Introducing MadagasCaT Charters & Travel: Expert Tour Operator in South Africa

Harriet Millson (Joao) brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to MadagasCaT Charters & Travel.

With years of experience in the tourism industry and an unwavering passion for Madagascar, Harriet has made it her mission to showcase the wonders of this extraordinary country to visitors from around the world.

With MadagasCaT Charters & Travel, you can rest assured that your journey will be seamless and stress-free. From the moment you land in Madagascar until your departure, our attentive team will handle all the logistics, ensuring that you can focus solely on creating cherished memories.

Our extensive network of trusted partners and accommodations ensures that you experience the finest hospitality, comfort, and safety throughout your trip.
Furthermore, MadagasCaT Charters & Travel is committed to sustainable and responsible tourism. We strive to minimize our ecological impact, support local communities, and contribute to the preservation of Madagascar's natural and cultural heritage. We believe that through tourism, we can foster genuine connections, promote understanding, and make a positive difference in the places we visit.
Harriet’s journey began with an innocent holiday with friends to a place we had barely heard of in 2006. Madagascar?? This followed with another holiday in 2007 with our four teenage daughters and it was on this occasion that our lives were to change forever.

Our second holiday was on Yacht Calypso and whilst the skipper was South African there was a charismatic deckhand called Albert (silent T).

We revisited and repeated the same holiday with mates until, early 2008, we asked Albert if he would be prepared to skipper a catamaran if we sent one over. The deal was made and Yacht Gecko arrived in Nosy Be in June 2008.

Our reasons behind this were partly based on knowing a good opportunity when we saw one but far, far more than that - it was Albert.

Albert, skipper of Yacht Gecko

Our very first expression of gratitude and love has to go to this remarkable little Malagasy man with a huge heart. It was Albert that lit the flame of the love affair that we have had with Madagascar, her people and her diversity, for 14 years.

Albert - it was your laugh, your stories, your obvious knowledge of the waters around Nosy Be gathered since you were a small boy hiding in a mangrove tree! We have had some great adventures together. So many laughs. So many tears. It was a tough journey at times but one I hope you enjoyed as much as we did. My favourite memory is of you and I standing on the dock of Mahajanga when Gecko was stuck at sea. I remember thinking “I wish my parents could see me now. Standing on a foreign dock at 4 in the morning with a little Malagasy man trying to find a fishing boat to go out into the Mozambique Channel to rescue my husband and our new boat”.

You are truly one of the most remarkable humans I have had the privilege to call my friend. And your family will always be mine. Thank you Albert. Misaotra betsaka anao namako manokana. I am heartbroken at your untimely passing. You will forever be in my heart.

Gareth and Hannetjie Walters - love and dedication

In 2009 we had met this South African couple on Ile aux Nattes. They escaped the rat race that was Johannesburg and bought a piece of land on the island. Hannetjie had started a Day Spa which was successful. Gareth’s dream was to run kayak safaris circumnavigating Ile Sainte Marie.

We partnered up with them and sent beautiful two man kayaks to Madagascar. The tours took off and were becoming extremely popular when a tragedy took place and Gareth and Hannetjie were brutally murdered in 2010.

This is a VERY rare occurrence in Madagascar and to demonstrate how loved and valued they were on the island the people allowed them to be buried in the local cemetery. The first white people to have been buried there.

Our Madagascar journey would not be complete without mentioning these two.

Bert Spalding - a dedication of love and gratitude

Bert, unintentionally, featured in our lives BEFORE our first trip to Madagascar. A friend had insisted that we book “Bert on Bounder”. Bounder was a very basic charter boat. But the friends we were travelling with insisted on a little more luxury thus we did not meet him on this trip.

Bert appeared in person on our second trip to Madagascar as he was ‘guest sitting’ for his friend - the owner of the lodge we stayed at.

Bert and MadagasCaT crossed paths many times, often at Nandi Po in Hellville.

When we decided to send another catamaran to Nosy Be we asked Bert to skipper her. Thus Maki Cat arrived in Nosy Be and was soon filled with guests.

Bert left us to start his dream of running kayak safaris from Nosy Komba. These too were becoming very successful when Bert met an untimely death in 2019.

So, here’s to you Bert! You were a legend in so many ways and the people of Nosy Komba and all the travellers you entertained and looked after will remember you fondly.

marie and tony steinhobel - gratitude and love

After mentioning Bert it would not be right to leave these two amazing people out. Marie and Tony volunteered as crew to take Maki Cat to Madagascar. Without them (Marie in particular) it is possible that Maki would still be en route to Nosy Be! Once she arrived safely Marie and Tony spend another two weeks doing some essential work on the boat and since then have become very dear friends. Thank you - both, especially for all the polishing!

Marie and Tony were eventually married on board Maki Cat.

Partnership with Airlink - pride

Flying to Madagascar was always a challenge - particularly for us agents as usually the cheapest option was to fly with Air Madagascar, either direct to Nosy Be, or via Tana. Airlink did fly to Tana daily but to fly in with Airlink meant passengers had to pay full price for any domestic air travel they needed.

When Air Madagascar stopped flying to and from Johannesburg the fare to get to Nosy Be, and other destinations across the island became extortionately expensive.

The lodges and charter companies in Nosy Be were stranded. No South African was going to pay up to R18 000 return!

In January of 2016 MadagasCaT entered into negotiations with Airlink. An agreement was reached between us that, if Airlink resumed their direct flight from Johannesburg to Nosy Be, (they had a direct flight which came to an end due to the 2009 coup) we would guarantee 20 seats on every flight for the first three months! We believed it worth the risk and towards the end of March 2016 we were aboard the inaugural flight to Nosy Be.

Airlink now flies weekly to Nosy Be and, in peak season, a 2nd flight is added.

We would like to thank Airlink for putting their trust in us and hope that you have never regretted the decision to serve and support the people of Nosy Be.

The pen is mightier…..pride

I discovered the power of the written word when we were still holidaying on Yacht Calypso. I think it was Go! or Getaway magazine that had just featured an article about the Dhow Safaris around Nosy Be. I wrote a letter to the magazine talking about a more comfortable, luxurious way to explore the islands around Nosy Be. The letter was published and a few months later the owner of the boat called me to offer us a free charter in gratitude for all the business that letter had brought them!

Since then I have used that power for our own benefit and am proud to say I have had articles published in a few travel magazines and newspapers.

Helping the people in the Deep South of Madagascar - Famine. Hope.

In 2009 I heard that Riaan Manser was paddling around Madagascar - alone and unaided. I had read his amazing book - Around Africa on my Bicycle - and noted the credit he had given to those that had helped him on that massive challenge.

We contacted his manager, Seamus Reynolds, and offered Yacht Gecko to Riaan to take a weeks break when he reached Nosy Be. We also oversaw and partly arranged his welcoming party at Tamatave for his return to the starting point.

As a result we were honoured with a full chapter in his book “Around Madagascar on my Kayak”.

Riaan and MadagasCaT are in the early stages of putting together a project to assist the people of the Deep South who are suffering terrible famine due to climate change. Watch this space!