The landscape varies from lush rainforests, dry deserts and grassy plains which cover the island and is surrounded by coral reefs and mangrove forests along its coastlines. With 90% of the plants and animals that are found on Madagascar found nowhere else on earth, this island delivers a whole new experience for travellers in Africa.
Overview
- The fourth largest island in the world
- Unique biodiversity
- An animal found nowhere else on earth
- Half of the world’s species of chameleons
- An unusual predator
- The tree of life
- About the Malagasy
- A ritual like no other
- Bumpy roads ahead
- Bare-knuckle fighting
From its distinct flora and fauna, including lemurs found nowhere else on Earth, to its diverse landscapes that range from lush rainforests to otherworldly limestone formations, Madagascar is a treasure trove of natural and cultural wonders waiting to be explored. So, fasten your seatbelts as we delve into the heart of this extraordinary island and unveil the mysteries that make Madagascar a one-of-a-kind destination.
1. The fourth largest island in the world
Madagascar is the world’s fourth largest island, after Greenland, New Guinea, and Borneo. It's often referred to as a “mini continent” because of its diverse geography and climate. The island's vast expanse encompasses a breathtaking range of landscapes, from dense rainforests and highland plateaus to semi-arid regions and pristine coastal areas. This hard to reach place is so worth the journey.
2. Unique biodiversity
Madagascar is celebrated for its remarkable biodiversity, as indigenous flora and fauna have evolved in isolation since the country's separation from India 88 million years ago. Strong ocean currents have isolated the island from the African continent. Around 92% of the island's mammals, 89% of its plant species, and 95% of its reptiles are endemic to the island. Much of the island and its animals are at risk of deforestation, habitat loss and poaching, making sustainable tourism in Madagascar even more important. This encourages the protection of natural areas and supports biodiversity efforts.
3. An animal found nowhere else on earth
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Zombitse National Park, Madagascar by Annelieke Huijgens
Zombitse National Park, Madagascar by Annelieke Huijgens
If there’s one thing that Madagascar is known for, it’s their lemurs. Endemic to Madagascar, lemurs are the oldest living primates in the world, with over 100 species found on the island.
Lemurs thrived with no mammal competition, evolving into an array of sizes and shapes, from the sizeable indri that weighs up to 9.5kg, to the tiny Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur, weighing in at a mere 30g! If we rewind 2,000 years to shortly after humans arrived on the island though, there were lemurs as large as male gorillas!
4. Half of the world’s species of chameleon
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Ranomafana, Madagascar by Annelieke Huijgens
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Anja Reserve, Madagascar by Annelieke Huijgens
Madagascar is home to around half of the world’s 150 species of chameleons, including the world’s largest and smallest chameleons. The Parson’s chameleon holds the title for the largest, reaching a length of up to 65cm. On the opposite end of the scale is the Brookesia nana, also known as the nano-chameleon, identified in 2021 and measuring a mere 22mm.
Before the nano-chameleon's discovery, the smallest known chameleon was the Brookesia micra, also known as the Nosy Hara leaf chameleon, with a length of up to 29mm. In fact, the Brookesia micra is so tiny that it can perch on the head of a matchstick!
5. An unusual predator
Fossa by Nathan Rupert, Flickr
As if lemurs and chameleons weren’t intriguing enough, Madagascar is also home to the fossa, the largest carnivorous mammal on the island. With paws like a cat, a long tail like a monkey and round ears like a weasel, this fascinating creature is closely related to the mongoose. The fossa can weigh up to 10kg and is equally comfortable on the ground or amongst the trees. A carnivorous hunter, it preys on small to medium-sized animals, but its main food source is the lemur!
6. The tree of life
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Reniala Reserve, Madagascar by Annelieke Huijgens
Reniala Reserve, Madagascar by Annelieke Huijgens
Aside from its iconic wildlife, Madagascar is renowned for its towering baobab trees, the national tree of Madascar, which can grow up to 30 metres tall and boast a lifespan of over 1,000 years. The thick, straight trunk of the tree swells into the shape of a bottle as it collects rainwater. Recognised as the 'tree of life,' the baobab serves as a vital resource, offering sustenance, water, refuge, and medicinal benefits to both humans and animals. In Madagascar, there are six endemic species of baobab, contributing to the country's unique biodiversity, out of a global total of nine.
