The History of Madagascar started from the ancient supercontinent of Pangaea, containing amongst others the African continent and the Indian subcontinent, and by the island's late colonization by human settlers from the Sunda Islands (Malay Archipelago) and from East Africa.These two factors facilitated the evolution and survival of thousands of endemic plant and animal species, some of which have gone extinct or are currently threatened with extinction. Trade in the Indian Ocean at the time of first colonization of Madagascar was dominated by Indonesian ships, probably of Borobudur ship and K'un-lun po types.
An Austronesian outrigger canoe; Malagasy vahoaka"people" is from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian*va-waka "people of the canoe". The Vahoaka Ntaolo, the first Austronesian ancestors of the Malagasy, probably used similar canoes to reach the great island from the Sunda Islands
Your experience of Madagascar will vary greatly depending on when you visit. Put simply, this is a country where the weather matters.
When is the best time to visit Madagascar?
Madagascar is an adventurous destination, and for many visitors, a trip here is the adventure of a lifetime. But while it’s possible to visit year-round, when you come can greatly influence the kind of adventure you get to enjoy.
The climate of Madagascar can be divided into two very different seasons – the dry season (April to October) and the wet season (November to March), though there can be a little movement around the edges with these timings.
Poor roads are a fact of life that affects the lives of ordinary people in Madagascar far more than it does tourists. And to a certain extent, it’s just something you’ll have to learn to live with, as it is one of the trade-offs of traveling in a country that otherwise has so many things that impress.
Long-tailed lemurs can be found in parks like the Ranomafana national park.
If wildlife is a big part of the reason why you’re visiting Madagascar, planning is not just about the weather. You should familiarize yourself with the best times to see your chosen wildlife, whether it’s when the whales show off as they pass by Madagascar’s coast or the months with the clearest visibility for diving and snorkeling.
Romazava is a national dish of Madagascar, consisting of greens, zebu meat, tomatoes and onions. Fanfo/Shutterstock
Madagascar may not be known as a culinary destination. In fact, it’s all too easy to travel around the country and eat international dishes in tourist hotels and restaurants without ever really sampling the local tastes. But there’s plenty to enjoy if you know where to look and, apart from the food itself, sharing a meal is a great way to meet the locals. If you’re here on a tour, let your tour operator know in advance that local food is a factor.
Locals, especially those who work in tourism, won’t expect you to get everything right. But at least trying to get it right goes a long way to breaking down barriers between you and local people.
Some customs are easier to fulfil. Greetings are considered important – when meeting a local for the first time, take the time to greet them warmly (follow your lead from them as to whether to shake hands) and ask how they are, how their family is, and so on. And if you’re lucky enough to be invited to someone’s home, bring rice or a bottle of rum for your hosts.
While Madagascar is overwhelmingly safe to visit, from time to time there are localized concerns that you should be aware of. Sometimes this relates to a rise in pickpocketing in major cities, perhaps a rise in local unrest or banditry after dark along certain roads.
Entering Madagascar couldn’t be easier – visas valid for 15 days, 30 days or 60 days are available on arrival for most nationalities at all international airports. Visa fees vary depending on how long you plan on staying, but you'll need to pay in cash in euros or U.S. dollars – bring a range of different notes. Don’t be surprised if your friendly immigration official asks under his or her breath for a small gift or claims to not have change – decline or persist politely and you’ll soon be waved through.
Although you can use credit cards (Visa and MasterCard) in high-end restaurants, hotels and some tourist shops, cash remains king in Madagascar. Your best bet is to bring euros and U.S. dollars in a wide range of denominations, which you should be able to change in banks (the best rates but limited opening hours), private foreign exchange offices (open on weekends but they offer slightly lower rates) or through your tour operator. Some tour operators, hotels or shops will accept U.S. dollars or euros for large transactions. The Société Générale Madagasikara (SGM) sometimes exchanges other currencies, but don’t count on it.
Antananarivo is the capital city of Madagascar, in the island’s Central Highlands. Overlooking the city, the Rova of Antananarivo palace complex was the center of the Merina kingdom from the 17th century. It features wooden houses and royal tombs. The pink baroque Andafiavaratra Palace sits in the nearby Haute Ville neighborhood. In the city center, heart-shaped Lake Anosy is ringed by jacaranda trees.
The Rova of Antananarivo/ˈruːvə/ (Malagasy: Rovan'i Manjakamiadana[ˈruvᵊnmanˌdzakəmiˈadə̥nᵊ]) is a royal palace complex (rova) in Madagascar that served as the home of the sovereigns of the Kingdom of Imerina in the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as of the rulers of the Kingdom of Madagascar in the 19th century. Its counterpart is the nearby fortified village of Ambohimanga, which served as the spiritual seat of the kingdom in contrast to the political significance of the Rova in the capital. Located in the central highland city of Antananarivo, the Rova occupies the highest point on Analamanga, formerly the highest of Antananarivo's many hills. Merina king Andrianjaka, who ruled Imerina from around 1610 until 1630, is believed to have captured Analamanga from a Vazimba king around 1610 or 1625 and erected the site's first fortified royal structure. Successive Merina kings continued to rule from the site until the fall of the monarchy in 1896, frequently restoring, modifying or adding royal structures within the compound to suit their needs.
The Andafiavaratra Palace is a pink baroque palace in Antananarivo, Madagascar. It was the home of a prime minister in the late 19th century and is now a museum.
Tsarasaotra Park
Parc de Tsarasaotra is claimed to be a wildlife reserve and is classified Ramsar (international convention on wetlands). The Parc has plenty of resident birds
The park is a refuge for many birds that can be easily watched and photographed here – among them 14 endangered species that only occur in Madagascar.
Tsarasaotra Park is the ideal starting point for your birdwatching trip to Madagascar.
Imagine a charming lake surrounded by eucalyptus, camphor, rushes and papyrus, with a small green island in the middle. It’s not just a body of water – it’s a haven for a variety of birds, especially herons and ducks.
Black-crowned Night Heron
During the hunting season, Tsarasaotra is crucial to the survival of 14 species and subspecies of waterbirds endemic to Madagascar.
Red billed Duck
On Madagascar’s high plateaux, this is the only place where you can find the endangered Madagascar Pond Heron and other vulnerable species such as the Meller’s Duck. And that’s not all! In addition to its ecological wealth, the park contains historical remains that add to its appeal.
Knob-billed Duck
Knob-billed Duck
Large bicolored waterbird. Both sexes are iridescent purplish-green above with a white or buffy breast. Males have a large black lump on the bill, gray flanks and whitish belly, whereas females have a plain bill and gray flanks. Note all dark wings. Occurs throughout much of Africa, India, and Southeast Asia. Found in freshwater rivers, lakes, and marshes where it is usually uncommon. Normally silent.
Blue-billed Teal
Fulvous Whisling-Duck
Meller’s Duck
White-faceed Whistling duck
African Pygmy- Goose
Colorful miniature waterfowl that is smaller than most ducks. Both sexes have rufous underparts, a dark back, white on the face, and white on the wing in flight. Males have a green patch on the back of the head and a yellow bill; females have a black-and-white head and a dark bill. Found in freshwater wetlands with floating vegetation, especially water lilies. Shy and inconspicuous, as it generally avoids open water. Voice is a high-pitched squeaking. Small size and bold and colorful plumage separate it from other waterfowl.
Malagasy Kingfisher
Malagasy Kestrel
Madagascar Partridge
Dark, chunky, medium-sized ground-dwelling bird. Distinctive male has a complex beautiful pattern, while female is plainer and browner. Widespread in open habitats, most often grassland. Shy and inconspicuous; usually seen when explosively flushing from thick cover. Strangely quiet, which is unusual for a partridge. Found in similar habitats to quail and buttonquail, but much larger. When flushing, Madagascar Partridge has louder wings and more powerful flight.
Madagascar Cuckoo
Madagascar Owl
Morondava
West Madagascar
Avenue of the Baobabs
Overview
Morondava is a town on Madagascar’s west coast. It’s the gateway to the Avenue of the Baobabs, where massive baobab trees tower over the landscape. Nearby, Kirindy Forest is home to lemurs and carnivorous, catlike fossas. Farther north, Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park has jagged limestone pinnacles connected by rope bridges and walkways. South of the city, ships are built by hand on Belo sur Mer’s sandy lagoon.
Some 7 km (4.3 mi) to the northwest are the Baobab Amoureux, which are two notable Adansonia za trees—also an endemic baobab species—that have become twisted to each other as they grew.According to legend, these two baobabs came and grew together across the centuries. Baobabs found themselves after an impossible love between a young man and young woman of the nearby village. Both youths already had designated partners and had to marry separately in their respective villages. However, the impossible couple dreamed of a life and child together and asked the help of their god. Both baobabs were born and now live there for eternity as one as the couple always wished.
Madagascar Sandgrouse
Madagascar sandgrouse
The Madagascar sandgrouse (Pterocles personatus) is a species of bird in the family Pteroclidae. It is endemic to Madagascar and is a ground-dwelling short-legged plump bird. The head of the male is brown with a black area surrounding the beak. It has a pinkish-buff coloured breast, a light brown mottled back, brown wings and paler underparts barred with dark brown. The female has a generally duller appearance being cryptically coloured brown with dark specks and bars.
Brownish bird that is shaped like a large dove. Male has a black front and plain wing with three black bars; female has fine black markings across the back. Long pointed wings power high direct flight. Found in dry, open habitats in western Madagascar, at low and middle elevations. Feeds in open fields, and makes long flights every day to traditional drinking spots, which are often visited with great punctuality. Call is an odd dry chuckling, given frequently in flight.
Namaqua Dove
Whimbrel
Today, Morondava is the centre of a prosperous rice-growing area and a seaside resort with a laid-back atmosphere. The main attraction is its proximity to the famous Avenue of the Baobabs, a cluster of giant Grandidier’s baobab, perhaps Madagascar's most iconic landmark. The Avenue became a protected natural monument in 2007 and new trees have been planted on the 320 ha reserve. A little further than the Avenue des Baobabs is Kirindy Reserve, a protected patch of dense deciduous woodland, and the best place in Madagascar to see the fossa, the country's biggest predator. It also hosts a range of other rare endemic species including Labord's chameleon and the giant jumping rat.
Behind the town are mangroves that host egrets, ibises and herons. Morondava's long sandy beaches and sleepy streets are best visited at sunset.
Morondava is a fisherman’s beachside town on the west coast of Madagascar. Anyone planning on going to the Tsingy Stone Forest will undoubtedly pass through this town whether it’s flying into Morondava airport or to spend a night before venturing on the less than comfortable drive to the Tsingy. Morondava is most famous for the Avenue of the Baobabs.
Grey-headed Lovebird
Eleonora’s Folcon
Malagasy Kestel
Ruddy Turnstone
Pied Crow
Analamazaotra
East Madagascar
FLIRT WITH NATURE IN ANALAMAZAOTRA NATIONAL PARK
The Analamazaotra Special Reserve, which has become a National Park since 2015, is a veritable green setting. Let yourself be tempted by the charm of unspoiled nature.
A veritable paradise of endemism, the site will amaze you with its captivating fauna. Each parcel of the reserve is inhabited by rare or endemic specimens. Your visit brings you to meet the biggest lemur in Madagascar, the Indri Indri, the tailed babakoto as well as other species of lemurs: the varika mena, the lemur bamboo or the Sifaka.
Other animal species inhabit the Analamazaotra National Park. You will observe several varieties of frogs, 109 bird species (raptors and freshwater birds). Discover also the Calumma parsonii uroplatus, the biggest chameleon of Madagascar.
The indri, also called the babakoto, is one of the largest living lemurs, with a head-body length of about 64–72 cm and a weight of between 6 and 9.5 kg. It has a black and white coat and maintains an upright posture when climbing or clinging.
Scaly ground roller
Scaly ground roller
Chunky, long-legged, intricately patterned bird. Pale blue tail tips are conspicuous in flight. Elusive and uncommon; unlikely to be seen by those not searching for it. Found at low and middle elevations in eastern rainforest. Feeds in the understory, avoiding disturbance by fleeing on the ground. Song is a long “bwooooop” note that is repeated slowly, delivered from a low perch.
Helmet Vanga
The helmet vanga (Euryceros prevostii) is a distinctive-looking bird of the vangafamily, Vangidae, and is classified in its own genus, Euryceros. It is mainly blue-black, with rufous wings and a huge arched blue bill. It is restricted to lowland and lower montane rainforests of northeastern Madagascar. Its diet is composed of invertebrates, predominantly insects. The species is threatened by habitat loss.
The Malagasy paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone mutata ) is a species of bird in the family Monarchidae.It is found in Comoros, Madagascar, and Mayotte.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest.
Blue Coua 20 Feb 25 The blue coua (Coua caerulea) is a species of bird in the cuckoo family, Cuculidae. It is endemic to the island of Madagascar. The bird's feathers are a deep blue and there is a distinctive blue oval area around the eye which is free of feathers. Like all cuckoos they have large feet, with a reversible third toe. It has a bulky silhouette and short, broad wings and long tail, all of which can be seen when gliding between trees.
Red-fronted Coua
Dark, long-tailed, long-legged understory bird. When seen well, the dark-green back, red cap, and blue facial skin are distinctive and beautiful. Very shy and skulking; usually found in the densest tangles of the understory of eastern rainforest.
Dark, long-tailed, long-legged understory bird. When seen well, the red breast and black face with blue facial skin are distinctive and beautiful. Very shy bird that spends most of its time walking on the forest floor, sometimes hopping into low tangles. Found in eastern rainforest, mainly at low elevations. The most common call is a loud single “treeeeeow.” Slightly larger than Red-capped Coua, with red on the breast rather than the cap. Much longer-tailed than forest-dwelling rails.
Short-legged Ground Roller
Madagascar Ibis
The Madagascar ibis (Lophotibis cristata), also known as the Madagascar crested ibis, white-winged ibis or crested wood ibis, is a medium-sized (approximately 50 cm long), brown-plumagedibis. It has bare red orbital skin, yellow bill, red legs, white wings and its head is partially bare with a dense crest of green or gloss blue and white plumes on the nape. The Madagascar ibis is the only member of the genus Lophotibis.
Madagascar Pigmy Kingfisher
Madagascar Magpie-Robin
Malagasy Sunbird
Souimaga Sunbird
Yellow-billied Sunbird
Yellow-bellied sunbird-asity
The yellow-bellied sunbird-asity (Neodrepanis hypoxantha) is a small species of passerine bird from the asityfamily. The male has black upper parts with a bluish sheen and yellow underparts, and is sometimes known simply as the yellow-bellied asity. It is found only in montane rainforests of Madagascar where it feeds on nectar that it sips from flowers, defending a good nectar source from other nectar-feeding birds. It is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as "vulnerable" due to the diminution and fragmentation of its forest habitat.
Red Fody
The red fody (Foudia madagascariensis), also known as the Madagascar fody in Madagascar, red cardinal fody in Mauritius, or common fody, is a small bird native to Madagascar and introduced to various other islands in the Indian Ocean. It is a common bird within its restricted range, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".
The broad-billed roller (Eurystomus glaucurus) is a member of the roller family of birds which breeds across tropical Africa and Madagascar in all but the driest regions. It is a wet season breeder, which migrates from the northern and southern areas of its range towards the moister equatorial belt in the dry season.
