Guestbook and reviews

Hello and welcome to my guestbook and review page. Here you can read all the e-mail comments, reviews and recommendations from my clients over the past few years. I hope it will inspire you to come visit Madagascar and enjoy the many beautiful things the “Big Island” has to offer. If I can be of any service or organise a tour for you, please let me know!

‘Thank you’ to all my clients and guests for sending me their e-mails, photographs and Tripadvisor reviews!

Siddique Fisher, Astrid Fisher, Jerome Fisher: (20 – 24 Nov 2015): Antananarivo the Capital, Night walk in Andasibe, Analamazaotra National Park, Ilot de Lodge Vakona, Pereyras Reptiles Farms, Tana Panoramic view, Transfer to Ivato aero port, Flying to Mauritius.

Hello,
My wife,son and I had an unforgettable experience with Jean Be in Madagascar.
We plan to recommend him to all our friends and family when we return to Melbourne, Australia. Siddique, Astrid and Jerome Fisher

Wendelin Moser: (06 – 14 November 2015): Antananarivo, the Capital, The descent on Tsiribihina river, Tsingy de Bemaraha, A short visit in Kirindy Forest, The Baobabs Avenue, Morondava, Antsirabe.

I was on a 9 days tour this November. I had a really awesome time and everysthing went perfectly fine! I would defenetly recommend the Tsiribihina river and Tsingy tour with Jean Be Tours. The whole trip was very good organized and we never faced any difficulties. The food on the whole tour was outstanting. Vonjy (sorry if I have written your name wrong) was an awesome guide, competent and really helpfull. Wendelin

Manfred Kassens & Dagmar Kuipers: (16 Oct – 5 Nov 2015): Antananarivo, The Tsiribihina river descent (motor boat and local boat), Tsingy of Bemaraha, Baobab Avenue in Morondava, Ifaty beach, Anakao beach, Arboretum d’Antsokay, Isalo National Park, Zebu Market in Ambalavao, Andringitra National Park, Ranomafana National Park, Night walk in Andasibe, Analamazaotra National Park, Ilot de Lodge Vakona, Pereyras Reptiles Farms, Digue Market in Tana, Ivato aero port (Flying out)

We had 3 fantastic weeks in Madagascar. Everything was perfectly organized by JEAN BE and his company. Our guide Theophile, son of Jean Be, did an excellent job over the whole time. Our driver Mr. Yve was a careful and smart companion. With both we had a lot of fun during the day and in the evenings. The selected local guides in all national Parks had a lot of experience and explained the species and the landscapes in perfect way. All of our suggestions and requests were immediately answered.
When you plan to travel through Madagascar, Jean Be and his team are a perfect choice. They are the best partner to experience his amazing country. When coming back to explore the north and North East part of the Red Island, we will definitely choose Jean Be as our partner!
We say thank you and VELOMA. Dagmar and Manfred

Marna Kritzinger And Martin: (20 – 31 Oct 2015): Antananarivo the Capital, The Tsiribihina river descent by a local boat, The Tsingy of Bemaraha (The Broadway and Andadoany’s circuit), A short visit in Kirindy Forest, Baobabs Avenue in Morondava, Pereyras Reptiles Farms, Night walk in Andasibe, Analamazaotra National Park, Ilot de Lodge Vakona, Antananarivo, Hotel le cheval blanc, Transfer to Ivato aero port, Flying out.

It was an overall good experience!
Well organized and Vonjy was a good guide. Would recommend Jean be Tours to anyone. Martin and Marna

J. TarynJ. Taryn (11 – 20 September 2015): Antananarivo, Tsiribihina river (by local boat), Tsingy of Bemaraha (broad way circuit), sunset on Baobab Avenue, Tana.

