Travel Destinations / Madagascar

Madagascar is the world's fourth largest island. Ringed by golden beaches and palm trees, it has an interior that is resplendent in its variety, from grassy plateaus to volcanoes and opaque forests and natural reserves. Since it split from the mainland 165 million years ago, many species that are unique to the island have evolved, including 3,000 indigenous species of butterfly.

The Hauts Plateaux divides the country geographically, climatically and culturally. The coastal strip east of this chain of high mountains is heavily forested, while the west is mainly savannah.

Madagascar has evolved into one of the world's most phenomenal destinations for natural history travel. The world's fourth-largest island contains an immense diversity flora and fauna Of 12,000 plant species identified here, 10,000 are endemic to the island including seven of the world's nine species of the iconic Baobab tree, some Renowned national parks and World Heritage Site.

The island is home to about 40 different species of lemurs, a primate group found only on Madagascar, many species of chameleons as well as some of the world's most bizarre creatures like the nightmarish hissing cockroach, so-called Dracula ants, and the Giraffe-necked weevil.

Culture

According to local legend, the island was first inhabited by the Vazimba, a race of white pygmies. These people, if they existed, were displaced by successive waves of Polynesian migrants from the Malayo-Indonesian archipelago, from as early as the sixth century. In the ninth century, Madagascar was a major trading power in the western Indian Ocean. Moreover, ancient ruins indicate an extensive Arab presence on the island around that time. Bantu tribes from mainland Africa later settled on the west coast. The first Europeans arrived in the mid-17th century.

Madagascar's heritage today is composed of 18 different ethnic groups that derive from a long history of trade and migration, all united today in a common language and rich, fascinating Malagasy culture.

Shopping

Handicrafts include lamba (traditional squares of cloth in various designs and woven materials); zafimaniny marquetry, which is applied to furniture, chessboards and boxes; silverwork such as mahafaly crosses and vangavanga bracelets; jewellery made from shells and precious stones; items woven from reeds, raffia and straw; antemore paper decorated with dried flowers; and embroidery. All products incorporating Malagasy flora or fauna (including dried flowers) often require export permits.

Money

The pre-colonial Ariary (MGA; symbol Ar) has replaced the Malagasy Franc (MGF).

Notes: Ar10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200 and 100 C
Coins: Ar50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1.
Credit Cards: American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa

Transport

Most of Madagascar can be reached by air, the exceptions being a few towns in the central highlands. Air Madagascar flies to many locations throughout the island.  Madagascar has a strong maritime tradition and there are many coastal transport services.

The only railway lines to take passengers are those linking Moranga with Ambila Lemaitso and the east coast line between Fianarantsoa and Mankara, which travels through mountains, rainforests and quaint villages. First-class carriages are air conditioned. Light refreshments are sometimes available.

For bus travel, A flat fare is charged, irrespective of the distance travelled. There are intra-muros and suburban bus lines, but services can be unreliable and buses tend to be crowded. There are two types of taxi: the taxi-be, which is quick and comfortable, and the taxi-brousse (bush taxi), which is cheaper, slower, makes more stops and generally operates on cross-country routes. Fares should be agreed in advance and tipping is unnecessary.

Health Requirements

Vaccinations against tuberculosis and hepatitis B are sometimes advised. Bilharzia is common but travellers can avoid it by not swimming and paddling in fresh water; only swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe.

Inoculation regulations can change at short notice. Please take medical advice in the case of doubt. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas.

Hot and subtropical climate, colder in the mountains. Rainy season: November to March. Dry season: April to October. The south and west regions are hot and dry. Monsoons bring storms and cyclones to the east and north from December to March. The mountains, including Antananarivo, are warm and thundery from November to April and dry, cool and windy the rest of the year.