Scam by guides in Masoala Park

Hi everyone, although I’m still in love with Madagascar, I feel I must report the unacceptable behavior of some guides in Antalaha. I know I’m responsible—I obviously shouldn’t have paid in advance for a service at this price. As someone who usually travels on a budget, I treated myself to a fully guided experience for once. I was charged 1,500,000 ariary for a 4-day trek between Antalaha and Maroantsetra. In reality, it was a total scam: terrible logistics, a motorbike taxi that abandoned us along the way (I’m not sure if the guide arranged this just to squeeze out a bit more money), basic Malagasy bush meals—which I expected since I know the country well—but the hotels were absolutely disgusting: mouse droppings in the bed, no way to get a blanket, cigarette butts on the floor, and of course, no water. I had warned them that at 73 years old, I needed a bit of comfort and some consideration—that’s why I paid this price. In the end, to arrive a day early and get home faster, on the second day we walked from 5:30 AM to 4:30 PM with just a long siesta break at 1 PM. The park visit was nonexistent—I would’ve liked to see a lemur! Anyway, be especially wary of Sylvano. He’s apparently the head of the guides in Antalaha and organized this "charming" trip for me. He canceled the day before and sent his replacement, Théophile. This poor guy kept complaining that tourists were scarce. I didn’t tell him everything I was thinking when we parted ways—it would’ve taken too long. So, remember these two names: Sylvano and Théophile. The official rate is 800,000 ariary, and even that is way too much given the quality of the accommodations and food. I’ve marked the guides’ office location on Google Maps to deal with them directly, but it seems the mafia is well-organized here…

Hi, Unfortunately, these kinds of things have been happening for several years in Antalaha and Sambava. My wife and I traveled from Antalaha to Mananara Nord in 1998, and the owner (both he and his wife have since passed away) warned me about this. He helped me find an unofficial guide who knew the mountain crossing well, and it was great. But in these two towns where the money from vanilla has gone to everyone’s heads, you really need to be careful. We were scammed too when we did a two-day trip to Andapa. On the way back, the 4L had practically no brakes, and we ended up descending the river!!!! I should mention that from Sambava to Andapa on the way there, it’s all coastal roads, and on the way back, it’s an uninterrupted descent!!