Madagascar

Best known for its wildlife, but a land of extraordinary cultural richness, Madagascar is an island nation roughly the size of Texas or about twice the size of Arizona located in the Indian Ocean off the southeast coast of Africa opposite Mozambique. The main island, also called Madagascar, is the fourth largest in the world and home to five percent of the world’s plant and animal species, at least three-quarters of which are found nowhere else in the world.

Madagascar is about as far away from the United States as any major landmass, and once visitors arrive they will find travel in Madagascar to be an interesting experience. For true adventure seekers, however, Madagascar’s wildlife is among the best in the world in terms of diversity, abundance, and approachability and travel to Madagascar for this purpose is most rewarding. Madagascar also offers spectacular landscapes, an unusual history, and countryside full of generally friendly and wonderful people. The beaches of Madagascar are tropical and include such notable spots as Nosy Be, Nosy Boraha or Sainte Marie and Nosy Iransja.

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The island is home to such evolutionary oddities as lemurs, a group of primates endemic to the island; the sifaka, a lemur, that swears rudely but dances like a ballet performer; brilliantly colored lizards including geckos and chameleons; the indri, a cat-sized lemur that leaps from tree to tree with ease and sings eerie, whale-like songs; the streaked tenrec, a spiny, hedgehog-like, yellow and black insectivore that makes grinding-chirping noises when threatened; and the fossa, a carnivorous animal that looks like a cross between a puma and a dog but is closely related to the mongoose. This assemblage of peculiar and unique animals made Madagascar a natural to serve as the setting for Dreamworks hugely popular animated film, Madagascar. While the movie may have taken liberties with its representation of the country, the real-life Madagascar is a fascinating and remarkable place to visit – truly unlike any place you’ve ever seen.

Travel Information

Electricity

In Madagascar, the two-pronged plug and the European standard socket are the most used with a tension of 220 volts (but it may go down to 170 volts in…

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Banking

Currency

The official currency of Madagascar since 2005 is the Malagasy Ariary (MGA), which has been reintroduced to replace the Malagasy…

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Cuisine

Madagascar’s cuisine is traditionally based on rice, that are served with some kind of dressings, vegetables, meat and spicy seasoning. Malagasy enjoy…

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Climate

Any time of year is fine for a visit except from January to March, when heavy rainfall in many areas can make some roads all but impassable, and when there’s…

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Transport

Madagascar is a huge place, the roads are bad and travel times long: it takes 24 hours of solid driving from Antananarivo (Tana) to Diego Suarez (Antsiranana),…

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Dress

To cope with the Madagascan climate, lightweights should be worn during the summer on high central plateaux and throughout the year in the north and south….

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Featured Accommodation

Yellow Aloe Guest House

This upmarket country-chic bed and breakfast was born out of a love for the countryside, and the town of Clanwilliam in particular. The distinct characteristics of each guest room, quiet corner and garden space tells a story of relaxation, inspiration, rejuvenation and love.

The serene surrounds of the…

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