Madagascar Tourism

The island of Madagascar is widely known in the world as a place of a huge concentration of endemic species (about 80% of the total species composition) of the animal and plant world. The exceptionally rich and diverse flora and fauna of the island attracts not only numerous scientists, but also tourists from all over the world.

Here you can see the ocean and mountains, mangroves and steep limestone plateaus, tropical rainforests and alpine prairies, lakes and waterfalls, extinct volcanoes and ancient burial places in caves, unique karst landscapes and intricate river systems.

The number of unique representatives of the fauna, from insects and birds to reptiles and mammals living here, will amaze every lover of "green tourism". Among the endemic species of Madagascar are: lemurs , mungoes , civets , nezomyids , fossa , radiant and spider turtles , rakshas , cowherd partridges, various lizards, spiders, bats and many other amazing creatures.

There are 59 protected areas in Madagascar covering 17 553 km² of land (2.95%) and 4 558 km² of sea (0.38%). Of these, 5 nature reserves, 21 national parks, 20 reserves and 8 sites of sustainable nature management. In 2007, six national parks of Madagascar (Andringitra, Anduhahel, Zakhamena, Marujedzi, Masuala and Ranumafana) were included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site called Acinanana Tropical Rainforests .

The largest in Madagascar is the Zingi de Bemaraja Nature Reserve , located in the western part of the island and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

All visits to the parks must take place with an official guide. For tourists, special hiking trails of various lengths and difficulty levels and river routes have been laid on the territory, and many interesting excursion programs have been developed.

In most parks and reserves, as well as near them, campsites are equipped for camping, ready to receive visitors after excursions.

The coastline of Madagascar is about 5000 kilometers ^[1] . There are a lot of wild and cultivated excellent beaches, which can conditionally be divided into the beaches of large Madagascar and nearby small islands.

Within the republic of Madagascar there are many resorts, the most famous of which can be considered ^1] , Antsirabe ^[1] , Ambuhimanga , Ambusitra , Murundava , the islands of Nosy Burakh and Nosy Be , Maruantsetra and others.

Resorts are located throughout the greater Madagascar, but in general it is believed that it is better to relax on the west coast, where there are much fewer sharks than on the east.

All the beaches of the country boast magnificent landscapes, large light sand, a beautiful transparent ocean, but not all are equipped with the latest tourist fashion, especially on small islands. People come here mainly for rest in untouched places of nature, and not for increased comfort. However, Madagascar has its exceptions, for example, the beaches of the Nosy Be resort (the "visiting card" of island resorts) with luxury hotels and prestigious night clubs.

As an active pastime, the resorts of Madagascar offer tourists:

• diving (most coral reefs in the southwestern part of the island),
• yachting
• surfing and windsurfing ,
• rock climbing
• visiting caves
• kiting
• white water rafting
• snorkeling
• tracking
• off-road motorcycle raids,
• sport fishing
• spearfishing.

Due to the diverse geographical conditions of the coast, Madagascar will find a place for applying their skills to both beginners and experienced followers of the above sports.

In Madagascar, several cultures blended at once in an odd way: African, Asian, European (in connection with French colonization). Thanks to this, here at every step archaeological and cultural monuments of different eras and peoples are adjacent.

The main "sightseeing" city of the country is considered the capital - Antananarivo . Here are the monumental palace complex of Ruva , tombs of Madagascar monarchs, the Museum of Archeology, crafts markets, a large Botanical Garden. There is something to see for curious tourists who value history, and in other settlements of the island - Mahajange , Ambusitra , Antsiranan , Isalu .

• Madagascar
• Madagascar (island)
• List of volcanoes in Madagascar
• List of National Parks in Madagascar
• List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Madagascar

• Prokopenko, Love. Madagascar // Encyclopedia " Around the World ."
• Zimina, Galina. Tourism in Madagascar (Neopr.) . Biletyplus . Innovative Travel Technologies, Inc. (August 28, 2013). Date of treatment December 14, 2018.