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Although Madagascar has over 1,800 miles of beautiful beaches, exceptionally good food, and offers great value for the tourist dollar, its UNIQUE features are it greatest attraction. Among the discoveries that await the traveler ...
 LEMURS:
Nine-tenths of these endangered primates are only found in Madagascar. Some of the best known are:
- the dwarf MICROCEBUS, no bigger than a mouse, found all over the island
- the lemur CATTA, with its distinctive gray body and long black-and-white striped tail, seen in the Berenty Reserve near Ft. Dauphin
- the lemur SIFAKA, which leaps 30 feet or more from branch to branch, also seen at the Berrenty Reserve
- the INDRI, the tallest of all lemurs and which does not survive in captivity, can be seen in the Perinet Reserve in eastern Madagascar
- the AYE AYE, rarest of all lemurs, found on the island of Nosy Mangabe or in the region of Maroantsetra
 EXOTIC BIRDS:
Five families of birds are endemic to the island of Madagascar. Notable are;
- the marvelous VANGAS, found all over the island
- the COUAS, including the crested COUA, one of the most beautiful birds of Madagascar; and the PEEWIT, easily identified by its unique call
- the CORACIIDAE, including the ROLLER BIRD, with its remarkable colors
- an abundance of AQUATIC BIRDS in rice plantations and ponds; such as herons, egrets, cormorants, ibises, ducks, water hens and flamingos
- BIRDS OF PREY, such as eagles, falcons, and owls
- more than 70 difference species of singing birds and parrots, including the VASA PARROT
 RARE PLANTS:
Madagascar boasts one of the richest flora in the world and shelters more than 10,000 varieties of plants, most with no other refuge, including:
- 1,000 different species of ORCHIDS, including the ANGRAECUM SESQUIPEDALE, the rarest of all with its white flowers, and the exotic black orchid; both found mostly in the eastern rain forests.
- the RAVENALA, or "provident plant", a water-storing bottle tree; and the RAPHIA PALM, found in the east and south
- 6 different species of BAOBABS, 5 more than in all Africa
- the carnivorous NEPENTHES, or "pitcher plant"
- the spiny succulent forest of the south, with its KALANCHOE, ALOE, EUPHORBIA, and PACHYPODIUM
Madagascar is the number one priority in the international community for conservation of endangered species and preservation of its extraordinary biodiversity. The responsible eco-traveler will greatly contribute to the international conservation effort and will be very much welcomed by the friendly Malagasy people.
ARE YOU READY FOR MADAGASCAR?
 A forgotten land as far as tourism is concerned, Madagascar is not for everyone. Changes, delays, occasional chaos are all part of traveling in Madagascar, so potential travelers should be well-qualified and thoroughly briefed to avoid unhappy experiences for all concerned.
Potential travelers should also be warned of the health hazards, lack of safety equipment (life jackets and/or rafts) in boats and other embarcations; of the scarcity of medical facilities outside of Antananarivo and the fact that the medical facilities available in the capital are not up to American standards. In other words, traveling to Madagascar definitely involves a certain amount of risk.
If one requires more than basic comfort (food and shelter), expects his trip to happen exactly as outlined in the brochure and is shaken by unexpected, sometimes drastic changes, and is not in good health or physical condition, then Madagascar – at this time – is not the right destination.
If, on the other hand, one has a true spirit of adventure akin to that of the early explorers, is willing to accept and trade some aggravation and discomfort for incredible flora and unique wildlife in a pristine land, and welcomes the unexpected as the very essence of adventure travel, then Madagascar will prove to be the destination of a lifetime to return to again and again.
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