MADAGASCAR
MADAGASCAR FAUNA
The fauna is an equally important part of the Island of Madagascar. 97% of mammals and 98% of amphibians are found nowhere else in the world making its level of endemism astonishing. The island has numerous varieties of mammals and amphibians and it is quite easy to spot them. A wildlife safari is your best bet to encounter these friendly wild creatures of the island. The parks and reserves of Madagascar house numerous varieties of lemurs the most striking among other wild life species. Most famous for its 50species of lemurs, these bright eyed mammals are easily seen on any tour of the island .With over 300endemic reptiles species Madagascar is known for its geckoes and chameleons (of which it has over half of the world’s species) It is also home to iguanids, which are usually found in South America and do not live anywhere on the mainland of Africa, thus providing unique biological evidence of the great continental shift.
For the Ornithologist, Madagascar presents a relatively small number of species, only around 270. However, nearly half are endemic and 5 entire families are unique only to Madagascar, making the country an absolute must see for the serious birder.
MADAGASCAR FLORA
While several countries can compete with the endemic biodiversity levels of Madagascar fauna, the same cannot be said for its flora when Madagascar‘s over 12,000species make it the most important biological hotspot in the world. So far, nearly 1,000species of orchid have been found and that number continues to grow.
Madagascar is most famous for its baobab-tree and holds seven of the world’s eight species. These magnificent trees can be found in the dry forest and scrub areas of the island.
The endemic ferns and palms are just as unique and there are 03 times as many species of palm in Madagascar than on the whole of continental Africa. The cactus like Didierea family found in the arid southwest is a botanist’s delight and a family unique to Madagascar.
Some of the unique flora of Madagascar is mentioned below:
- The Alluaudia Procera
- The Rosy Periwinkle
- The Aloe Vaombe
- The Euphorbia Viguieri
- The Moist Cucurbitaceae
- The Adansonia Grandidieri
A visit to any garden centre in Europe or North America will reveal a wide range of Madagascar plants and flowers, and Royal Botanical Garden of Kew –London, has a dedicated programme appeal fund to research and protect the island many endemic species.
MADAGASCAR CLIMATE
Generally the climate of Madagascar is subtropical, with a hot and rainy season between November and April, and a cooler dry season from May to October. However, there is a big variation in climate depending on altitude and geographical position.
The west coast is drier than the east coast and the central highlands, while the far south and south west is a semi-desert region that experiences very little rainfall. The east coast receives the most rain and is hot and humid during the wet season, and also prone to cyclones between February and March. Temperatures are much cooler in the highlands. In Antananarivo the temperature can drop to as low as 08°C at night, though it is usually around 20°C during the day. If you plan to hike in the highlands the temperature may be even lower at night and there are occasional frosts on higher peaks. Along the coast temperatures range from 81°F to 90°F (27°C to 32°C) in the wet season and 64°F to 72°F (18°C to 22°C) in the dry season. May to October is the most pleasant time to travel to and in Madagascar, with cooler temperatures and little rain.
MADAGASCAR BEACHES
With the Mozambique Channel on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other, Madagascar has more than 4,500 kilometres of coastline and various tranquil islands. The result is a whole host of idyllic beaches perfect for relaxation or continuing to appreciate the island’s biological richness above and below the waves. 
Popular as they may be, the beaches and islands around Nosy Be (known as the Perfumed Isle, from the heady scent of ylang-ylang blossom in the air) offer beautiful beaches in the most exotic of settings. Tsara Komba is perfect for honeymooners, Tsarabanjina for the more active or Eden Lodge for those who want wildlife and beach, you can take your pick. Anjanjavy offers its own private nature reserve, reached by private plane where the hosting and options are second to none. The rustic east coast beaches at Masoala Forest Lodge or the superb boutique option at Princesse Bora, with great whale watching, there are plenty of choices to consider, depending on how much, or how little you want to do.