Bradt Travel Guide: Madagascar

About this book

A new, thoroughly updated 12th edition of Bradt Travel Guide: Madagascar, the leading and most comprehensive guide to this unique island nation, written by Hilary Bradt, who first visited in 1976 and has returned roughly 35 times, and Daniel Austin, who has visited 12 times and continues to travel there annually. Bradt Travel Guide: Madagascar is by far the most thorough guide to the country in English and is written and updated by established experts whose unparalleled knowledge of Madagascar combines with contributions from over 50 experts in a book which has been the most authoritative guide to the country for three decades. It covers national parks and protected areas and includes itineraries to suit all interests and budgets, plus details of around 1,000 hotels and restaurants.

Madagascar is like nowhere else on earth. It is fascinating not only zoologically and botanically, but culturally, linguistically, historically and geologically. This vast island is the fourth largest in the world and also the oldest. This is part of the reason why it has evolved into an incredible hotspot for biodiversity, with a truly unique flora and fauna that is more than 80% endemic to the island, and with new species being described virtually on a daily basis. Madagascar is also the only place where you can see wild lemurs. Almost a quarter of the world's 450-or-so primates exist only here.

With Bradt Travel Guide: Madagascar you can visit tropical rainforest and seek out its incredible flora and fauna; explore the otherworldly eroded limestone spires, most famously at Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park – Madagascar's most striking landscape; discover the beach-fringed islands around Nosy Be with their fabulous scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, whale-watching and fishing opportunities; and make the most of a host of adventuring and sporting possibilities, including surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, rock climbing, tree climbing, caving, river trips, mountain biking, distance running, quad biking, trekking and hiking. Also covered are the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ambohimanga; the renowned Avenue des Baobabs, one of the country's most photographed scenes, and information on the best birdwatching spots: Madagascar has almost 300 avian species, with a high proportion of endemics, including five whole endemic families.

Contents

Introduction

PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 1 The Country
      Geography, Climate, A brief history, Government and politics, Economy
Chapter 2 People and Culture
      Enigmatic origins, Beliefs and customs, Malagasy society, Ethnic groups, Language
Chapter 3 Natural History
      Introduction, Geology, Flora, Fauna, Madagascar's ecosystems, Conservation, Protected area
Chapter 4 Practical Information
      When to visit, Choosing a trip to suit you, Highlights and itineraries, Tour operators, Red tape, Getting there and away, What to take, Money, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays, Shopping for souvenirs, Arts and entertainment, Communications , Business hours
Chapter 5 Health and Safety
      Before you go, Specific health issues, Medical kit, Safety, Advice for specific types of traveller
Chapter 6 Madagascar and You
      Responsible tourism, How you can help

PART TWO THE GUIDE
Chapter 7 Antananarivo and Area
      History, Ivato airport area, Antananarivo city, Day excursions from Tana, Overnight excursions
Chapter 8 The Highlands South of Tana
      Tana to Antsirabe, Antsirabe and around, Ambositra and around, Ambositra to Fianarantsoa, Ranomafana National Park, Fianarantsoa and around, Ambalavao and around, Andringitra Massif, Ambalavao to Ihosy
Chapter 9 The South
      History, Ihosy to Ranohira, Isalo National Park, The Makay Massif, Ranohira to Toliara, Toliara, Ifaty and Mangily, North of Ifaty, Anakao, South of Anakao, Toliara to Taolagnaro (Fort Dauphin), The far south, Mandrare Valley, Taolagnaro (Fort Dauphin)
Chapter 10 East of Tana
      Antananarivo-Côte Est Railway, Tana to Moramanga, Lake Alaotra, Moramanga to Andasibe, Andasibe area, Andasibe to Brickaville, Brickaville to Toamasina
Chapter 11 South of Toamasina
      Pangalanes Canal, The east coast from Vatomandry to Mananjary, The east coast from Mananjary to Taolagnaro
Chapter 12 Toamasina and the Northeast
      History, Toamasina (Tamatave), Toamasina to Soanierana-Ivongo, Soanierana-Ivongo to Maroantsetra, Masoala Peninsula, Antalaha to Iharana (Vohemar), Andapa area
Chapter 13 Ile Sainte Marie (Nosy Boraha)
      Ile Sainte Marie, main island, Ile aux Nattes (Nosy Nato)
Chapter 14 The North
      Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Ramena and the east coast, Excursions west from Antsiranana, Montagne d'Ambre (Amber Mountain) National Park , Excursions south from Antsiranana, Ankarana National Park, From Antsiranana to Iharana (Vohemar) by road, Ambilobe to Ambanja (and on to Nosy Be), Bays and inlets accessible to yachts
Chapter 15 Nosy Be and Nearby Islands
      History, Transport, Activities and excursions, Hell-Ville (Andoany), Ambatoloaka, Beach hotels and other accommodation, Islands around Nosy Be, Mitsio Islands (northeast of Nosy Be), Islands southwest of Nosy Be
Chapter 16 The West
      Mahajanga (Majunga), Ankarafantsika National Park, Southwest of Mahajanga, Fly-in beach resorts northeast of Mahajanga, Northeast of Mahajanga by road, Maintirano to Morondava, Morondava, Morondava to Toliara, River trips

Appendix 1 Historical Chronology
Appendix 2 The Malagasy Language
Appendix 3 Further Information
Index

Customer Reviews

Biography

Daniel Austin is co-author of a number of books on Madagascar, including, for Bradt, Madagascar, Madagascar Highlights and Madagascar Wildlife: A Visitor's Guide. As a full-time Madagascar specialist, Daniel visits the country at least once a year to lead group tours, lecture on cruises, and carry out research. Additionally, he is a photographer specialised in Madagascar, especially its unique wildlife. He is also Secretary of the Anglo-Malagasy Society, which promotes Madagascar's interests in the UK, as well as founder of the Madagascar Library, an archive of over 4,000 historical and contemporary books and documents about the country. Daniel's fascination for Madagascar stretches back to his childhood passion for nature. He later studied Linguistics at UCL in London and at the University of Cambridge, writing his master's thesis on Malagasy culture, before focusing his attentions on exploring the broader zoological, botanical, cultural, linguistic and historical wonders of this exotic Indian Ocean destination. He has lectured on the subject at venues including the Royal Geographical Society and Oxford University.

Hilary Bradt's career as an occupational therapist ended when potential employers noticed that the time taken off for travel exceeded the periods of employment. With her former husband George, she self-published her first guidebook in 1974 during an extended journey through South America. As well as running Bradt Travel Guides, Hilary worked for 25 years as a tour leader in Madagascar. Her in-depth knowledge of the country has brought her lecture engagements at the Royal Geographical Society, the Smithsonian Institution and on board expedition cruise ships, as well as numerous commissions for travel articles. She now lives in semi-retirement in Devon and is delighted to have handed over the hard graft of researching new editions to Daniel.