Madagascar

In Madagascar the eco-systems are staggeringly beautiful. The west coast has deep bays and well protected harbours which have attracted explorers, traders and pirates from Europe, Africa and the Middle East since ancient times. Its people are a unique blend of culture of over 20 tribes, with fascinating roots originating initially from Indonesia and Africa.Located off the African coast, Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world and is second only to the Amazon Basin in the biodiversity stakes. Coral reefs and sandy beaches fringe the island, while dry deciduous forests can be found in the west, rainforests to the east and semi-desert conditions in the south.

This diverse terrain is home to staggering 200,000 species of flora and fauna, 80 per cent of which are endemic to the island. All but a tiny percentage of its mammals and amphibians and over half of its bird population cannot be found anywhere else on earth. One will also find seven of the world’s eight types of baobab trees and over half its entire gecko species here. In Madagascar whole endemic plant families have evolved in languid isolation for millions of years and have become so specialised that they resemble no other plant community in the world. There are over 10,000 species of plant in Madagascar, including 1,000 strains of orchid. One explores the forests by day as well as with torches at night. The benefit of a holiday in Madagascar, as opposed to archetypal African safari locations, is that here nothing is poisonous, so it can all be approached with ease.

It is probably best known for its lemur populations, of which the comical ring-tails and dancing sifakas are the most iconic. There are in fact more than 50 lemur species with more being discovered regularly, for example, a new nocturnal mouse lemur was discovered as recently as June 2006. Therefore every luxury holiday holds the adventure of discovering something new.

Even more intriguing is the recent discovery of giant, self-destructing palms which are so large that they can be seen from satellites. Named Tahina spectabilis, which means ‘blessed’ or ‘to be protected’ in Malagasy, they only exist in the northwest of the island where they grow to about 20 metres high with leaves of 5 metres long. When the tree flowers, is expends so much energy that it collapses and dies.

The island’s 20 tribes, originating initially from Indonesia and subsequently Africa, offer visitors a fascinating insight into the cultural beliefs, taboos and traditions that have grown up over the years in this cultural melting pot.

Today the stunning beaches and islands attract a different kind of explorer looking for untouched coral reef, snow white sand and turquoise waters. The central highlands contain rounded and eroded hills, massive granite outcrops, extinct volcanoes and alluvial plains and marshes, which have been converted into irrigated rice fields. The Ihorombe Region is achingly haunting, with forested canyons and crystal clear natural swimming pools in which to cool off after some wonderful hiking. Possibly the most bizarre region of all, the spiny desert of the southwest, should definitely be visited.

The resorts split their locale between both the coastal region and more densely vegetated areas.

If looking for a unique or tailor-made experience, Madagascar is one of the weirdest and most wonderful countries one is ever likely to visit.