MADAGASCAR A Lost World
Madagascar truly is a lost world . Thanks to its long isolation from neighbouring continents , it ’ s home to some 2,300 species of plants and animals , most of which are found nowhere else . For years , adventurous travellers have driven its rugged 4WD tracks in search of dancing lemurs , eye-spinning chameleons and that strange mix between cat and mongoose – the predatory fossa .
Packed into the planet ’ s fourth-largest island is a landscape so diverse it astounds . Central highlands run nearly the entire 1580km length , separating the tropical , rainforested lowlands in the east from the drier , rain-shadowed lands in the west .
Sandstone canyons and red-rock formations , forests of limestone pinnacle some 300m high , idyllic tropical islands ,
10 Ultimate Adventure Pass chains of freshwater lakes and mangrove lowlands create habitats not just for strange reptiles and mammals , but breathtakingly beautiful birds and a rich collection of plants , including Darwin ’ s orchid – the world ’ s rarest .
But perhaps the island ’ s greatest secret is also its most obvious – the warm and friendly people . The Malagasy are proud of their heritage and are keen to share their art , handicrafts , food and music ( both spicy ).
FRIENDLY FACES OF MADAGASCAR
Madagascar ’ s extraordinary wildlife dominates international perception of “ the eighth continent ” and rightfully so . Ninety per cent of its plants and animals are found nowhere else on Earth . Yet many visitors speak of Madagascar ’ s people , the Malagasy , with fondest regard .
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