Great Vasa Parrot
Lesser Vasa Parrot
Madagascar Cuckooshrike
Tylas Vanga
Vanga
The family Vangidae (from vanga, Malagasy for the hook-billed vanga, Vanga curvirostris)comprises a group of often shrike-like medium-sized birds distributed from Asia to Africa, including the vangas of Madagascar to which the family owes its name. Many species in this family were previously classified elsewhere in other families. Recent molecular techniques made it possible to assign these species to Vangidae, thereby solving several taxonomic enigmas. The family contains 40 species divided into 21 genera.
Red-tailed Vanga
Red-shouldered Vanga
Nuthatch-Vanga
Madagascar Blue Vanga
Hook-billied Vanga
Nelicourvi Weaved
Madagascar Forest Rail
Madagascar forest rail
The Madagascar forest rail (Mentocrex kioloides), also known as the Madagascar wood rail or the kioloides rail, is a species of bird in the family Sarothruridae. It is endemic to forests, often in wet areas, in northern and eastern Madagascar. The Madagascar forest rail is a secretive and shy species, often showing elusive behavior, such as running away from the slightest disturbances. This has contributed to a lack of study on this species; a reason why it is not that well known
Olive Bee-eater
White-throated Oxylabes
African stonechat
Small, chunky robin-like bird. Males are black and white, with a variable amount of rufous on the underparts. Ethiopian population has a black chest and no red. Females are dark brown on the back and pale below. Both sexes show a variable white wing patch. Found in a wide variety of open habitats, including grassland, heath, marsh, and scrub. Perches up conspicuously. Song is a quick jumbled mix of musical and raspy notes. Similar to the migratory Whinchat, but lacks conspicuous white eye-stripe, and shows white on the rump rather than the base of the tail.
African Stonechat
Cuckoo-roller
The cuckoo-roller occupies a wide variety of habitats, including altered areas. They inhabit forest, including rainforest, litoral forest, deciduous forest, spiny bush-forest, and tree plantations. In the Comoros, the species is found on all the major islands, particularly in forested zones. It can be found from near sea level up to 2000 m.
For a night safari in eastern Madagascar, consider parks like Ranomafana National Park or Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, known for their diverse nocturnal wildlife, including lemurs like the aye-aye.
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MADAGASCAR BY NIGHT – NOCTURNAL WILDLIFE WALK
It is no secret that Madagascar is home to some of the world’s most intriguing and wonderful flora and fauna. After dark, a very different cast of characters emerge from their daytime hideouts to forage in the forests and woods of Madagascar.
Great places for night walks include Kirinidy Forest, Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, and Ranomafana National Park. We recommend that you take every opportunity there is, as the night-walks deliver such an amazing experience to that which you view during the day. Nocturnal lemurs, such as the various species of Woolly, Sportive, Dwarf and Mouse lemurs can be seen; along with Parsons Chameleon, frogs, moths and even snakes!
Tip: Ensure you take a good torch with you, along with a pair of binoculars.
Species endemic to Madagascar
The following is a list of species endemic to Madagascar.
The Rova of Antananarivo /ˈruːvə/ (Malagasy: Rovan'i Manjakamiadana [ˈruvᵊnmanˌdzakəmiˈadə̥nᵊ]) is a royal palace complex (rova) in Madagascar that served as the home of the sovereigns of the Kingdom of Imerina in the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as of the rulers of the Kingdom of Madagascar in the 19th century. Its counterpart is the nearby fortified village of Ambohimanga, which served as the spiritual seat of the kingdom in contrast to the political significance of the Rova in the capital. Located in the central highland city of Antananarivo, the Rova occupies the highest point on Analamanga, formerly the highest of Antananarivo's many hills. Merina king Andrianjaka, who ruled Imerina from around 1610 until 1630, is believed to have captured Analamanga from a Vazimba king around 1610 or 1625 and erected the site's first fortified royal structure. Successive Merina kings continued to rule from the site until the fall of the monarchy in 1896, frequently restoring, modifying or adding royal structures within the compound to suit their needs.
Parc de Tsarasaotra is claimed to be a wildlife reserve and is classified Ramsar (international convention on wetlands). The Parc has plenty of resident birds 
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