Madagascar is a beautiful natural oasis of contrasting landscapes teeming with unusual animals, birds and amazing plant life.
Its rainforest, sheer mountains, semi-desert regions and palm-fringed beaches are home to a phenomenal selection of flora and fauna which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The island is particularly well-known for its dancing lemurs and self-destructing palms. Madagascar is an absolute haven for nature lovers and keen zoologists.
Did you know?
- Madagascar’s climate varies throughout the island. The south and west coasts are dry, while the east is generally wetter and is home to a coastal rainforest.
- The wet season here is much like the rest of southern Africa, with rains from November through to March. The island may also experience cyclones.
- It is advisable to take warm clothes for the winter months and evenings especially in the mountainous areas. A raincoat is a good idea at all times of the year.
- Isalo National Park is well worth a visit, with amazing rock formations, spectacular canyons and natural swimming holes.
- The infrastructure is poor with bad roads and weather, there are internal flights, but they don’t always run on time. Take a deep breath and go with the flow!
- Ankarafantsika National Park has 800 tree species, eight lemurs, endemic chameleons 129 bird species over half are Madagascar endemics.
- Ranomafana is part of Madagascar’s Rainforests of the Atsinanana World Heritage Site. The 417km² montane forest’s varied altitudes hide rare mountaintop flora and many species of orchids, as well as 12 lemur species, chameleons and mongooses.
- Take a rickshaw around Antsirabe to discover the cathedral, the French colonial buildings, the thermal baths and the great Saturday market with lovely handcrafts.
- Ifaty is Madagascar’s one-stop-shop for whale watching, diving and the spiny forest.
- Nosy Be is one of the islands of the Mitsio archipelago off the northern tip of Madagascar. This exotic island’s beaches, wildlife and water-based activities make it Madagascar’s most popular holiday spot.
- Madagascar boasts more than 11,000 endemic plant species, including seven species of baobab tree.
- Scientific studies from 1999 to 2010, discovered 615 new species in Madagascar, including 41 mammals and 61 reptiles.
- You can visit one of Feedback Madagascar’s community projects who work hand in hand with some of the poorest communities to improve their lives and protect the environment. www.feedbackmadagascar.net