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Madagascar – situated off the southeast coast of Africa – has a population of 16.9 million and the capital city is Antananarivo. The languages spoken are French and Malagasy. Madagascar is the 4th largest island in the world, and has been termed a “biodiversity hotspot” by ecologists, as 80% of the plant and animal species are unique to the island which is the consequence of its 80 million year isolation.

It barely qualifies as part of Africa as the countries are separated by hundreds of kilometers of sea and 165 million years evolution which is long enough for Madagascar’s plants and animals to evolve into some of the weirdest forms on the planet. No other place in the world consist over 70 varieties of lemur, including one that sounds like a police siren, the world’s biggest and smallest chameleons, and the last stomping ground of the elephant bird, the largest bird that ever lived.
Near Ifaty in Southern Madagascar you will see forests of twisted, spiny ‘octopus’ trees. Be on the look out for the carnivorous pitcher plant found around Ranomafana, there are over 60 varieties of them. Not for nothing is Madagascar regarded as the world’s number one conservation priority.
Madagascar consists mainly of a block of crystalline rocks. It is generally described as a plateau, rising sharply from the narrow plain of the east coast and descending in a series of steps to the strip of sedimentary rocks along the west coast. The high plateau is much indented and on the eastern edge, cut by deep gorges and waterfalls. There are numerous volcanic outcrops that produce heights over 6,000 ft (the highest point being Tsaratanan, at 9,450 ft) and two former volcanic areas, Ankaratra and Andringingtra, which are over 8,500 ft.
The eastern coast is almost straight and has very few anchorages. Behind its coral beaches there is an almost continuous line of lagoons from Foulpointe to Farafrandana.

The wildlife is astounding. There are 223 species of amphibians of which 221 are endemic. Out of the 340 species of reptiles, 314 are endemic. 2/3 of the 100 species of true chameleons are to be found on the island. There are some 240 species of birds on the island and half of them are endemic. Perhaps it has the planet’s highest endemic ratio of birds. Five bird families are unique to Madagascar. 97% of its mammals are endemic. There are some 131 species of mammals of which 31 belong to the bat phylum and all of which, except 12, are endemic.
One cannot say how many species of lemurs there are in Madagascar today because between 1997 and 2006 some 15 new species have been found in its forests. The list runs up to 75 species as of now, though some 15 species have gone extinct. Some of these extinct species may have been the size of a gorilla. Today some of the known species are in danger of extinction and others are vulnerable.

The island of Madagascar offers a variety of possibilities for the adventurer and the seeker of new experiences. Every visitor finds the ideal vacation thanks to the different climate and area zones on offer on this fascinating island. Adventure seekers find an excellent area to indulge their pleasures there.
Madagaskar offers great fishing possibilities in Belo Tsiribihina, Morondava, Mitsio island, Nosy Be island, Sakatia island, Sainte Marie island, Ifaty, Anakao and also in Fort Dauphin. These are only the best known.
Great fishing possibilities are offered in Belo. Some anglers who have gone to these regions thought it was a paradise and even an improvement on Mauritius, which is particularly renowned for fishing.
Mountaineering is great in Tsaratanana Mountains, the Tsingy D’Ankarana and the Tsingy de Bemaraha.
Also, discover the grottoes of Andranoboka at Mahajanga, the caves of Andavadoaka at Morombe, the grottoes of Sarodrano at Anakao, at Mahasoabe near Fianarantsoa and many caves in the Tsingy of Ankarana.

Opportunities to go river rafting with a rubber dinghy are offered just the same as tours by dug-out canoe or river steamer. Well known is the adventurous river journey of Miandrivazo to the west coast on the Tsiribihina river.
For fans of horse back riding there is the possibility to hire a horse and to explore and enjoy the area on its back. Best places for this activity are Antananarivo, Antsirabe, Mahavelona, Mantasoa, Tamatave and Ramena
The popular windsurfing is already possible at very many organized sites on Nosy Be and Sainte Marie.
Well-equipped diving centres can be found on the island of Nosy Be, at Sakatia, Sainte Marie, Anakaoa, Ifaty, Belo Tsiribihina and Morondava. The hotels of Sainte Marie and some plants at the coast send boats out with well-informed skippers for whale observation from July till October.
There are many options for wandering and trekking due to the different landscape zones, so that for every taste something is available. Examples of beautiful walks include the Tsingy d’Ankarana, from Apefy to the Lily waterfall, along Canal de Pangalanes in Abohitsara, and the many walks in the separate reservations.
Highly recommended walks are the smugglers path of the Lac Alaotra, the Masoala trek of Maroantsetra, trekking routes in the Isalo National Park and also in the sacred Andringitra mountains where adventurous travellers can climb the Pic Boby which is the second highest mountain of Madagascar and offers some of the best trekking on the island. Explore!

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