 Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world. It is separated from the coast of Africa by the Mozambique Channel, the shortest distance between the island and the mainland is 400km (248.5 miles).
Madagascar is legendary for its abundance of wildlife and flora, 80% of which is unique and found nowhere else on earth. Isolated from the continents 160 million years ago, Madagascar stepped on a unique evolutionary path into enormous Tortoises, Elephant birds, and Lemurs.
Visas, Customs and Vaccinations
You need your valid passport, visa application forms, fully completed and signed, your passport-type photographs and a copy of round trip airline tickets or itinerary, or letter of confirmation from travel agent.
You should consider the following vaccinations especially if you are planning to be in the country longer than 30 days or will be spending time in rural areas: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio, Typoid, Rabies (half wild dogs carry the disease in Madagascar), Cholera.
Malaria is an issue in Madagascar. Malarial mosquitos are most active at dusk and daybreak so cover up and use repellent at those times. Sleep under a mosquito net for protection. Your doctor may advise you to take a malaria vaccination.
Madagascar's species are some of the most endangered on the planet. Since people settled here less than 2000 years ago, Madagascar has lost more than 16 species of lemur in addition to a pygmy hippo, the largest land bird to ever walk the planet, and giant tortoises.
Among the protected areas in Madagascar is Andringitra National Park.
It is located in south-east Madagascar, was established in October 1999. It offers panoramic views, environmental education and sport like trekking. The 31,160-hectare national park squeezed between two older protected areas, Ranomafana and Isalo National Parks. It is characterized by a high diversity of wildlife and a large variety of endemic species. Andringitra exhibits tropical moist forests, dense mountainous forests and high montane prairies crowned by massive granite scarps. Peak Boby, 2,658 metres (8720.4 feet) above sea level, the highest reachable mount in Madagascar, is the Malagasy second highest mountain. The alpine meadows of the Andohariana plateau are the only natural mountain plains in Madagascar. You may observe there over 30 different species of terrestrial orchids every year, between the months of January and March. Besides, almost half of the mammal species existing in Madagascar can be encountered in Andringitra, as well as 14 species of Lemur. The Golden Bamboo Lemur (Hapalemur aureus) was recorded only in 1996 in neighboring Ranomafana National Park.
Check out information about Butterfly Tour to Madagascar.
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