Tahiana SAMOELINIRINA

I worked as a freelancer before truly settling with Détours. This is an agency where you want to give your best because it values collective success. Teamwork plays a major role, and we receive both technical and ethical training that helps us evolve as individuals and as representatives of the agency.  

You'll mainly find me on Détours Madagascar’s off-the-beaten-path journeys, as a friend, a professional, and as some travelers who've stayed in my heart say: "a man with endless joy, always ready to take on the road." Let’s love life, travel, and share!

Tahiana, driver-guide at Détours Madagascar

Chinese Portrait

If I were a region, I would be Atsimo Andrefana (the southwest) for its abundance of baobabs that remind us we're part of Africa, and for its beaches and lagoons, the most beautiful in Madagascar, in my opinion.  

If I were a village, I would be Antoetra, near Ambositra, for its landscapes and the people’s work surrounding the unique Zafimaniry craftsmanship, a skill listed as a UNESCO World Heritage.  

If I were a landscape, I would be the sunset in the west, for the colors that reflect between the baobabs, trees that are especially dear to me, as they are the first symbol of Madagascar in my mind.  

If I were a plant, I would be a jacaranda, because it's a plant that you forget and wait for at the same time. It blooms once a year, in October, reminding us that beautiful things do exist.  

If I were an endemic animal, I would be a Fosa, the only fierce animal in Madagascar.  

If I were a month of the year, I would be May, as it’s the time of year when it’s warm without rain, a month of holidays, of the best adventures, and the period when I always fear the tide between Morondava and Belo-sur-Mer—will it allow me to make the journey: The Western Madagascar: navigation on the Tsiribihina River, the Tsingy of Bemaraha, Morondava, and Belo Sur Mer?  

If I were a means of transport, I would be a zebu cart, the first means of transport used in Madagascar, and I particularly appreciate the skill of the people in taming animals to make them useful for specific tasks.  

If I were a piece of clothing or hiking boots, I would make hikes more enjoyable, offering a bit of comfort to determined people.  

If I were a natural element, I would be water because it gives life.  

If I were a travel accessory, I would be a knife, which I use for many things, even the most unexpected ones, like untangling ropes.  

If I were food, I would be koba, the famous Malagasy cake you won't miss when traveling with me. I particularly love the pistachio koba or the rice koba because they're nutritious, filling even in small quantities, and a source of protein as some contain bananas.  

If I were a sound, I would be the rustling of leaves, because it calls to us when we are in nature.  

If I were a language, I would be the Antandroy language, a complex and surprising language that I enjoy repeating and trying when I travel to the land of the Mahafaly and Antandroy (a tribe from the far south who live in thorny areas).  

If I were a sport, I would be walking or marathon running, even though I do it little, because it helps blood circulation in the body.  

If I were a quality, I would be joy, as I love being in joy, sharing it, and making others, especially one person in particular, love life.  

If I were a flaw, I would be impatience.  

If I were a Malagasy personality, I would be Eric Manana, because he loves to tell stories and convey the best of Madagascar and life through his songs: our culture, the life of Malagasy people, and the country itself, with conviction and harmony.