MADAGASCAR

MADAGASCAR

 

Madagascar, officially the Republic of Madagascar and previously known as the Malagasy Republic, is an island country in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Southeast Africa. The nation comprises the island of Madagascar (the fourth-largest island in the world), as well as numerous smaller peripheral islands. Consequently, Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot; over 90 percent of its wildlife is found nowhere else on Earth. The island's diverse ecosystems and unique wildlife are threatened by the encroachment of the rapidly growing human population.

ACTIVITIES AT MADAGASCAR

Back Packing:  There is much to see of local Malagasy life and this is the best way to see it.  Choose one area to do properly rather than attempting the whole country.  The locals are friendly and always willing to help – custom demands they offer you, a stranger, a bed and a meal.

 Bird Watching: Strangely enough there are not that many species of birds in Madagascar – only 283. But 51% of these are endemic with five endemic families and 37 endemic genera thus making Madagascar one of Africa’s top birding hotspots. 

 Botany: Every footstep holds wonders for lovers of nature – and probably more so for those not previously interested in fauna.  The statistics of endemism are mind blowing and some are listed below.  Madagascar is the world’s leading floral hotspot for an area of its size. 

Caving:  For those not suffering from claustrophobia Madagascar offers many hours of wondrous exploring in caves.  The Bat Caves of Ankarana are well known and easily accessible offering you three types of bat species.

 Chartering/sailing:  The east coast of Madagascar is not for the fair weather sailor but the sheltered west coast is a delight for all yachties.  However, there are no marinas with water and fuel so one needs to be fairly self sufficient if you wish to explore this coast. 

Diving:  The dive sites off the north western part of the country are world class and the biodiversity in this area surpasses that of the Red Sea.  Coral bleaching has not affected the reefs and the locals have cared for them relatively well. Almost every hard coral species known to this part of the Indian Ocean can be found here.  It is especially good for its variety of Nudibranchs so for both macro and micro divers there are hours of underwater pleasure.   

Fishing:  Madagascar is the new Mozambique for the fishing fraternity, and again – Nosy Be is the place to do it.  There are many deep sea fishing outfits that will take you out for a day’s fishing.  Perhaps the best option is to take a crewed catamaran for a week’s charter and explore the reefs, drop offs and channels that are the hunting ground for Kingfish, Tuna, Sailfish and Marlin. 

 Good Food:  Malagasy food is quite spicy and based on rice, green leafed vegetables and zebu meat.  Ramazava is the national dish and one could also try stuffed goose, fat eels or frog’s legs! There are restaurants that offer first class menus in various styles. Be it French, Cajun, Malaysian, Indonesian or a fusion of all these you will be offered crab, crayfish, fish, chicken or zebu  with flair and skill. 

 Hiking: As most of Madagascar’s ‘roads’ are more like tracks tackling them on foot  is often more exciting and challenging than attempting some of the recognised hiking trails of South Africa!  The country is well mapped and the locals are quite used to travelling on foot. 

  

Honeymoons:  Who needs the big hotels of Mauritius or the Seychelles when you can spend the most romantic period of your married life in Madagascar?   The French influence over Madagascar remains when it comes to Love and if you are searching for the perfect honeymoon there are plenty of options. 

  

Kayaking:  There are two select guided sea kayak routes in Madagascar.  The first is on the Masoala Peninsula - a vast area of pristine, primary rainforest touching empty beaches.  Six and nine night tours can be arranged.

Kitesurfing:  There are one or two areas in Madagascar where kite surfers can do their bit.  Most suited 

though would be The Emerald Sea, just south of the northern most point of the island.  Protected by a reef, L’Mer d’Emeraude offers calm waters and – between April and November – a constant 30 knot wind! 

 Lemurs: No article on Madagascar would be complete without mention of the most endearing creatures of all.  Lemurs belong to a group of primates called the prosimians – meaning ‘before monkeys’. These animals were the most advanced sample of tree living animals and ruled the earth for about 15 million years.  Then along came the monkey.

Nature:   Madagascar was one of the first countries in the world to set up Nature Reserves and how fortunate was that!  It is no coincidence that most of the extinctions to have taken place have been in the 2000 years since the arrival of man. So to have had early protection for this remarkable menagerie is a huge advantage.  Some of these weird and wonderfuls are listed below - a tempting list for naturalists: