- MADAGASCAR Destination -

Largest of the Indian Ocean Islands ( the world's fourth-biggest island which stretches 1590 Km from North to South and reaches 590 Km at its widest point : 587 000 sq Km ), Madagascar is a land rich in diversity, both with regards to its natural wonders and endemic wild and plant life species, as well as the rich cultural background of its people. It has been relatively isolated from the outside world. Consequently it has not been exploited by the effects of mass tourism, thus remaining one of the world's great undeveloped and undiscovered eco-tourism adventure destinations. About 200 million years ago this land began to break up into the present day continents of Asia, Australasia, South America, Antarctica & Africa. Madagascar broke away from Africa about 165 million years ago. As the island drifted eastwards into the Indian Ocean, it took with it a large variety of plant and animal stowaways. Free from predators, these flourished & evolved into many different species, most of which are endemic to the island. So, Madagascar is a wonderland for the botanist & the island invites further exploration of animal, plant and birdlife, the species found nowhere else in the world.

Madagascar, the Flora :

Each climatic region in Madagascar is associated with a different vegetation type : thorny scrub in the South, tropical rainforest along the East coast, heathland & moss forest on the central highland and savannahs throughout much of the western lowlands. In each of these habitats resides a distinct set of plants & animals, most of which are found nowhere else in the world. The flora of Madagascar has its own pecularities, such as : the Ravinala also called " the Traveller's palm ", the Baobab of which there are 6 distinct species, the 9 species of Pachypodium or elephant's foot, a thousand varieties of orchids, the bizzare spiny forest of the arid South ( such as the spined Didiera & Alluaudia ) and the 60 endemic species of aloe, etc.

Madagascar, the Fauna :

The lemurs ; the other mammals such as 21 species of tenrec, 28 species of bats, little carnivorous ( mongoose, the reddish fosa - foosh -, rodents including a giant jumping rat ) ; birds : just 250 species, of which 106 are endemic ( more productive habitats include the humid forest of the North, the spiny forest of the South & the eastern rainforest : coua sp., vanga sp., the vasa parrot, the Madagascar malachite kingfisher, the crested drongo, the Madagascar fody - food - and a variety of owls, doves, cuckoos & wild ducks ) ; reptiles & amphibians : the most visible are the chameleons, which have come to represent the country nearly as well as the lemurs. Most of the world chameleons are found in Madagascar, with 2 endemic genera, the large Chameleo & the smaller Brookesia. Gecko sp., the superbly camouflaged leaf-tailed gecko, iguanas sp., the Nile crocodile ; plus 60 species of inoffensive snakes ( the most frequently observed is the Madagascar boa ) ; tortoises & marine turtles. For frogophiles, Madagascar is a paradise with 150 species of frogs & toads ( 148 of these are found only in Madagascar ) ; invertebrates : very interesting with mantids, butterflies, moths, millipedes, leeches, dragonflies, beetles, spiders & mosquitoes. The only dangerous animals in Madagascar are crocodiles, sharks & scorpions ( especially in drier areas - Active at night & inflict painful & potentially dangerous sting. Those camping in the bush should careful to check their boots, shoes, tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, clothing & ground ).

Talking about the different habitats of birds in Madagascar, there are 7 types : the eastern humid forest, the western deciduous forest, the southern dry forest, the coasts, the eastern wetlands, the western wetlands and the savanna.

1- Eastern Madagascar evergreen humid rainforest :

With 3 categories :
a- Lowland rainforest : below 600 m, where trees are often very tall ( up to 50 m ) and epiphytes ( especially ferns & orchids ) are very abundant. You can find : Scaly Ground-roller, Bernier's & Helmet Vangas, Red-tailed Newtonia, Red-breasted Coua, etc. This area includes Masoala Peninsula National Park.
b- Mid-altitude forest : between 600 to 1600 m, where trees become smaller ( 20 - 30 m ), epiphytes & Pandanus trees always abundant. You can find : Cryptic Warbler, Rand's Warbler, Grey-crowned Greenbul, Rufous-headed Ground-roller, Crossley's Babbler, Madagascar Magpie-Robin, Common Jeries, Hook-billed & White-headed Vangas, etc. This area includes Mantadia National Park & Andasibe Special Reserve, Ranomafana National Park and Amber Mountain National Park.
a- Montane forest : above 1600 m, where canopy is rarely more than 7 m and with very heavy moss growth, where bamboo, palms & tree-ferns are locally common.

2- Western Madagascar deciduous forest :

Occurs on sandy, calcareous or lateritic soils over the entire west of Madagascar. Canopy at between 8 to 20 m, always many epiphytes ( orchids & lianas ). You will find there a lot of bottle-trunked trees, the best known being the baobabs. Kind of birds : Red-capped , Coquerel's & Giant Coua, Van Dam's Vanga, White-breasted Mesite, Sakalava Weaver, Appert's Greenbul, etc. This area includes Kirindy Forest, Zombitse-Vohibiasa National Park.

3- Southern Madagascar dry spiny forest :

Is particular with its cactus-like trees : the endemic Didieraceae family ( Didiera sp. & Alluaudia sp. ). A 5 - 15 m high forest where you can find Running & Verreaux's Coua, Subdesert Brush-Warbler, Subdesert Mesite, Littoral Rock Thrush, Red-shouldered Vanga, Long-tailed Ground-roller, etc. Example : Berenty Private Reserve.

