Madagascar

Madagascar – A Most Unique Safari Experience

The Origins of Biodiversity

The unique ecology of the island is created by geographic isolation. Around 120 million years ago the super continent Gondwana split up. Prior to this the island had been part of the Indian continental plate. However, 88 million years ago as the Indian subcontinent drifted north away from Gondwana, the island split off from the Indian plate and remained near the African continent. Today, it is the 4th largest island in the world and remains in isolation separated from the African mainland by the Mozambique Channel.

Unique Madagascar Animals

This 88 million years of isolation has created a unique global travel hot spot of biodiversity. Therefore, 90% of the plant species and Madagascar animals that exist here are found nowhere else on earth. Madagascar Lemurs evolved independently from monkeys on the island and have developed into over 100 different species. I had rather extensive encounters with 3 species of lemur including the ring tailed lemur, brown lemur and also the nocturnal mouse lemur species that we discovered.

Ring Tailed Lemur


Brown Lemurs

Nocturnal Mouse Lemur

More Madagascar Animals Photos

The many different lemur species on Madagascar are by far the most popular and recognizable. However, additional animal species also live on this exotic island and make this one of the best global travel destinations. For example chameleons are rather abundant and if you are lucky you will encounter some.

Chameleon

Madagascar Endangered Species

Unfortunately, some of the Madagascar animals are endangered species. The government of Madagascar has limited resources however, there are many national parks where the animals are protected. Additionally, park maintenance and protection of animal habitat creates employment opportunities for the local residents. As a result, endangered species such as the albino blind fish and the radiated tortoise can be found at Tsimanampetsotsa Nature Reserve near Anakao.

Blind Fish

The radiated tortoise is an example of an endangered species in Madagascar that can still be encountered quite easily if you happen to be at Tsimanampetsotsa Nature Reserve.

Radiated Tortoise

Plants in Madagascar

There are several locations to view the unique plant biodiversity that the island has to offer. To view trees and plants in Madagascar the Spiny Forest in Ifaty is a prime location.

Spiny Forest

Isalo National Park and Tsimanampetsotsa Nature Reserve also have excellent specimens for viewing.
As a result travelers can find multiple examples of Banyan trees, Octopus Trees and 6 of the world’s 9 species of Baobab. Furthermore, other endemic plants on the island include hundreds of unique species of orchid.

Big Sharks In Madagascar Waters 

Also, there are big sharks in the area and if you are so inclined it is likely that the local Vezo fisherman could take you out shark fishing.

The best fishing is offshore near the reefs and fortunately the villages in southern Madagascar are all fishing oriented. Therefore, everyone in town is a fisherman and has a boat. Thus, booking your fishing expedition will be easy and affordable so you can go out everyday if you like.

Sustainable Global Travel

Madagascar is also the name of a children’s cartoon movie that has become very popular globally. However, the island is best appreciated in the real world. Opportunities for adventure are abundant and so are excellent opportunities for Madagascar animals pictures. Unfortunately, over 90% of the population of 22,000,000 still live on less than $2 per day. Abject poverty on the island is the worst that I have witnessed anywhere in Africa or Asia and it remains a very serious matter. This island republic is a country that would benefit greatly from practicing sustainable global travel. As a result, the population would benefit from the additional source of income and could invest more in the protection of the remaining endangered species in Madagascar

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madagascar