Why
Travel to Madagascar?
The
fourth largest island in the world, tropical Madagascar has an astounding
selection of fascinating plant and wildlife species, 80% of which
are unique to the country.
It also has weird burial sites and customs, off-planet rock formations
and good beaches with diving and snorkelling locations.
What the place doesn't have is too many tourists! Yet.
Downsides:
- Public transport is unreliable and some grasp of French is vital
for individual travellers, so horrible as it may seem, consider
a package tour if you have special interests and/or limited time
in Madagascar.
- Appalling deforestation [85% gone up in smoke].
- Crime is on the up, especially in Antananarivo [Tana], so observe Safety suggestions.
- It can get extremely hot [I recorded 61C/142F there once, in the
shade].
- Malaria, see Bugbog Travel
Health page.
- Just about every park/reserve requires a permit.
Beware
of buying water bottles that have been refilled with tap water!
Madagascar
weather:
Best:
May-Oct [winter, dry season]
Worst: Dec-March [rains, hurricanes]
This is a large country with 6 different climatic zones, ranging
from an extremely dry sw zone to often wet east zone so a lot depends
on your target activities and areas.
Length
of stay:
Minimum worthwhile stay, not incl. flights : 10 days - since domestic
transport is unreliable and disances are great.
Recommended: 3 weeks +
Main attractions:
South for:
Berenty Nature Reserve [lemurs, chameleons
++] Near Fort Dauphin, it's about 500 miles from Tana. Pictures
Mahafaly tribe elaborate carved and painted graves. Pictures
Isalo National Park [extraordinary
wind cut sandstone, lemurs, wacky plants, pools] - you may need
a guide. About 250 miles south from Tana. Pictures.
West for:
Tsingy Nature Reserve, weird limestone
formations, birdlife by the ton, lemurs etc etc. 370mi west of Tana.
North for:
Montagne d'Ambre National Park, rain
forest stuffed with the usual unusual species including the blue
nose chameleon. No shortage of leeches either. Lots of hiking trails
and two lovely waterfalls. 500mi north of Tana. Cooler than the
coast so you don't need shorts.
Nosy Be island for expensive beach
package hotels and Lokobe Nature Reserve.
Ile Ste Marie island [Nosy Boraha]
for beach bungalow places and coral.
Activities:
Bird and animal watching.
Hiking around the parks and reserves.
Mountain biking: Many locations will
hire them, including Tana, Nosy Be, and Fort Dauphin.
Diving and snorkelling: places like
Ile Ste Marie, around Nosy Be and near Tulear.
Whale watching: off Ile Ste Marie.
In Tana try to attend a 'hira gasy' local folk music/dance on Sundays.
Main Festivals:
May or June, Donia music festival, Nosy Be
June - Nov, Famadihana 'turning the bones' reburying the dead ceremonies.
Nov - Dec, Gasyfara music festival, Tana
Madagascar Animals Video
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