Madagascar Country Highlights

For true aficionados of the natural world, a visit to the island nation of Madagascar can be the highlight of a lifetime. This fascinating, quixotic land is an important repository of biodiversity. The world's fourth largest island is a land of tropical rainforest, arid mountains, open savannah, and spectacular offshore islands, whose coral reefs make for fine diving and snorkeling. Many of Madagascar's reserves and parks boast well-developed infrastructure, although there is still room for adventure in the remote hinterland. For those seeking a luxurious experience, Madagascar has several fine resorts where the country's varied habitats can be experienced in style and comfort.

Antananarivo , or Tana , is Madagascar's capital city. The Upper Town is an appealing quarter of cobbled streets lined with art galleries, cafes, and jacaranda trees. Easy excursions from the city include a visit to mbohimanga , a World Heritage Site, whose compound has displays of 19th century royal life. La Necropole Royale is the atmospheric royal burial site. Traveling south of Tana, along the popular Route Nationale 7 (RN7) , the traveler can experience the highlights of the country. Antsirabe is well known for its hot springs. Further south is Ambositra , the center of Madagascar's wood carving industry. Many of the town's houses are adorned with lovely carved balconies & shutters. Nearby are Zafimaniry villages, of traditional forest dwellers. As your southern journey continues, you travel up & down hills, past rice paddies, eucalyptus, and pine groves. Ranomafana first gained prominence for its hot springs; today it attracts visitors who are keen to see its superb and varied wildlife. This mid-altitude rainforest shelters golden bamboo lemur, as well as 11 other lemur species, 100 species of birds, and more. Ambalavao is an extraordinarily scenic town, beautifully situated and reminiscent of European medieval towns. This is the center for an attractive traditional style of papermaking.

SOUTHERN MADAGASCAR

For many travelers, this is the most famous, and appealing part of the island. Most of the popular images of Madagascar are from this region: vast baobab trees, and spiny forests, silhouetted against tropical sunsets. Culturally, it is home to the Mahafaly tribe, whose wooden carvings, stelae, and paintings are displayed above graves. The landscape is marked by weird and wonderful plantlife, leading to the moniker "spiny desert". No visit to Madagascar is complete without some exploration of this strange land. On the southwest coast, the town of Tulear offers the traveler superb marine life, interesting Mahafaly and Masikoro tombs, and distinctive spiny forests. Isalo National Park is utterly unique, with sandstone canyons sheltering rare endemic plants. Unlike much of the island, Isalo is known primarily for its ethereal landscape, rather than its wildlife.

On the south coast, Fort Dauphin vies for the title of most beautifully situated town in Africa, located on a peninsula, with forested hills rising behind the town. Day trips to nearby beaches take visitors to fine tidal pools; excellent snorkeling is also enjoyed in the region's turquoise waters. Berenty Reserve is deservedly one of the most popular in the country. Ring-tailed lemurs and sifakas are frequently spotted from the reserve's gentle forest trails. Berenty presents visitors with both riverine forest, and classic "spiny forest", making it an excellent destination for travelers interested in the diversity of Madagascar. The Museum of the Androy is one of the country's finest ethnological museums, giving an excellent introduction to the Antandroy people of the area. For those seeking the ultimate wilderness experience, there are other reserves nearby, such as the Mandena Conservation Zone, Andohahela National Park, and Kaleta Park. These parks are part of recent schemes to merge conservation projects with local community development programs, and offer an excellent insight into recent environmental innovations on Madagascar.

EASTERN MADAGASCAR

Both the eastern mainland, and the offshore islands, offer a great travel experience for visitors. Local history has been shaped by European pirates and slave traders. While the region suffers from annual cyclones, the rainforests of the east are home to much of the island's endemic flora and fauna. Here, rugged mountains are marked by tumultuous rivers en route to the Indian Ocean, and a network of canals provides the main source of transport through this lush and lovely region. Islands such as Ile Sainte Marie are tropical idylls, with white sand beaches and superb coral reefs. From July to Septmeber, hump-backed whales can be seen off the coast. South of Toamasina, the Pangalanes Canals are best explored by boat, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the tranquility of this traditional region. Easily reached from Tana, Perinet is one of Madagascar's best national parks. This large tract of moist montane forest is home to many different types of lemurs, including indri indri, the largest species. The northern section of the park, Mantadia, offers a rare taste of untouched primary forest.

WESTERN MADAGASCAR

A dry climate, deciduous forests, fine beaches, and a dramatic landscape make this a rewarding corner of the island to explore. High mountains and expanses of tsingy - limestone karst massifs - are the home of many rare plants and animals. While an undeveloped infrastructure sometimes makes travel here difficult, adventurous travelers will have their efforts rewarded. Morondova has lovely beaches, and is a good base for exploring Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park , and Kirindy , where the region's classic tsingy can be seen. The port town of Majunga flourished as a trade center in the 18th & 19th century; today, it reflects its many influences, including East African, Arabian, and west Asian.

NORTHERN MADAGASCAR

With high mountains, sheltered valleys, and idyllic islands, this is a realm of varied splendors. Botanists will be particularly impressed by the area. The port town of Antsiranana , known popularly as Diego Suarez , is magnificently set at the base of a ring of hills, and is a good base for touring the surrounding mountains and bays. South of the town is Montagne D'Ambre National Park . Lovely waterfalls make an appealing destination for short hikes amidst the lush fauna, while the exquisite plumage of the crested ibis, paradise flycatcher, and ground-roller will appeal even to non-birders. Ankarana Reserve is a small limestone massif, with classic tsingy pinnacles and caves. Off the northwest coast is the Nosy Be archipelago. A superb climate makes sugar, pepper, vanilla and ylang ylang flourish on the islands, creating an atmospheric, heady tropical wonderland. The coral around the islands is superb for diving; the best season is from May to October. Local handicrafts are of a high quality. Nearby islands, such as Nosy Komba and Nosy Tanikely , are excellent for day trips.