4- Madagascar coastal habitats :

The west coast is much richer and more diverse than the east one ; with vast mangroves, saltpans, sandy beaches, sandbars, estuaries & offshore islands, both rocky & sandy. Sometimes with coral reef islands with breeding seabirds, example a colony of Red-tailed Tropicbirds on Nosy Ve near Anakao-Toliara. You can find in interesting estuaries ( such as Mahavavy, Betsiboka, Belo sur Tsiribihina ) migrant Crab Plovers, wintering Palearctic waders, Curlew Sandpiper, Greater Sand Plover, Madagascar white Ibis, Sacred Ibis, Madagascar Teal, etc. You can find too in some islands ( such as Nosy Be, Nosy Mitsio ) Common & Lesser Noddies, Roseate Terns, Greater & Lesser Frigatebirds, Crested & Sooty Terns ; and large populations of Flamingos & migrant waders in some lakes & estuaries.

5- Eastern Madagascar wetlands :

Occur in the form of lakes, rivers & marshes. Examples Alaotra lake ( the biggest lake in Madagascar ), Pangalanes canal, Vohiparara marshes near Ranomafana National Park, Torotorofotsy & Didy marshes. There are there colonies of African Spoonbills, species of Heron, Yellow-billed Storks. And near rivers : Meller's Ducks, Madagascar Rail, Grey Emutail, etc. The vegetation is often up to 3 m tall.

6- Western Madagascar wetlands :

Occur too as lakes, rivers & marshes, but include the banks and waters of the larger rivers ( Betsiboka, Tsiribihina, Mahavavy ), the salt lake of Tsimanampetsotsa & Ihotry. Several species of waterbird are found nowhere else but in these wetlands, such as the Sakalava Rail, Madagascar Teal, Great-billed & Humblot's Herons.

7- Madagascar savannas :

Are dominated by alien grass, with vast areas of sterile landscape colonised by fire-resistant native trees such as the endemic palm Bismarckia nobilis & the Tapia tree Uapaca bojeri ( near Isalo National Park & Fianarantsoa ). The most frequent birds that you can find are Madagascar Cisticola, Madagascar Bush Lark, Madagascar Partridge, Hoopoe, Sandgrouse, Buttonquail, Namaqua Dove & Helmeted Guineafowl. Stripe-throated Jery too is very common.

Madagascar, the People :

Humans have come from Malaysia, Polynesia & Africa and they, themselves, evolved into many different cultures. After the Malay-Polynesians have come new arrivals ( African slaves, Arab, Portuguese traders & French colonials ), they have formed the 18 official tribes which inhabit the island today. The Afro-Asian origin of the Malagasy has produced a people who practice fascinating customs. Each tribe has its own territory, customs & traditions. The most common language is Malagasy, of which there are several dialects. No one who visits the island is left unaffected by the warmth & hospitality of the Malagasy people.

If you are the sort of traveller who craves something different and isn't put off by a bit of discomfort, Madagascar is for you.

MADAGASIKARA

Tany voahodidina onja
Mitomara-batosoa
Vao topaza-maso monja
Dia mambabo fo tokoa

Zazavavy iray mihaingo,
Meva maha-te-ho tia
Ka ny elony dia laingon-
Dravinala sy rofia

Ny akanjony dia indro
Fa velory tsara voatra
Ala maitso mikirindro
No manendrika azy loatra

O ! ny Nosy manontolo,
Feno zava-tsoa miely
Samy tondraka daholo
Na ronono na tantely

( Jean Narivony )

MADAGASIKARA

Surrounded with ocean
In the crystal reflection,
Of a single glance
And it seduces you,

Such a charming
Ready girl
In the umbrella of ravinala
And of raffia

With a velvet cape,
Thick forest which
It becomes marvelously

O ! The whole island which
Contain treasures
The milk and the honey flow there ;
Such is the big island
There lives my heart

( Jean Narivony - Traduction Ramanatantara )

MPIASA TANY

Izahay izao no mpiasa tany
Mpandao tanàna vao maraina,
Ka maizim-bava ny vilany
Vao mody indray manonitra aina

Ny fiasana na birao
Dia mora hita ka tazano
Tsy misy rindrina natao
Ny lanitra no tafon-trano

Dia manatsatoka mihoitra
Mamadi-bainga makadiry
Raha misy ahitra mipoitra
Tombohina fandrao maniry

Ny laina manko dia resena,
Fadina koa ny hakiviana
Hariva , sasatra ny tena,
Vao mba manembona fodiana

( Jean Narivony )

FARMERS

Farmers, for the worked ground ;
In early hour, the village we leave ;
At night black, we bring in
For our strengths, regenerate

The work or the office
Easily it sees itself ;
No walls for ours,
The sky, our roof ;

And let us be toffee-nosed, let us turn
The ground by big clods,
And cut, let us bury
Spices by boots

The laziness is to be avoided,
The despair to be banished,
The evening, exhausted,
Let us aspire to the home

( Jean Narivony - Traduction Ramanatantara )

From to Madagascar, its endemic fauna and flora,

Do you want to visit another world ? I suggest you Madagascar, one of the world last bastions for wildlife discovery. Madagascar where the wild things are. Madagascar and its nature, its people, its Parks and Nature Reserves. Madagascar where you will discover the kingdom of lemurs, the kingdom of baobabs and the kingdom of chameleons. With our experiences since ... 1993, we will give you excellent advice. To organise your trip and to guide you to make your trip pleasing and unforgetable. Thank's alot for your trust.

Through wonderful beaches, through evergreen humid forests, through montane rainforests, through baobab forests and deciduous dry forests, and through savanna and euphorbia scrub. Madagascar, a big island which lies in the Indian Ocean, eastern of Africa.

Madagascar's backbone of mountains runs almost the entire length of the island, shielding the central and western areas from the Indian Ocean winds while making the eastern areas a hotbed for torrential rains. This results in 4 dramatic climates : tropical rainforest in the East, heathlands on the High-Plateau, deciduous woodlands in the West and semi-arid desert in the South. Madagascar is becoming a new destination for ecological tour lovers, for discovery tour lovers & for trekking tour lovers.