I had a really fantastic 10 day private tour of the west of Madagascar with Jeanbe. As a solo travelling women I was immediately put at ease when meeting Jean be at the airport. Jean be was a great guide, my health and safety was always of the utmost importance and he was very accommodating and knowledgeable of the local areas we visited. I will be back to discover north Mada and will not hesitate to have Jeanbe as my guide again. Taryn J – South Africa

Lilia (10 years), Katheleen, Michael (17-24 August 2015): Tana, Tsiribihina river by a motor boat, Tsingy of Bemaraha, Baobab Avenue, Morondava.

If I had to rate the whole tours out of o ! It would be 9.0/10. Because of the friendliness of the staff and especially the boat. The food was OUTSTANDING (Théo), and there was always lots to eat. The guide was knowledgeable, kind, friendly and funny; Big Tsingy was amazing with beautiful views. The boat trip was the best part in my views. The campfires where lot of fun from local music to camping. The crews were funny and kind. The food everywhere you eat is just spectacular. Thanks (THEO) The guide. Lilia, Katheleen and Michael

Vladimir Poposilov and the Globetracker Team (9 – 23 August 2015): Antananarivo, Ilot de Lode Vakona / The Reserve of VOI in Andasibe, Mahambo – Stay in Sainte-Marie (Whale watching), Route of Highlands, Tsiribihina river descent by motor boat and then by local boats, Nosinapela waterfall, The Tsingy of Bemaraha, The Kirindy Forest, Baobab Avenue, Morondava, Antsirabe, The Digeu Market in Antananarivo, Ivato aeroport (Flying out)

For the beginning: thanks for everything, really thank you from the heart. Days spent in Madagascar were really amazing. Madagascar is beautiful, but your organization and energy that has accompanied us the most beautiful things. My group is very happy, I am more happy and I think we’ve made a lot of unforgettable journey. Simply genius for adventure.
Everything we agreed was achieved, and so much more than that.

Very looking forward to coming to Madagascar and again my dear friend. Vladimir

Andreas Karakasis and Maria / Greece : (31 July – 9 August 2015): Antananarivo the Capital, The Tsiribihina river descent by a local boat, Nosinapela waterfall, The Tsingy of Bemaraha (The Broadway and Andadoany,s circuit), The Kirindy Forest, Baobabs Avenue in Morondava, Morondava.

We took the mixed Tsiribihina River and Tsingy de Bemaraha Tours with Jean Be TOURS. It was a unique experience! Totally recommended for those who wish to be away from big tourist packager and mass tourism, and feel the real Madagascar. Our guide Vonjy was always helpful and willing to help in all situations in order to make us feed comfortable.
Andreas and Maria

Rik, Kim, Petra, and Marcel (Madagascar 4 – 28 July 2015): Antananarivo, Tsiribihina river by a motor boat, Tsingy de Bemaraha, Kirindy Forest, Baobab Avenue in Morondava, Belo sur Mer, Ranomafana National Park, Anjaha Reserve, Isalo National Park, Night walk in Andasibe, Analamazaotra National Park, Ilot de Lodge Vakona, Peyreras Reptiles Farms in Marozevo, Antananarivo (the Capital).

We as a family with two children (12 and 15) made a trip with Jean Be Tours going through the western part of the country as well as part of the classic Madagascar trip (going south of Tana to Ranamofana and Isalo and east to Andasibe.

During all of our trip we were guided by Theophile, where in the first part guide Vonji was also helping out. They were both very good, but as Theophile was our main guide, we will comment on his guidance. He was a very knowledgable guide. During our whole travel he was always telling us interesting things about Madagascar, its nature, people and their customs. He would also regularly stop the car at interesting spots on the way to show us how people in Madagascar live. He also arranged our trip in an excellent manner. We always stayed in good hotels and the cars and their drivers were of good quality. The local guides he hired to show us around the national parks were always very good. He clearly helped making this a trip we will never forget. We highly recommend Jean Be Tours to arrange your trip through Madagascar.

Rik, Kim, Petra, and Marcel

Rebecca Manger, Jacob and Charlie (16 – 23 June 2015): Antananarivo, Tsiribihina river by motor boat, Tsingy of Bemaraha, Baobab Avenue in Morondava, Morondava, Antananarivo the Capital.

