with a high concentration of endemic species. Madagascar’s flagship species are 100% endemic with 101 lemur species. Of 285 bird species recorded 105 are unique to the country. Three fourths of Madagascar’s 860 orchid species are endemic to the island and 6 of the world’s 8 baobab species are found nowhere else in the world. But, human presence constantly threatens these wonders. Over 90% of Madagascar’s wildlife is endemic and cannot be seen wild anywhere else on earth.

Madagascar’s cultural richness differs from one ethnic group to another. And, 18 ethnic groups form the Malagasy population whose culture is based on the respect of the ancestors and the unity of the living.

Madagascar is the world’s fourth largest island. It is one of the richest countries for biodiversity, but economically one of the poorest nations. 75.3% of Malagasy live under the poverty line, and the gap between the rich and poor is widening day by day. Despite dire poverty, Malagasy society remains open-hearted to everyone who takes time to discover and enjoy its natural and cultural heritage. This land of smiles and contrasts is ready to take you on your next adventure whether helping out in local communities or just exploring. This island located at the crossroads of the African and Asian worlds will surely amaze your senses. Madagascar will certainly shift the way you see the world.

Madagascar’s wildlife is found nowhere else on Earth, this is due to the isolation of the country.  In Madagascar the locals are kind and friendly, you will receive a warm welcome, despite the country not being one of wealth, the people are proud, and are proud of what they have.

If you want to move it move it in Madagascar get involved in one of our volunteering projects here.  You will be spending your gap year in a destination that offers a kind of hospitality from the Malagasy that you would get nowhere else.

Participant Criteria & Requirements

Standard Requirements

MUST have a yellow fever vaccination and must obtain a certificate as proof
Travel Insurance
Under 18, Parental Consent is Required
Over 65, Medical Clearance is Required

Additional Requirements

No requirements have been provided.

What's included

  • 24/7 support in case of emergencies
  • Accommodation
  • Airport Pick up
  • English speaking coordinator
  • Meals
  • Orientation

What's not included

  • Airport drop off
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Vaccination
  • Visa