Visit the Reniala Reserve on our Discover Madagascar tour, uncovering an impressive forest of baobab trees.
7. About the Malagasy
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Antanarivo, Madagascar by Annelieke Huijgens
Humans have lived in Madagascar only for about 1,300 years. The indigenous people of Madagascar are known as the Malagasy and boast a diverse ancestry that traces back to Southeast Asia, Africa, and India. For centuries, many small kingdoms ruled different areas of the island. They speak the Malagasy language, an Austronesian language that is related to languages spoken in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. French is also an official language, as Madagascar was a former French colony until 1960. France invaded the island in 1883, following more than a decade of resistance from the island’s kingdoms. The country officially declared Madagascar a French colony in 1896 and broke up the competing kingdoms.
After World War II, in 1947, locals fought for their independence from France in what became known as the Malagasy Uprising. In 1960, Madagascar finally became an independent nation.
Spending time with the locals is an integral part of travel that must not be missed, this is how we get a feel for the country, its people and its culture. The capital city of Madagascar, Antananarivo, is a bustling, busy and colourful place, home to approximately 4 million people. On our Discover Madagascar tour we’ll tour the city, visiting local craft markets and enjoy a cooking class. Special travel experiences such as these create plenty of opportunities to soak up the atmosphere and make the best memories!
8. A ritual like no other
The Malagasy people hold deep reverence for their ancestors and engage in a tradition known as famadihana, also called the 'turning of the bones.' During the ceremony, people retrieve their ancestors' remains and rewrap them in fresh burial attire, rewriting their names on the cloth to keep their memory alive. Lifting the corpses above their heads they then dance around the tomb to music before returning them to the family tomb. This sacred ritual is performed every five to seven years to pay homage to the deceased, strengthen family connections, and seek blessings from the departed spirits.
9. Bumpy roads ahead
Madagascar has one of the least developed road networks in the world. While 70 percent of primary roads are in good condition, about two-thirds of secondary and tertiary roads are estimated to be in poor condition, leading to a partnership between Transaid (an international development charity that facilitates local transport solutions) and Malagasy NGO Lalana developing a training curriculum for bicycle assembly, maintenance, repairs and management of bicycles for community health workers.
Be prepared to travel on poorly maintained dirt roads, and for travel to take longer than expected! It’s all part of the adventure. Luckily though, on our Discover Madagascar tour, you can sit back and enjoy the scenery while we take care of the transportation throughout this beautiful country.
10. Bare knuckle fighting
Moraingy is a traditional martial art of Madagascar that involves bare-fisted striking, kicking, and sometimes headbutting. It stands as a ceremonial competition showcasing both strength and skill that is usually accompanied by music and performed at celebrations and ceremonies. It has spread to other Indian Ocean islands, such as Réunion, where it is known as moringue or batay kreol.
Visiting Madagascar
Want to find out more about the fascinating country of Madagascar? Check out our Discover Madagascar tour! With a maximum of 12 people on this tour, you can enjoy the destination and create lifelong memories. We take care of the planning, itinerary, tips and transport so you can enjoy the experience without the stress.
We would love to have you join us. Get in touch today and ask about our scheduled trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Madagascar famous for?
Just over 400km east of southern Africa, across the Mozambique Channel, lies the 4th largest island in the world - the island of Madagascar. Best known for its lemurs, beautiful beaches, colourful chameleons, stunning orchids, and towering baobab trees.
What animal is only found in Madagascar?
The lemur! Which is also Madagascar's national animal and the only place in the world where lemurs are found in the wild; the island's lack of predators and its isolation from the rest of the world has ensured they thrive.
What is Madagascar's national dish?
Malagasy cuisine is known for being quite flavourful despite being prepared simply without much spice as you can find in other African dishes. Romazava is the national dish of Madagascar, consisting of greens, zebu meat, tomatoes, and onions, typically accompanied by a portion of rice.
