From March 19–22, 2026, the Détours Madagascar teams came together for a landmark seminar held across two locations rich with meaning: the Akanin'ny Fitiavana farm school in Bembary Andaingo, then Le Relais du naturaliste in Vohimana, nestled in the heart of a pristine primary forest. We were forty strong — office staff, guides from across Madagascar, driver-guides, and trackers from the Makay whose presence left a particularly powerful mark — gathered for four days of immersion, collective reflection, and commitment, all guided by a profound conviction: a crucial new chapter in Détours' evolution, equal to the challenges of a world in full transformation.

It all began Thursday morning, when the first participants gathered outside the Détours offices before heading out toward Moramanga and then Bembary.
Arriving at the site set the tone immediately. Guided by Aurélia, who champions this project with unwavering dedication, the tour of the Akanin'ny Fitiavana farm school — meaning Nest of Love in Malagasy — revealed a project of remarkable coherence, rooted in the Alaotra Mangoro region.

Early childhood education, educational farm, community development: this place will offer children from the most underprivileged backgrounds a genuine chance at a fairer future. Construction is progressing, and opening is expected within less than a year — a prospect that infused the visit with particular energy, that of promises taking shape before our eyes.
Détours Madagascar supports this project with conviction, already giving travelers the chance to contribute directly — through funding, by sponsoring a child, or simply through their mindful presence. It is here, in this still-unfinished nest, that the seminar's founding idea takes on its full meaning: responsible tourism is not decreed, it is built, gesture by gesture, encounter by encounter.

On Friday, the second group arrived in Vohimana, and the seminar got down to business with the key theme of sensitive natural sites.
The Makay massif served as our case study: a magnificent yet threatened landscape that perfectly illustrates the tensions between responsible tourism development, preservation, and threats.
Détours Madagascar, which has invested in this region for years, shared its initiatives: training local teams, raising awareness of eco-friendly practices, and strengthening community ownership. An approach you'll find across all our territories, where ecosystem preservation and respect for local communities lie at the heart of everything we do.

The discussions were rich — guides and office and field teams alike — centered on best practices to adopt: systematic briefings before each departure, daily eco-friendly habits, waste management, mindful use of water and energy. Learning that happens both through conversation and shared experience.

Saturday deepened these issues with the question of Travelife certification, which Détours Madagascar actively pursues. Travelife is one of the most recognized international certifications in the sustainable tourism sector, built on rigorous audits of operators' social, environmental, and ethical practices.
For Détours, committing to this process is far more than acquiring a label: it's asserting a position in a rapidly changing global market, gaining credibility with demanding partners and travelers, and opening new commercial horizons. The afternoon was then devoted to co-creating an internal ethical charter — environmental, social, and professional commitment — a true shared compass for the months ahead.

This Madagascar seminar echoes far beyond the island itself. For Détours also maintains a vibrant presence in Algeria, Mauritania, Kenya, and Tanzania-Zanzibar — lands of adventure and encounter where the same convictions guide every team, every guide, every journey. From desert to desert, from forest to coral archipelago, one vision flows through it all: that of responsible tourism that respects people, preserves environments, and builds lasting bonds between travelers and the communities that welcome them.

Sunday came with a 5 a.m. wake-up, camp broken down, and an early morning hike through the Vohimana forest. A fitting way to close this seminar as it had been lived: feet in nature, minds in motion.

Here's to an excellent 2026 season for the entire Détours team!