Marvelous Madagascar

The beautiful island of Madagascar can be found about 400km from the African coastline.  Madagascar is the fourth largest island stretching 1571 km by 571km.  Its natural diversity can be found in the mountains, deserts, rainforests and beaches.

As a result of the island’s isolation, most of the wildlife, half of the birdlife and most of the plants are absolutely unique to Madagascar – nowhere else in the world to be found. Lemurs, dwarf chameleons, tomato frogs and giant jumping rats are just a few of the island’s unique inhabitants.

Antanarivo is the country’s capitol city and a must see for a first time visitor.  Here you will get a feel of the island’s unique culture and hospitality.  The Lemur Park in Antanarivo is a tourist attraction.
From Antanarivo is suggested that a visitor should go to Sainte Marie Island north east of the main island of Madagascar.  This island is a mere 60km by 7km and used to be a pirate’s haven.  Divers will experience the marine world at its most exquisite here, with whale watching possible from July to September.

Nosy Be Island is also known as the perfume island of Madagascar with the lovely smell of ylang-ylang permeating the air. Nosy Be is on the north west coast of Madagascar and has 11 extinct volcanoes.  Boasting with 12 months of sunshine this is a wonderful diver’s destination with Nosy Tanikely with its marine sanctuary a must see!  Nosy Komba is close by and is known as the Lemur Island.

Morondava is on the drier west coast of Madagascar.  This area is known as Baobab country. These beautiful trees have been many an artist’s inspiration over centuries and are everywhere to see.  Rather than diving, Morondava attracts tourists interested in fishing and river expeditions.

Diego Suarez is on the northern tip of Madagascar.  This scenic area is known for the amber mountain and the extinct volcanoes.  The area is covered by rainforests, craters and waterfalls.

The Perinet Rainforest gives a different experience to a tourist usually attracted to tropical islands.  Here, far from the beaches, nature can be experienced in all its glory and uniqueness that Madagascar can offer.  There are some wonderful tours and accommodation available in this forest that spans over 12000 hectare.

Unfortunately with all that this island has to offer, there are also some drawbacks.  Here you will not have the luxury accommodation that you might have come to expect from tropical holiday destinations. This poor community are also often in turmoil and fighting between the different political sectors within the country.  Beside the dangers associated with a semi-war zone, malaria, rift valley fever, bilharzia, TB and rabies are medical dangers not alien to Madagascar.