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Ravinala, the travellers' tree

by Norali

Do you know any other country that has a tree dedicated to travellers? *LOL*This is amongst reasons to visit Madagascar.More genuinely, it is a plant that is related to banana tree. A little cut in its trunk will provide you with fresh water since its "arms" use to store rain water... In the past, travellers did that. Nowadays, there are stalls or outlets with bottled water (for you, bottle cap has to be sealed).By the way, many countries in the world have become to have this tree but it originates from Madagascar. Anyway, Air Madagascar (Airmad) has a ravinala motif as its emblem...On my picture, Ravinala trees seem to wave a goodbye on a return from East coast city (Toamasina). Isn'it romantic? Road trips in lush forests (see my travel while heading to East coast for that: "Heading East") as well those in desert areas (see my "Big South Journey" Tlogs)- "Heading East" Tlogues in my...

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History buffs, something for you

by Norali

I am currently reading a history book on Madagascar. It is the first (and so far, the only one I've ever heard of) to be released in English. It explains a lot: from the origins of Madagascarian (Malagasy) people, through the occupation of the island, the kingdoms, early contacts with Europeans, French colonial era to nowadays Madagascar. Some anecdots may enlighten on local customs and culture as well.It is "A history of Madagascar" by Sir Meryn BROWN, a former British ambassador in Madagascar. ISBN 09506284 5 X History... Ambohimanga played an important role in Antananarivo, Merina clan histories and so the sacred hill did even on Madagascar's.Picture: view on the Laniera plains that Nampoina had fit for rice cultivation. The plains extends in Northern Tana area.. surrounding Ambohimanga, Malaza, Lazaina, Sabotsy-Namehana, Anosy.. many of those areas being part of Ambohimanga...

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Climate

by nepalgoods

Generally speaking, the country is characterised by a hot subtropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons, the length of which is determined by latitude and altitude. The coastal region has a typically tropical climate while the interior parts of the island are more temperate, particularly with increasing elevation.Trade winds prevail from the east and the monsoons come from the northwest. This results in most precipitation falling on the east coast while many regions southwest of the highlands remain dry for much of the year.Officially, the rainy season lasts from November to March, and the dry season from April to October. Annual rainfall ranges from about 300 mm in the southwest to over 3600 mm on the eastern escarpments. From January to March, the east coast, the far north as well as the far south are occasionally subject to cyclones. Travelling to these areas during the...

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New Currency

by nepalgoods

Since August 2003 Madagaskar has a new currency called Ariari. the smallest note 2000 Ariari is worth aboth 1,5 Euro. The change became nessessary as the Euro removed the French Franc and the Madagaskar Franc was well connected with the French.

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Lemurs...

by Chyan

7 species of lemurs at Ankarana, the Amber Mountains: Coronatus, Fulmus sanfordi, the Aye-Aye, Microcebus rufus, et cetera.In the vicinity of Lac Maudit or the Cursed Lake, a couple of the Pyurargue of Madagascar (Haliacetus vociferoides). I met my pen-pal in Antananarivo.

The beautiful people

by grets

As in most places I visit, it is the peolpe that makes the biggest impression on me. Beautiful, friendly and proud, the Malagasy peolpe are some of the nicests around. Desperate to try out the few Malagasy phrases I had learned, I attempted to hold a conversation with some road workers in Ranomafana. We exchanged pleasantries for a few moments with my pronounciation causing much hilarity, and I felt that despite our cultural and linguistic differences, a bond had developed between us.We also tought our Malagasy guide Cockney Rhyming Slang, and by the time we went home he was telling us that he 'went down the Frog and Toad to the Rub a Dub Dub for a Ruby Murray' .

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The Island

by nepalgoods

Madagascar is the fourth biggest island of the world. It has been separated very early from the African continent. The island has been isolated for millions of years. That way an unique fauna and flora could develop.To get an overview of Madagascar's plants and animals I recommend to visit the zoo in Tana, the capital of Madagascar. Please see my Antananarivo-page for more about the zoo!

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Climate

by nepalgoods

Madagaskar has landscapes from desert to rain forest. Like this the weather is very diverse. But don't go in February!! Then it is raining almost everywhere. In February the air is very humid - at least in Tana. In the south are the deserts, where it does not rain much in years.

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Know and respect fady, Madagascar interdicts...

by Norali

Before entering Madagascar, get to know how people may react. On your arrival, at least, ask a briefing on local do's- don't do's... Especially forbidden things (fady), places you cannot go, pics you cannot take, pounds you cannot bath in... or at least, without asking local spiritual authorities... Pay careful attention to what guides tell you on access to some spots, Malagasy people are real believers, not only in christianism.. but in traditional beliefs as well. Seeing tourists (and locals) trangressing taboos and interdicts really offences Malagasy people though they may warn you with a smile.Many fadys while visiting Isalo National park as one believes Isalo is home of Malagasy spirit.. as rocks use to house graves in that part of the island.. So, beware of what is forbidden (access to some places). Always go with a guide that would translate if needed. Note that subjects related...

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Why hiring ANGAP guides?

by Norali

Ever noticed that I insisted on you hiring ANGAP guides while visiting national parks? Not only because local ANGAP guides are the ones who know about "their" territory. Also, ANGAP (association nationale pour la gestion ds aires partagees) aims at protecting nature. 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...

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Related Madagascar Favorites Tips

Top 3 Hotels in Madagascar

Hotel Tamboho  Antananarivo

 32 Opinions

 Hotels in Antananarivo

La Varangue  Antananarivo

 1 Review and 29 Opinions  I spent three nights in this very pleasant hotel in Tana. The location is excellent,. right around... 

 Hotels in Antananarivo

Hotel Royal Palissandre  Antananarivo

 1 Review and 47 Opinions  Le Royal Pallisandre is a very good quality hotel in the heart of the city. The rooms and public... 

 Hotels in Antananarivo

18 Hotels in Madagascar
 
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Reviews and photos of Madagascar attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Madagascar sightseeing.

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Favorites: Cities in Madagascar
  1. Antananarivo Favorites
  2. Antsirabe Favorites
  3. Ampefy Favorites
  4. Ambohimanga Favorites
  5. Mahajanga Favorites
  6. Nosy Sainte Marie Favorites
  7. Malaza Favorites
  8. Andasibe Favorites
  9. Tangorombohitr' Isalo Favorites
  10. Antsiranana Favorites
  11. Anosy Avaratra Favorites
  12. Lazaina Favorites
  13. Ambohidrabiby Favorites
  14. Ambatoharanana Favorites
  15. Ranomafana Favorites

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Popular Regions in Madagascar

Faritanin' Antananarivo Favorites  Faritanin' i Toamasina Favorites  Faritanin' i Toliara Favorites  Faritanin' Antsiranana Favorites  Faritanin' i Fianarantsoa Favorites  Faritanin' i Mahajanga Favorites 

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Questions and Answers

josemuniz12000 profile photo

Q:  Has anyone used Desire Travel Tours and had problems just before arriving? I'm 12 days from departure to Madagascar from Kenya... 

Odinnthor profile photo

A: I think you may be jumping to bad conclusions too quickly. I have been a tour director for several decades, and have a pretty good handle on most operators. It is... 

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