Is this how Earth looked 500 years ago?
You really go into this world of bliss. You have a piece of Earth so secluded from every other part and these animals, these plants are found nowhere else. And when you have it all in front of you, you feel nothing but mesmerized with their beauty.
— Lissie Hill.
Like what the heading says, Madagascar is very unreal and unlike any other destination on earth. Being the fourth largest island in the world, it’s full of picturesque landscapes and animals like lemurs you can’t find anywhere else. But before you set off, here are some things that you should know before you travel to Madagascar.
Madagascar lies in the Indian Ocean off the southeast coast of Africa and has evolved in splendid isolation for more than 80 million years; the result is a unique and startling world full of upside-down trees, stone forests and, of course, lemurs. There are also 346 reptiles that aren’t found anywhere else except the island. The flora and fauna which you see here are not seen anywhere else on earth and when you visit, you will surely feel like looking at earth 500 years aback.
Getting into Madagascar is somewhat a journey by itself. You will have to take a flight to Antananarivo, or fondly called ‘Tana’ the capital and largest city of Madagascar. The city is located 1,280 m (4,199 ft) above the sea level in the center of the island and has been the country’s largest population center since at least the 18th century. Tana was invaded by the French in 1894 till the 1950’s and the French presence is widely felt when visiting the city and its cuisine.
The population mainly converses in French or their local dialect ‘Malagasy’ so its always nice if you can brush up on your French if your planning for a visit to Madagascar. On an interesting note, the natives of the island do not call themselves as African, even though the coast of Africa is so close, instead Malagasy people originated from Indian and Malaysian seafarers who landed on the island 2000 years ago and never left.
At The Chikkiboo Travel Co., we always stride in making the process of travel simpler for our customers. Here in Madagascar, you will be taken from the bustling capital of Tana, to the green forests of The Andasibe National Park where you will stay at some of the famous lodges available and you will wander deep into the jungles to see the lemurs in their natural habitats. You will also drive into Lake Manombato where you will head to the pretty famous Palmarium Reserve to enjoy the tranquil landscapes also see the elusive ‘Aai Aai’ the secretive lemur which is seen only in the dark.
The drives in Madagascar can vary a lot in time, since many of the roads different from good tar roads to muddy swamp roads which can be really difficult for vehicles to traverse around. So get ready for the unexpected when you head out into the deep forests of Madagascar.
The food in Madagascar is just about amazing, the French cuisine just makes it more special. Got a hankering for oysters, crab legs and freshly-caught fish? Luckily, Madagascar is a haven for seafood to satisfy your cravings. Whether you like it cooked, steamed or eaten raw, this island has it all. Get ready to have a seafood feast of your life once your here on your trip.
From the oceans to the high mountains, to the dense jungles to the stunning waterways, Madagascar has it all and I am certain you will enjoy a breathtaking trip of a lifetime when you come over. Travel is all part of the adventure in Madagascar, and never more so than on the colourful journey along the north of the island to the south towards Tana.
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