Madagascar

Introduction ixPART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION 1Chapter 1 The Country 3Geography 3, Climate 3, A brief history 5, Government and politics 11, Economy 11Chapter 2 People and Culture 13Origins 13, Beliefs and customs 13, Malagasy society 20, Ethnic groups 24, Language 30Chapter 3 Natural History 33Introduction 33, Geology 35, Flora 38, Fauna 47, Madagascar's ecosystems 67, Conservation 71, Protected areas 75Chapter 4 Practical Information 77When to visit 77, Choosing a trip to suit you 77, Highlights and itineraries 83, Tour operators 86, Red tape 90, Getting there 91, What to take 93, Money 96, Getting around 97, Accommodation 103, Eating and drinking 105, Public holidays 107, Shopping for souvenirs 109, Arts and entertainment 111, Communications 111, Business hours 112Chapter 5 Health and Safety 115Before you go 115, Travel clinics and health information 119, Specific health issues 119, Medical kit 124, Safety 124, Advice for specific types of traveller 128Chapter 6 Madagascar and You 133Responsible tourism 133, How you can help 139PART TWO THE GUIDE 147Chapter 7 Antananarivo and Area 149History 149, Ivato airport area 150, What to see and do near the airport 155, Antananarivo city 158, What to see and do in Tana 175, Day excursions from Tana 178, Overnight excursions 180Chapter 8 The Highlands South of Tana 183Tana to Antsirabe 183, Antsirabe (PK 169) and around 187, Ambositra (PK 259) and around 194, Ambositra to Fianarantsoa 198, Ranomafana National Park 200, Fianarantsoa (PK 408) and around 203, Ambalavao (PK 465) and around 208, Andringitra Massif 212, Ambalavao to Ihosy 214Chapter 9 The South 216History 216, Ihosy to Ranohira 218, Isalo National Park 219, The Makay Massif 222, Ranohira to Toliara 223, Toliara (PK 945) 225, Ifaty and Mangily 236, North of Ifaty 240, Anakao 243, South of Anakao 246, Toliara to Taolagnaro (Fort Dauphin) 248, The far south 250, Mandrare Valley 251, Taolagnaro (Fort Dauphin) 256Chapter 10 East of Tana 267Antananarivo-Côte Est Railway 267, Tana to Moramanga 268, Lake Alaotra 271, Zahamena National Park 273, Moramanga to Andasibe 273, Andasibe area 273, Andasibe to Brickaville 280, Brickaville to Toamasina 281Chapter 11 South of Toamasina 283Pangalanes Canal 28, The east coast from Vatomandry to Mananjary 288, The east coast from Mananjary to Taolagnaro 289Chapter 12 Toamasina and the Northeast 297History 297, Toamasina (Tamatave) 298, Toamasina to Soanierana-Ivongo 306, Soanierana-Ivongo to Maroantsetra 309, Masoala Peninsula 316, Antalaha to Iharana (Vohemar) 319, Andapa area 326Chapter 13 Ile Sainte Marie (Nosy Boraha) 333Ile Sainte Marie, main island 334, Ile aux Nattes (Nosy Nato) 341Chapter 14 The North 343Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) 343, Ramena and the east coast 350, Excursions west from Antsiranana 353, Montagne d'Ambre (Amber Mountain) National Park 354, Excursions south from Antsiranana 357, Ankarana National Park 358, From Antsiranana to Iharana (Vohemar) by road 362, Ambilobe to Ambanja (and on to Nosy Be) 365, Bays and inlets accessible to yachts 367Chapter 15 Nosy Be and Nearby Islands 369History 369, Transport 371, Activities and excursions 371, Hell-Ville (Andoany) 376, Ambatoloaka 379, Beach hotels and other accommodation 381, Islands around Nosy Be 385, Mitsio Islands (northeast of Nosy Be) 389, Islands southwest of Nosy Be 390Chapter 16 The West 393Mahajanga (Majunga) 395, Ankarafantsika National Park 402, Southwest of Mahajanga 405, Fly-in beach resorts northeast of Mahajanga 407, Northeast of Mahajanga by road 409, Maintirano to Morondava 412, Morondava 422, Morondava to Toliara 426, River trips 432Appendix 1 Historical Chronology 435Appendix 2 The Malagasy Language 438Appendix 3 Further Information 441Index 448