Madagascar is a nation occupying a huge island with same name. It is situated in the Indian Ocean off Africa’s eastern coast. It is the world’s fourth biggest island. Madagascar is world renowned for its vanilla, pepper and lemurs. It includes many smaller islands as well and has a series of high mountains called the Hauts Plateaux at its centre. The split by these mountains results into the division the country into west and east coasts that are further differentiated from each other climatically, scenically and ethnically. The east coast is a thin lowland strip and has a dense cover of rainforests. It was settled by Polynesian seafaring people since the sixth century. The landscape of the west coat is much broader and earlier it was covered by forests of dry and deciduous type. Presently, the west coast is mainly savannah.
Madagascar comprises of six provinces, namely Antsiranana, Antananarivo, Mahajanga, Fianarantsoa, Toliara and Toamasina. Madagascar being an island can be reached only by way of boat or plane. Sea transportation is of good quality and Watson’s Boat Taxi operates services from and to the island. Majority of the foreigners need to shell out a visa fee that is approximately US$83. There are regular boat links from Mauritiusvia Reunion and east coasts’s Toamasina. Madagascar has the best air connections from Tananarive to Paris by air carriers like Air France and Air Madagascar. There are flights operated by AirMad from Milan to Nosy Be and Antananarivo. The travelers from the eastern region generally use the air services of Air Mauritius. Air Madagascar also operates flights between Bangkok to Antananarivo and Nairobi to Tananarive. There are regular codeshared flights of SA Airlink and Air Madagascar from Johannesburg in South Africa.
You can get around in Madagascar by the domestic and inland flights of Air Madagascar. It is advisable to check in advance about the flight status as there are timetable changes at very short notice. Madagascar has three railway lines and the railway network dates back from the times of colonial rule. You can take the historic train between Toamasina and Antananarivo. The train takes you through breathtaking landscapes between Manakara and Fianarantsoa and you are able to taste the local cuisine and fruits at every station. The roads in Madagascar are not all that well developed, but the road transport is the cheapest travel available. The other modes of transport in Madagascar include taxi-brousse, taxi-be, yacht charter and bicycles. You can experience a unique holiday by way of Yacht charter. Bikes are also great for exploring the small villages and towns.
The places of tourist interest in Madagascar include Masoala National Park, Tsingy de Bemaraha Reserve. Antananarivo is the capital city and the places to visit over here are the Queen’s Palace, Royal Village, Analakely Market, Zoma Market and Tsimbazaza Zoological and Botanical Garden. The forbidden city of Abohimanga is also a captivating tourist attraction. Do not miss Mantasoa, Ampefy volcanic region, geysers and waterfalls, Perinet Nature Reserve and Antsirabe industrial center. The other tourist attractions in Madagascar are Mahajanga, Nossi Be, Antseranana, Ile Ste-Marie and the various national parks.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Leave a Reply