How fortunate we were to find Jeanbe for our Madagascar adventure. He listened to what we wanted and planned a wonderful trip within our volunteer budgets. In just a week we saw so much – waterfalls and crocodile on the Tsiribihina river, climbing & spelunking at Tsingy of Beharaha and a sunset at Avenue of the Baobabs. When our flight home was cancelled, he rescued us from spending 8 hours at the airport and took us to visit a lemur park and shop around Antananarivo. As a local tour guide, Jeanbe knows Madagascar and has tremendous connections to show you a good time. I felt safe and well taken care of the entire week.

Rebecca

Hans & Stephanie (13 -20 May 2015): Antananarivo the Capital, The Tsiribihina river descent by a local boat, The Tsingy of Bemaraha, Baobabs Avenue in Morondava, Relaxing in Morondava, Antananarivo, the Capital.

Dear Jeanbe,
thank you for the great experience. The trip was beautiful. We really appreciated your flexibility to optimize the tour according our request and your excellent planning and knowledge were very professional. Thanks for your warm hospitality and friendship. We wish you all the best!

Beste Jeanbe,
heel erg bedankt voor de geweldige ervaring. Het was een prachtige reis. De flexibiliteit om de trip volgens onze wensen te maken was geweldig. We hebben genoten van de excellente planning en erg professionele uitleg. Duizend maal bedankt voor de warme ontvangst en vriendschap. We wensen je het allerbeste.

Hans & Stephanie

Nicky – Jem Street – Emma : ( 06 – 13 Mai 2015): The Tsiribihina river descent by local boat, Nosinapela waterfall, The Tsingy of Bemaraha (Broadway and Andadoany’s circuit), Baobab Avenue in Morondava, Morondava.

Nicky
I had a wonderful tour with Jean be. The trip was well organized and the food was excellent .The highlight for me was hiking in the grand Tsingy, the scenery and geology are both spectacular and the hiking is highly adventurous but very safe. Our local guide was very knowledgeable and spoke good English. My only regret is is that I don’t have time in Madagascar.

Jem Street

I ‘m very happy I managed to find Jean Be tours on the internet in the UK as it was good to know I had something organized before I got to Madagascar. The trip has been fantastic with no problems, very friendly staff and guides and the food has been delicious! If my friends or family come to Madagascar I will definitely recommend the take a tour with Jean Be Tours. It was also reassuring that everything about the trip was explained to us before we set off. I really liked that we could be flexible too, so we were able to start our trip in Antsirabe instead of Tana and we able to travel as a group instead of just myself and friend too.

Emma
I have really enjoyed my trip down Tsiribihina river, on to visit the Tsingy and the Baobabs. It has been very well organised which meant I could just sit back and enjoy the trip. We saw some good wild life on the river, lots of birds and Chameleons. The food was always delicious and enormous portions. Liked camping on the sand banks so close to the river. The Tsingy was lots of fun, the views at the tops were well worth the lot climbing up. We also saw lots of lemurs! Our guide has been very polite and knowledgeable. I would recommended the trip to others.

Evgeny (7 – 21 April 2015): Antananarivo, Ifaty beach, L,Arboretum d,Antsokay, Isalo National Park, Andringitra National Park (Antsaramanitra’s circuit), Ranomafana National Park, Tana.

Давно хотел проехать по RN7(National Road)с юго-запада на восток Мадагаскара. Для организации поездки выбрал мадагаскарскую турфирму Jean Be Tours. Стандартный маршрут был отлично адаптирован соответственно моим пожеланиям. Водитель и гид были превосходны. Я чувствовал себя комфортно и хорошо информированным в течение всей поездки. Во время посещения Национальных парков были подобраны квалифицированные местные гиды. Спасибо за хорошую организацию поездки и продолжайте дальше работать на высоком уровне.

