Full Description
Madagascar's isolation means most of its mammals, birds, and plants exist nowhere else on earth. This guide showcases the best of the island with details of all the sights included in tour operators' itineraries; trips along the Route Nationale 7, around Nosy Be, days trips around Antananarivo, and tours to the east and southwest of the country. Detailed maps include 'the top spots' - the six places most favoured by tour operators, and a birders' map identifies the island's key locations to spot birds. An authoritative chapter on conservation discusses many of the islands projects and outlines how visitors can help. With full colour photographs throughout, this handy book also acts as a field guide to lemurs, chameleons and a host of other exotic plants and animals.
Contents
Introduction viiIntroducing Madagascar 11 History and People 2History 5People 122 The Natural World 24The world's oldest island 26Habitats and conservation 30Plant life 34Wildlife 403 Planning a Trip 62When to visit 64Booking a trip 65Your itinerary: 20 top attractions 70Red tape 79Getting there 79Health and safety 80What to take 83Organising your finances 854 On the Ground 86Health and safety in Madagascar 88Getting around 92Visiting protected areas 93Eating and drinking 94Banking and foreign exchange 96Shopping 98Media, communications and business 100Madagascar Highlights 1035 Antananarivo and Surrounds 104Antananarivo 106Andasibe area 1206 RN7: The Route South 128Antananarivo to Ambositra 132Around Fianarantsoa 140Ihosy to Toliara 152Ifaty 162Anakao 1657 Taolagnaro and Surrounds 1688 The North and Islands 178Antsiranana and the bays 180South of Antsiranana 186Islands of the northwest 1969 The Remote West 204Mahajanga and the northwest 206Morondava and the west 21410 Eastern Adventure 222South of Mananjary 224Pangalanes Canal and Toamasina (Tamatave) 228Northeastern rainforests 234Ile Sainte Marie 245Malagasy language 250Selected reading 254Index 258
