The beauty of safari holidays in Africa is that there are
numerous itineraries to stunning beaches and islands around the east
coast with the Indian Ocean. The largest of all these islands is
Madagascar which is in fact the fourth largest island in the world.
Although there is no big game in Madagascar it is incredibly biodiverse.
Because at one point the land mass of Madagascar broke off from the
coast of Africa, the animals there evolved differently. As a result
Madagascar has some of the most fascinating wildlife anywhere on the
planet including striking creatures such as ring tailed lemurs, with
their long tails and huge eyes. Madagascar is also a cultural melting
pot making it one of the most rewarding places that offer safari
holidays. As well as traditional safaris on four-by-four vehicles to the
reserves it is also possible to use Madagascar as a base for an island
hopping trip through the country. Furthermore for an unforgettable
experience you can sail around the coast on the classical African dhow
boats.
Safari Holidays to the National Parks of Madagascar
As
well as numerous wildlife reserves, strict nature reserves and private
reserves there are 20 different national parks in Madagascar. The
Masoala National Park is in the north east of the island and it
encompasses the Nosy Mangabe Reserve. With 2,300 square kilometres of
protected rainforest it is the biggest national park on the island and,
having been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, a must-see if
you come here for safari holidays. As well as 10 species of lemur and
various frogs and owls that live in the forest, the park also has an
expanse of coastline where it is possible to see humpback whales.
If
you are interested in trekking then the Isalo National Park has a
variety of challenging terrains. Another place with a huge cross-section
of rare animals is the Andringitra national park. Visitors to this
large area of ravines and mountains can see hundreds of species of birds
as well as lot of lemurs and frogs. Most of the park is dissected by
the Tropic of Capricorn so your safari holidays are sure to be hot and
steamy.
What should you know about Safari Holidays to Madagascar?
Unfortunately
though Madagascar is such a unique place it is also troubled. The
country has had an unstable history so you should also check out the
political situation on the Foreign Commonwealth office website before
travelling. However your luxury safari holidays
operator will be able to give you guidance so follow their advice and
you will be fine. The best time of year to go to Madagascar is from
March to December as the other three months of the year constitute the
rainy season. Animals to watch out for are the stray dogs which can
sometimes be found wandering through the cities. If you are keen to
visit the capital Antananarivo don't go out on your own at night.