Евгений Сметанин, индивидуальный путешественник, Россия

Nastaja NovakNastaja  Novak (4 – 17 March 2015): Ranomafana National Park, Anjaha Reserve, Isalo National Park, L,Arboretum d,Antsokay, Ifaty beach, Morondava , The  Sunset on Baobabs  Avenue, Tana.
MADAGASGAR! Way beyond our expectations, it wouldn’t have been such an amazing trip without the help of our guide Jeanbe and our driver Joary! We saw so many amazing things the nature was superb my personal favorite was the coast. I loved swimming and of course the Lemurs. Jeanbe made it possible to see all the sites we wanted to on our trip. The accommodations were great, and I enjoyed tasting all the Malagsy cuisine and seeing all the fruit and vegetable markets. The culture here is great. We bought way to many cool souvenirs, to much to choose from, we wanted it all! Our bags are now stuffed bursting at the seams, We just wish we had more time here. THANK-YOU again JEANBE for everything you are amazing we will miss you!

Au revoir much love from the Slovenians Daniel and Nastja! Adjio!!

Jason Mayfield: (03 – 07 February 2015): Antananarivo, Lemurs Park Imeritsiatosika, The pereyras reptiles farms, Night walk in Andasibe, Analamazaotra National Park, The V.O.I Reserve in Andasibe, Analamazaotra National Park, Ilot de Lodge Vakona, Antananarivo, Hotel le cheval blanc, Transfer to Ivato aero port.

The tour was so fantastic!
Thanks Jeanbe and Stan.

Jason M.

Matthias and Viviane Matthias Sala and Viviane (12 – 24 January 2015): Antananarivo, Analamazaotra National Park, Night walk in Andasibe, Peyrerars Reptiles Farms, Ranomafana National Park, Anja ha Reserve, Isalo National Park, Arboretum d’Antsokay, Ifaty beach, Antananarivo the Capital.
Jean Be is a very organized and passionate guide. We were picked up at the airport and briefed about the trip details. We quickly the itinerary and then left to see many lemurs, the locals at work and even had time to hang out at the sunny beach of Ifaty. During our stay, a cyclone appeared. Luckily, Jean Be was able to organize an alternative program and a different route to get us around the center of the cyclone. We only had one day of rain.

So, Jean Be is the perfect guide, takes his role seriously and we felt save at all times.
Matthias and Viviane, Zurich (Switzerland)

Annie and Lawrence (25 October -16 November 2014): Antananarivo, Tsiribihina river, Tsingy of Bemaraha, Kirindy Forest, Baobab Avenue in Morondava, Ifaty beach, Anakao beach, L,Arboretum d’Antsokay, Isalo National Park, Anjaha Reserve, Andringitra National Park (Peak Boby), Anjaha Reserve, Ranomafana National Park, Peyreras Reptiles Farms, Analamazaotra National Park, Ilot de Lodge Vakona, Antananarivo.
I hope you are well and recovered from our tour. I’d like to thank you again, it was such a fantastic trip and I will remember it always! I’ve made a post on trip advisor, and also here’s something for your website…

“I’ve just returned from a fantastic three weeks in Madagascar with Jean Be. We combined a west coast river trip with a south tour plus Andringitra. I found Jean to be well-organized, thoughtful, flexible, and fun to travel with. Wherever we went, it was clear he did what he could to support the local community, and I was really pleased that we chose to book with a local operator for this reason. Our vehicles were spacious, and we had no mechanical problems. At each park, Jean had a relationship with a respected local guide and we found them all excellent. The hotels Jean chose were very nice, friendly and good value. I can highly recommend a trip to this amazing country with JeanBe. Thank you!”

It’s hard to improve on such a great trip. But I know you’ll always be working on improving on your tours, so I have two small suggestions. It might be good to include in your trip itinerary/info a guide to tipping. All your guests come from different countries with different tipping cultures, and it’s hard to know who is expecting a tip and how much is appropriate. For yourself I don’t think you need to be specific, because everyone expects to tip a personal guide, but maybe some guidance about restaurants, porters, drivers, local guides etc. would be useful. My other suggestion is about airport pick-up. After booking a trip somewhere exciting like Madagascar, probably the most stressful time is arriving at the airport, especially if it’s late at night. It’s great to be met as we were, but I would suggest the transfer be prepaid so new clients don’t need to worry about using Ariary straight away or negotiating price.

