In a world where hotel rates rise faster than sourdough starters in lockdown, here’s a slice of good news baked with humility and heart: Mandrare River Camp and Namoroka Tsingy Camp will not increase their rates in 2026. That’s right—not a single ariary more.
While other safari lodges look at the cost-of-living ladder with binoculars, Madagascar Classic Collection has taken a refreshingly grounded approach. In a rare union of commercial sense and conservation spirit, the group is keeping its luxury experiences accessible without short-changing the wild wonders of Madagascar.
“We’re holding our rates as a thank-you to the travel trade and a tribute to our guests,” said a Madagascar Classic Collection spokesperson, probably while sipping bush tea under a baobab tree. “Our focus remains fixed on delivering unforgettable moments, guided with soul and served with genuine Malagasy warmth.”
The Price Is Right, But the Mission’s Bigger
Before you cancel your subscriptions to cynicism, note this: there will be one increase—a modest USD $20 daily conservation levy at Namoroka Tsingy Camp. But even that comes with a noble purpose and a poetic backstory that would make David Attenborough misty-eyed.
The funds are earmarked for Wildlife Madagascar, the bush-savvy NGO spearheading conservation at Namoroka National Park—a geological freakshow of razor-edged limestone spires, home to lemurs, bats and other creatures that look like they were sketched on a hangover.
-
- Namoroka Tsingy Camp – tent exterior
-
- Namoroka Tsingy Camp – Tent
-
- Namoroka Tsingy Camp – Coffee with baobab
Here’s what that extra twenty bucks a day helps fund:
-
A lemur-led reforestation nursery: Using seeds dropped (quite literally) by lemurs and bats, native trees are being regrown with some of the cheekiest pollinators on the planet.
-
A 60-kilometre firebreak: To protect this Jurassic-looking landscape from wildfires, a hand-hewn barrier is being built—a line in the sand, or this case, the tsingy.
-
A socioeconomic survey and education drive: Because saving the land means engaging those who live on it, local communities are shaping conservation strategies. At the same time, school kids learn why their lemurs matter more than imported snacks.
In short, it’s eco-tourism with teeth—and a tail.
-
- Mandrare River Camp – Main Area
-
- Mandrare River Camp – Tents Exterior
-
- Mandrare River Camp – Tents Bedroom
From Luxury to Legacy, via Herbie
If you’re wondering who to call to get your clients in before the rest of the world realises the rates haven’t budged, look no further than Herbie Rosenberg, Australia’s de facto safari whisperer and head honcho at Africa Reps.
Representing a continent’s worth of wild perfection—Londolozi, Great Plains Conservation, Royal Zambezi Lodge, The Victoria Falls Hotel and more—Herbie’s got the experience, the accent, and the Rolodex to turn any African holiday into a Hemingway-worthy epic.
📱 +61 (0) 410 22 55 80
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.africareps.com
A Final Thought from the Tsingy
In an increasingly commoditised travel landscape, it’s good to know there are still places—and people—who hold fast to deeper values. Madagascar Classic Collection’s refusal to hike prices isn’t just generous; it’s quietly rebellious—a stand for value with values.
It’s also proof that when done right, travel can plant trees, fund firebreaks, and teach kids why a lemur’s leftovers are priceless.
And that, dear reader, is a rate worth locking in.
