Madagascar – an authentic island, a world apart

Lying off the east coast of Mozambique, Madagascar is the 4th biggest island after Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo. Due to its isolation lots of its mammals, birds and plants exist nowhere else in the world. When I think of Madagascar I think of eco-tourism.

The capital is Antananarivo, better known as Tana and is located in the highlands. The currency is Madagascan Ariary and 1 South African Rand = 223 Ariary. The best time of the year to visit Madagascar is probably September - November after the cool, dry winter but before the hot rainy season. Cyclone season is February to March when the climate is at its rainiest. Many animals are least active during the coldest months (June-August).

Madagascar's wildlife is among the best in the world in terms of diversity, abundance, and approachability and travel for this purpose is most rewarding. It also offers spectacular landscapes, an unusual history, and a countryside full of generally friendly and wonderful people. Virtually all of Madagascar's parks feature great hiking, I will only mention a few of them here.

Nosy Be is Madagascar's most tourist orientated. Holiday makers flock here for the sun and the beaches. Nosy Be does also feature a small, but diverse area of forest in the Lokobe Reserve.

The Masoala peninsula sports some of the finest beaches and reefs in Madagascar and is the largest complex of protected areas compromising of 4 plots of land and 3 marine sites. It is a 90 minute flight from Tana. Masola was one of the first places in Madagascar to be listed as a World Heritage site. The park has a wealth of fauna and flora including 11 lemur species, 50 reptiles’ and 430 plant species.

Ranomafana Park is an evergreen rainforest which features and extinct volcano which produces hot springs. The golden bamboo lemur is the park’s main attraction.

Sahamalaza Park comprises of 3 ecosystems – marine, coastal and forest. It has 220 plant species, 9 lemur, 41 bird, 20 reptile and 14 amphibian species. The marine has 218 types of coral and invertebrates and 168 fish species. This park can be reached within a 3 hour boat trip from Nosy Be or Analalava.

Andringitra National Park has the highest peak accessible in Madagascar called Body Peak, 2658m. It has 54 mammal species, 14 lemur, 50 reptile and more than 100 bird species. There over a thousand plant species, including orchids and palm tree endemic to the region.

Isalo's landscape is comparable to parts of the Grand Canyon. The park consists of eroded ruiniform sandstone formations dating to the Jurassic period, deep canyons with riparian forests, palm-lined oases, fire-resistant tapia forests, and open grasslands.

North-Western Madagascar offers a big variety of fishing opportunities and a wide range of saltwater species for all angling disciplines. It is renowned for the large numbers of sailfish and marlin that pass through these waters at certain times of the year.

A truly new and unique surfing experience. Perfect uncrowded waves all year round in a tropical paradise setting, Madagascar remains one of the last fully unexplored surfing frontiers on the planet. The Tulear region including the 60km stretch of coastline between Ifaty and Anakao had more than 18 breaks which are accessible by boat only. At least 12 of these breaks are world class on their day. The surf is consistent all year round and the weather and climate excellent for surfing.

So whether you would like to visit Madagascar for the wildlife, fishing or surfing I think it will be an experience you will not forget and might have to repeat to make sure you did not miss anything.