All in all, it was an amazing trip. Thanks you so much! I hope to see you again one day.

Annie and Lawrence

IRENIren (1- 11 October 2014): Tsiribihina river, Tsingy of Bemarah, Kirindy Forest, Baobab Avenue, Belo sur Mer
The tour with Jean Be was a lot of fun. All the main attractions, including the Tsiribihina river, Tsingy de Bemehara park and Kirindy park, exceeded the expectation with beautiful scenery and good guided tours for spotting many different animals. It was nice to have a range of different type of accommodation and transport to experience Malagasy life. The food that was included was always excellent and plentiful. Jean also speaks good English and is always willing to answer any questions and talk about life in Madagascar. I would definetly recommend his service for arranging a tour in Madagascar. Iren

Petra und Gunther (26 October – 1 November 2014): Antsirabe, Tsiribihina river (by a motor boat and a local boat), Tsingy of Bemaraha, Baobab Avenue in Morondava, Morondava.
Es war eine tolle Tour! Jean, unser Guide, war sehr gut organisiert, alles klappte wie am Schnuerchen und genau so wie angekuendigt. Er hat sich immer um uns gekuemmert und ist auf all unsere Wuensche eingegangen. Wir hatten eine tolle Zeit, dankeschoen! Petra und Gunther

Simone and Mathias (1- 28 October 2014): Antananarivo, Tsiribihina river,Tsingy de Bemaraha, Kirindy Forest, Baobab Avenue, Belo sur Mer, Manja, Andavadoaka, Ifaty beach, L,Arboretum d’Antsokay, Isalo National Park, Andringitra National Park (Peak Boby), Anjaha Reserve, The train ride to Manakara, Pangalana channels in Manakara, Ranomafana National Park, Peyreras Reptiles Farms, Analamazaotra National Park, Ilot de Lodge Vakona, Antananarivo the capital.
Mit Jean Be zu reisen, ist … schwierig zu sagen. Wir hatten noch nie einen so traumhaften, unvergesslichen und abenteurlichen Urlaub. Dabei hatten wir so ein sicheres Gefuehl, als ob wir durch Deutschland reisen wuerden. Alles war sehr gut geplant und Jean wusste ueber alle lokalen Gegebenheiten Bescheid, sogar eine spontane Aenderung der Tour unsererseits war bestens moeglich. Ihr muesst euch nichts denken, wenn ihr ersten E-Mail-Kontakt habt und evtl. eine Anzahlung an ihn ueberweisen sollt. Kam uns zunaechst auch suspekt vor. Aber wir haben den Schritt gewagt und nichts bereut. Alles war so, wie vorab per E-Mail besprochen. Wir wuerden jederzeit wieder mit Jean Be reisen.

Wir haben uebrigens die Tour Madagascar Azur gemacht und waren 30 Tage mit Jean Be unterwegs. Er war immer sehr zuvorkommend und stets sehr korrekt. Ihr koennt ihm wirklich in allen Belangen vertrauen. Auch seine Englisch-Kenntnisse sind fuer deutsche Verhaeltnisse sehr gut.

Kommt nach Madagaskar !!! Ist ein unglaubliches Land!!!

Simone und Mathias

Greta RomanoGreta Romano: (6 – 27 September 2014): Descent on Tsiribihina river on a Motor boat, Tsingy of Bemaraha, Kirindy Forest, Baobabs Avenue, Ranomafana National Park,Train to Manakara, Pangalana Channel in Manakara, Andringitra National Park, Anjaha Reserve, Isalo National Park, Anakao Beach, Analamazaotra National Park, Ilot de Lodge Vakona, Antananarivo the Capital.

