madagascar

Name : Republic of Madagascar
Capital : Antananarivo
Languages : French and Malgasy
Size : 594 180 square kilometres
Population : 14 million with 18 different tribes.
Religion : traditional Madagascan beliefs and Christianity.
Food : Rice is the staple food. It is eaten with every meal. A popular dish is fish in coconut.
Climate : It varies throughout this large country, but generally the dry season is from April to October. The best time to visit is from April to December, before the rains really start.
Temperature : Generally pleasant. For example, the temperature in Antananarivo in November is 14 C to 28 C. You may need to bring one jacket for the occasional cold spell.

Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world, 1 600 km long and 650 km wide.
Scenic mountains, vast desert plains, teeming jungles and world famous coral reefs are some of the variety on display here.
Many large national parks shelter strange and unique wildlife.
Since Gondwanaland fragmented to form Earths continents, Madagascar has been conducting it's own experiment in evolution. Scientists from around the world come to study the flora and fauna. Many types of baobab, 1000 varieties of orchid, aloe, palm tree, cactus and bamboo;
Lemurs, such as the ais-ais; tenrecs, flying foxes, fossa and dugongs, as well as many fish, butterflies and chameleons are found only here.
Madagascar is an island forgotten in time.
Even it's people are largely still living in the middle ages. There are donkey carts, weekly markets in the village squares and women carry water from the well.

Come and join us for a unique experience, travel back in time, maybe even to another world ! Let's Go

There are many unique handcrafted souvenirs in the markets,
such as traditional music instruments, leather goods, baskets, woodcarvings,
handmade paper with flower designs, bracelets made from cebu cowhorn,
semi precious stones and board games made from these,
fresh, exotic spices, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, saffron, pepper, homemade rum and wine, silk
and much more.

Madagascar is a beautiful and unique country to visit . . . but the good comes with the bad.
I want you to know:
There is malaria. This is a disease common to most third world, tropical regions.
The locals live with it, and seldom become ill, because they know how to avoid it
and treat it. Travelling with an experienced guide, so do you.
Another drawback for some people is the primitive society in Madagascar. Most roads are gravel,
there are few hotels, often no electricity or running water. More often than not you will be sleeping under the stars, having eaten a camp fire grilled chicken, that you bought alive in the village market.
For me this is one of the most compelling reasons to travel there!
And with the proper attitude, experience and equipment, you will be more relaxed, safe and comfortable than in most cities.

As an alternative, I would like to recommend a trip with us to Namibia or
South Africa. These countries are malaria free and modern, with a good infrastructure.
But, if you are looking for a truly different, unforgettable experience,
come and be one of the few to enjoy in person, what you have so often enjoyed on television . . . Madagascar.