Madagascar
In the north-east of Madagascar, Masoala peninsula harbours primary forests with enormous wealth in terms of biodiversity.
The green side of the long Sambirano Valley contrasts with the dry landscape of savannah and red soil on the western coast of the island.
Ambilobe is the starting point when heading to the magnificent Tsingys,a must on a trip to Madagascar.
The emerald sea is found at the entrance to Diégo-Suarez bay, the second biggest bay in the world after Rio de Janeiro. Tiny desert islands are scattered over this startling coloured water.
Not only does this northern Madagascan island provide a habitat for some magnificent and wonderful plants and animals, it has beautiful beaches to offer too. Nosy Mangabe truly is a little piece of heaven on earth!
Welcome to the vanilla capital. Antalaha,which was still a village in the 19th century, is now a prosperous town, thanks to the introduction of vanilla at the start of the 20th century.
Antsokay Arboretum is located around one and a quarter miles north of the Tropic of Capricorn and was founded in 1980 by Hermann Petignat, a Swiss botanist. The organisation that manages the arboretum is working to protect the endemic flora of southern Madagascar.
The Sahamalaza-Iles Radama National Park covers more than 26,000 hectares, half of which is over seabeds. The rest of its surface is comprised of coastal forests and the mangrove. The site has been classified as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.
Marojejy National Park is one of the most beautiful wilderness areas of the country. Its beauty originates from its "Jurassic" atmosphere: 90% of its hilly terrain is covered by primary forest.
Mahajanga is an important city of the north-west of Madagascar. Located at the mouth of the Betsiboka River on the Mozambique Channel, the city has approximately 200,000 inhabitants and is the capital of the region that bears the same name.
This once southern seas pirates’ hide-away is now well known as a meeting point for humpback whales. Saint Mary’s Island, very elongated in shape (30.5 miles long by 3 miles wide), is named for its discovery due to a shipwreck that occurred on a 15th of August, Assumption Day. What is more, it has the oldest church in Madagascar, built in 1857.
Poised on the banks of the River Mahajilo, which flows in to the Tsiribihina, "where one must not dive", Miandrivazo is the hottest town in Madagascar.
Welcome below the Tropic of Capricorn. Toliara has about 200,000 people. Nicknamed the "white city", it's the capital of southern Madagascar.
In southeastern Madagascar, the city of Fianarantsoa was built in the 19th century, when Queen Ranavalona wanted to build a city between the capital and the South. Literally the "city of good education" , its name is suggestive: it's an important religious centre. It is also known for the training of its intellectuals.
Joffreville is apeaceful little town near Diégo-Suarez..
Located in the Haute Matsiatra region, Ambalavao is nestled in a valley at the foot of the Andringitra Massif which reaches 2,658 metres at its highest point, the second highest in the country. Three rocky hillocks, called the Portes du Sudrise up a few kilometres from the town.
The city of Antsohihy has a population of approximately 25,000 inhabitants. It is located in the Sofia region of northern Madagascar, on the National 6 between Antananarivo and Diego-Suarez and mid-way between this latter and Mahajanga.
Ankarafantsika National Park and its lakes are the ideal place for bird watching. There are lots of lakes but be careful! It is taboo for woman to swim.
Katsepy is a village near Mahajanga, which is the starting point for some beautiful walks along the coast or inland.
