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Dangers could be Malaria, cholera, diarrhoea, bilharzia, AIDS, sunburn, scorpions, wasps, leeches, crocodiles. For each danger, you can take precautions and it is unlikely that you, as a tourist, die of any of these things. However, it does become a certain way of life to be careful. Violent crime is still relatively rare in Madagascar. You are far more likely to be robbed. Sexual harassment does not seem to be a problem for women.
There is sadly enough prostitution, so be prepared to be harrased in the larger town as men! Leave a Comment
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 by JustinJansen
The change of wheater and climate during our visit was very impressive from 30+ tot minus 2 from Ampijora towards Antananarivi (in the high lands). Leave a Comment
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Madagascar has a host of holidays and festivals to cover most tastes and agendas. The usual Christian holidays like Easter and Christmas are celebrated, as well as Insurrection Day (29 March, to celebrate the rebellion against the French in 1947); Organisation of African Unity Day (25 May); Anniversary Day (8 May) and Republic Day (30 December).
In March, Alahamady Be is the low key Malagasy New Year. The Donia, a traditional music festival, is held on Nosy Be in May-June (the date varies); Fisemana is a ritual purification ceremony that the Antakŕrana people undertaken in June; and Famadihana (the 'turning of the bones' burial ceremony) takes place from June to September. Leave a Comment
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 by JustinJansen
And you have to fill in some papers before you enter the country in the plane! Leave a Comment
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 by JustinJansen
Be aware in not floating water of schistosomiasis (bilharzia). Never go in to not floating water otherwise you could get this dissease! And that very unpleasant. Most people will suffer of diarrhoea so take medicines in advance.
Medicines are relativly scarse, so take plenty with you! Leave a Comment
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Madagascar has some snake species. The largest ones are the Madagascar ground boas. This is the smallest species of the boa-family on Madagascar. It's scientific name is Acrantophis madagascariensis. On Madagascar you can spot these animals in the east and the north in dry forested area's often near water.
And that is where we found her. After a morning of climbing we went swimming in a grotto not too far from the campsite at réserve spéciale de l'Ankarana'. She , according to Jacques our guide , she lived there in the area and often took a bath in the grotto. He said she was a friendly one...I took a closer look and I believed him. (the german woman we had with us was for sure more venomous then this constrictor-type of snake). She was there to escape from the heat and enjoy herself in the water ;-) just like us.
This species eat birds, rats, chickens, lizards, and many other mammals in the wild. They got a special organ to find their prey even in the dark , it works with heat sensors. They can reach a lenght of 1,8 m and we got every reason to believe that they are endangered , altough specific numbers are not available. Leave a Comment
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One of the rarest birds of prey on earth. This eagle is endemic to Madagascar. Sources differ in size of the population , some say 40 breeding pairs , other mention 70. Whatever it is...it is a small population for such a magnificient bird. They need space and silence for succesful breeding. And that space is becoming more scarce. Action has been taken.
They got two pairs in the zoo in the capital city , Antananarivo. The zoo of Tsimbazaza. Their scientific name is 'haliaeetus vociferoides ' You can find some extra information here! Leave a Comment
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Let's talk about the animals...let me introduce the Madagascar Paradise Flycatcher , in latin the name is Terpsiphone mutata. A remarkable little bird. We saw this male one at La Réserve Spéciale d' Ankarana . But they can be admired at other national parcs too.
The nice thing here was that we saw this one after a climb of 2 houres in a canyon. At one side of the canyon a river came from under the rocks and on the other side the river disappeared again. The réserve itself is hard to reach and it takes some effort and a good guide to reach this paradise like spot. And there was the little bird. Not impressed , either afraid of humans.
Maybe the most notable little bird on our way. I said maybe. In the picture one can see the male. The male is easely recognized by the two lang tail feathers and another striking feature are the ultramarine rings around each eye. Those long tail feathers are often 3 times as long as the rest of the tail. They build their nests in octobr , november. Interesting to know might be that both sexes help building the nest , they incubate the eggs together AND they both cheat on each other.... Leave a Comment
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Let me introduce you to one of the lemur species of Madagascar's rich fauna. This is the crowned lemur - it is easy to see where the species got it's name. Right?
Their scietntific latin name is 'eulemur coronatus'. This is the smallest species of the genus Eulemur they can weight about 1,5 to 1,8 kilograms. We both saw this species at 'National parc de montagne d'Ambre' as well as in 'Ankarana special reserve'.
At Ankarana they are even semi-tame and hang around the camp place waiting for a mango pith to be ignorantly thrown away.
They are classified as vulnerable and appear on the CITES I list. That is not a list of honor it means that they are seriously endangered. The dangers for these animals are los of habitat by logging , forest fires , development. They appear in 4 restricted areas that should be protected. (responsible tourism can bring in some needed cash to maintain the parcs)
For this species the Madagascar Fauna Group has set up a captive breeding program.
These animals can easely be seen since they are day active. If you wander through the forest you'll meet small family groups - 4 to 6 is an average group , but up to 15 individuals is possible. They feed on leaves , fruits and branches and sometimes on rare occasions on bird eggs and vertebrates.Mating occurs in May and June and 125 days later one of two youngsters are born. Two years later the cyclus can start again.
I like their long tails ,up to 49cm for an animal with a body lenght of 34 - 36 cm its huge. Leave a Comment
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 Help them preserving this! by Norali
For decades, nature parks, and other areas btw, have been under threaten. Peasants have been doing harm to Mother nature. For instance, local slash and burn technique, Tavy, was used not only in hills and more and more eroded soils, locals started to use it in parks and nature reserves as well. The cause: locals haven't had any education, neither awareness on preservation. They had to make do with they've known so, they haven't benefited from any specific program (like most of Malagasy peasants for decades, btw).
Then ANGAP was founded in 1990, a NGO that coordinates and manages the program for preserving Malagasy biodiversity. Soon this initial mission had to be extended in local development actions. It realized that preservation couldn't go along with poverished locals whose actions would go against ANGAP projects. Now, 50% entry fee amounts are allowed in micro-projects of neighbouring villages. Along with locals, other associations and financial aids, it helps in schools raising, setting of agriculture areas, rivers. ANGAP plays a role in orientating peasants too, according demands, markets. For instance, it would implement the cultivation program of orange, litchis with 70 households of one of Andasibe villages. Lots of similar projects in neigbouring areas of parks now.
Please, hire ANGAP guides. It encourages them to keep up their good work.
It is reported that only 15% of Malagasy territory are covered by forests. Sad. "Blue island" then is now "Red island". The green, so deep that it tended to the blue shade became the red shade of the nude soil of the island. The guides contribute in showing the endemic species and educating us on the fragile balance of Madagascar's nature. Leave a Comment
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