One of the fourth largest islands in the world, Madagascar is surrounded by beautiful beaches and palm trees filled with natural reserves, grassy plateaus and dense forests.It is the world’s fourth largest island, with almost 5,000 km (3,107 mi) of coastline and a large continental shelf equal to 20% of the island’s land area. The Republic of Madagascar lies in the Indian Ocean separated from the African mainland by the 248 mile wide Mozambique Channel. The eco tourist friendly place is fun to enjoy amidst beautiful flowering plants natural history and a great place to explore and have an adventure of a lifetime.

Places to visit

Antananarivo

Antananarivo is the capital and largest city in Madagascar. It is also known by its French colonial shorthand form Tana.Antananarivo is situated in the center of the island length-wise, and 145 km (90 miles) away from the eastern coast. The city occupies a commanding position, being built on the summit and slopes of a long and narrow rocky ridge, which extends north and south for about 4 km (2 mi) and rising at its highest point to about 200 m (660 ft) above the extensive rice plain to the west, although the town is at about 1,275 m (4,183 ft) above sea level.The place retains most of its French flavor with French being the main language spoken here. Even the road and shop signs are in French.

Anjajavy Reserve

This is the best place to not only enjoy the natural habitat but also the natural history of the place. It is a nicely preserved habitat of dry deciduous forest with a lot of mouse lemurs, Coquerel’s sifaka, chameleons and the Madagascan fish eagle and of course the lovely beaches.

Ankarana Reserve

Ankarana Reserve is a small vegetated plateau in northern Madagascar with elevations that exceed 1220 meters (4000 feet) above sea level. It is composed of 150-million-year-old limestone.the underlying rocks are susceptible to erosion, thereby producing caves and underground streams.

Ambohimanga

The Royal Hill of Ambohimanga is a site of cultural and historical significance located approximately 24 kilometers to the east of the capital city of Antananarivo in Madagascar. The site consists of a walled historic village including residences and burial sites of several key members of the royalty of Imerina, the ethnic community that rose to power in the 19th century and united much of the island nation of Madagascar under its administrative authority. The site is associated with strong feelings of national identity, and has maintained its spiritual and sacred character both in ritual practice and the popular imagination for the past 500 years. It remains a place of worship to which pilgrims come from Madagascar and elsewhere. The compound was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2001.

Climate

Hot and subtropical climate, colder in the mountains.November to march is the rainy season.April to October is the dry season. The south and west regions are hot and dry. Monsoons bring storms and cyclones to the east and north from December to March. The mountains, including Antananarivo, are warm and thundery from November to April and dry, cool and windy the rest of the year.

Getting here

The two main ways to reach Madagascar are via flights or ships. The island of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean is connected to the rest of the world by means of flights operating to and from the island nation. Ships connect Madagascar with Mozambique.

Flights to Madagascar are operated by most of the major airlines. The cheap rates and hassle free journey make flights to Madagascar popular among tourists. To reach Madagascar from any part of the world has become easier and affordable. Air Madagascar, the national airlines of the island, offers its services to all.

Hotels

www.hotelstravel.com/madagascar.html

www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g293808-Madagascar-Hotels.html