THANKS Jeanbe and Hery.
Greta Romano

Amy Johnson
Amy Johnson and Mum: (23 Aout – 6 September 2014): Tsiribihina river, Tsingy of Bemaraha, Kirindy Forest, Ranomafana National Park, Andringitra National Park (Peak Boby), Anjaha Reserve, Pereyras Reptiles Farms, Ilot de Lodge Vakona, Analamazaotra National Park.

Jeanbe did a great job of looking after my mum and I for 2 weeks in Madagascar. We saw so much of the great country, and felt safe every step of the way!
Thanks,
Amy Johnson and Mum

Taryn VoigtTaryn Voigt: (20 – 27 September 2014): Nosy be, Nosy Sakatia, Antananarivo the Capital

It was a great holiday!
Taryn Voigt

Emily Lioyd and Josh: (25 August until 3 September 2014): Ranomafana National Park, Tsingy of Bemaraha, Baobab Avenue, Antananarivo the Capital.

Merci Beaucoup Jeanbe, Vonjy and Hery
Emily Lioyd and Josh

Marike Mersch: (2 – 4 August 2014): Descent on Tsiribihina river by a local boat, Baobab Avenue, Morondava.

Dear Jeanbe,
Thank you for organizing this great trip.
The service was excellent, every minute of the trip, the food was very good and more than enough, the scenery was very beautiful. Very relaxing trip, we are really happy.
Best regards.
Marike Mersch

Asgeir Thor Oskarsson: (18 – 24 July 2014): Descent on the Tsiribihina river by a local boat, Tsingy of Bemaraha, Baobab Avenue, Morondava.

Go Raibh Maith Agat An Méid Sin Jeanbe

Asgeir Thor Oskarsson

Aneta Janowiak and Makgorzata: (Descent on the Tsiribihina river by a local boat,Tsingy of Bemaraha,Baobabs Avenue,Morondava,The Anjaha Reserve,Isalo National Park,Ranomafana National Park,Pangalana Channel in Manakara,Ilot de Lodge Vakona,Analamazaotra National Park,Pereyras Reptiles Farms,Antananarivo the Capital.

Dzięki tak dużo Jeanbe.

Aneta Janowiak and Makgorzata

Stephie and EricStephie and Eric (5 May until 9 May 2014) – Tsiribihina river, Baobab Avenue, Morondava.

We booked a weeklong tour with Jean Be Tours. It was one of the more inexpensive options we could find, and Jean definitely did not disappoint us. We would highly recommend his company for adventurous and authentic tours in Madagascar. See our website: Thewanderingsoles.com

Misaotra Betsaka Jeanbe Sy Naina Stephie and Eric

Alon Shats / Ho Shi Yeung / Heung Chun Yin / Chu Cheuk Man / Lee Kit Ming (09-22 Mai 2014): Antananarivo the Capital – The Tsiribihina river descent by a motor boat – The Tsingy of Bemaraha – Kirindy Forest – Baobabs Avenue in Morondava – Relaxing in Morondava – Ranomafana National Park – Night walk in Andasibe – Analamazaotra National Park – Ilot de Lodge Vakona – Peyreras Reptiles Farms – Digue Market – Ivato aero port – Flying out.

Guau! No podría comenzar a describir la experiencia de pasear por Madagascar con Jeanbe. No solamente los lugares son maravillosos (hice un paseo de 14 días por el sur, sur-oeste y este de la isla), sino Jeanbe hizo lo imposible para que tenga la mejor experiencia posible… Los alojamientos que eligió eran perfectos, nos cocinó MUY rica comida en el río, nos llevó a almorzar en lugares típicos magalasy (baratos y muy limpios), y mucho más… Sencillamente se dedicó en cada momento de cada detalle. Lo recomiendo 1000% y no hay forma que vuelva a Madagascar sin pasear con él.

Alon Shats

If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email. If you want to read more recent reviews, visit Tripadvisor.