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Madagascar [ /ˌmædəˈɡæskər, -kɑːr/ ] “ Fitiavana, Tanindrazana, Fandrosoana”

Madagascar: the perfect destination for the adventurous traveller and those who want to get away from mass tourism – but travel- ling around the 4th biggest island in the world will require a lot of time.

But if you’ve got time and patience, you will be rewarded with one of the most biodiverse destinations in the world. Madagascar is home to thousands of species of flora and fauna of which almost 90% cannot be found anywhere else in the world, including the famous which are only found in Madagascar.

There are many dichotomies in Madagascar. A veritable oligarch in terms of natural riches, it is still one of the poorest countries in the world. It has a culture which is profoundly informed by ‘ancestry’, yet still struggles with an ability to protect resources for the living and indeed, generations to come. It has an impressive system of protected landscapes. is stripping the country bare and yet ‘slash and burn’ or ‘tavy’ is central to local culture, as a way of growing rice. And it is with rice, the product of the defor- estation, that Malagasy people welcome guests into their homes.

About Madagascar

Annual Rain Fall COUNTRY SIZE: 587,041 km2 (226,658 sq mi) 300 220 150 CURRENCY: Malagasy Ariary (MGA) 100 50 LANGUAGES: Malagasy, French and English

ETHNIC: Merina, Betsimisaraka, Betsileo, Tsimihety, Annual Temperature Sakalava, Antaisaka, Antandroy and others

CAPITAL: Antananarivo

AIRPORT: Ivato International Airport - Antananarivo

POPULATION: 26 million (2018)

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza. MADAGASCAR Seasonal Highlights

APR - JUN JUL - AUG SEP - DEC JAN - MAR

Travelers may wonder when the best time to visit Madagascar is and what they should take into account regarding the climate and seasons? It’s important to remember that it’s a large country with incredibly diverse geography and topog- raphy. It’s possible to travel from temperatures only slightly above freezing high up in a fringed by volcanic mountains to just below blistering in the desert not even 300 kilometres away. The east coast of the island is the hardest hit by the rainy season so it would be best to visit after the seasonal rains have subsided, it is this abundant rainfall that creates the perfect conditions for the lush tropical that can be found in Andasibe National Park and on the idyllic island of Nosy Be.

April - June The most pleasant time to travel to Madagascar, with cooler temperatures and little rain. However, since the last years the traditional weather pattern is no longer reliable due to global climatic changes. You can have plenty of rain during the dry season and vice versa, so be ready for anything!

The touristic season begins in April after the cyclones. The rainy season is almost over but some areas are still hard to reach because of the terrible roads after the rainfalls. Until June it is “low season”, so prices are cheaper now than during the following months. This is the season of the rice crops on the highlands, a real impressive event to see.

July - August The months of July and August are the peak of the “high season” because it is the time when most tourists come here since they are on holidays. So if you are planning to visit Madagascar during “our summer” in Europe and USA, you should book in advance (both plane tickets and accom- modation in busy beach areas). July and August are the “coolest” months of the year, which is not bad at all in the coastal regions where you can perfectly bath without being burnt by the sun. For nature lovers there are good and bad news: it is the whale season on the east season but at the same time many and small mammals are hibernat- ing. You can never have it all!

September to December are also a very popular period to visit Madagascar. It is hotter than during the last months and it does not rain a lot (the rainy season starts at the end of December). It is the best time to enjoy beach holidays and to observe the rich wildlife, since , lizards, snakes and are active again.

January to March The only time you should avoid is January to March, when heavy rain can make many roads muddy and impassable, and when there’s a high risk of cyclones in the east and northeast. Certain hotels are closed and even some big tour operators are not operative.

MADAGASCAR MADAGASCAR Places of Interest IN MADAGASCAR

Tsara Komba Luxury Beach & Forest Lodge One of the best resorts in north-western Madagascar is the beautiful 4-star eco lodge, Tsara Komba. It sits on the archipelago’s second biggest island, Nosy Komba, and is also called “ Island”. It’s just 25 minutes from Nosy Be by boat and home to fishing villages, , and cacao plantations. The rest of the island is wild and exotic, filled with black macaco lemurs, baobabs and par- rots.

Manafiafy Beach and Lodge

There aren’t many lodges located on the southeast side of Madagascar – but Manafiafy is one of them! Showcas- ing the best of both coast and rainforest, this luxurious lodge creates special moments and experiences for its guests like romantic dinners in the bush or on the beach. Go on lemur walks at night with an experienced guide or kayak through the mangroves by day – here, activities rule the itinerary!

Manga Soa Lodge Madagascar has notoriously bad roads that affects travel time – however, Manga Soa Lodge is close to the inter- national airport Nosy Be. But don’t worry, it’s still remote enough so that you can enjoy its tropical gardens and one of the best resorts in Madagascar. Thatched and authentically Malagasy, Manga Soa is situated on a long stretch of beach with a spa, large pool and lounge area

MADAGASCAR What to do IN MADAGASCAR

Avenue of the Baobabs Ankarafantsika National Park Botanical and Zoological Garden of Tsimbazaza

Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Kirindy Mitea National Park

Tsingy De Bemaraha National Park Nosy Sakatia Lake Tritriva

Ranomafana National Park Nosy Tanikely Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park

Amber Mountain National Park Andringitra National Park Tsara Komba Lodge

Masoala National Park Lemuria Land

Tsarabanjina Île aux Nattes Madagascar spiny forests

Ambohimanga Tsingy Rouge Lake Anosy

Queen’s Palace Réserve Peyrieras Madagascar Exotic

Analamazaotra Special Reserve Andafiavaratra Palace

MADAGASCAR