Madagascar Holiday

The island nation of Madagascar has thick tropic forests, full of fascinating creatures and plants, some lovely beach resorts and a colourful indigenous culture.

East of Mozambique, Madagascar was an independent kingdom for centuries and divided into a number of chiefdoms. It became a key Arab trading post from the seventh century onwards, while the first European to visit the island was the Portuguese sea captain Diego Dias. A favourite haunt for pirates, the island became a French colony in 1896 and gained its independence in 1960

Located off the coast of southern Africa, in the Indian Ocean, Madagascar covers an area of 594,180 sq km (229,413 sq miles). The third largest island in the world, it has a population of around 18 million people, mostly of mixed Asian and African origin.

Madagascar has had a shaky political history since independence, largely caused by tensions between tribes, though the government is now relatively stable following sweeping reforms in 2004. The country is divided into six autonomous provinces and its economy is reliant on tourism, agriculture, textiles and light manufacturing.

The island republic is home to a staggering five per cent of the world's plant and animal species and 80 per cent of them are unique to Madagascar, including lemurs, its own bird families and baobab trees. Referred to by ecologists as "the eighth continent" because of its lengthy isolation, Madagascar also has numerous species of monkeys, snakes, crocodiles, geckoes, aloes and octopus trees.

The vast Parc National de Ranomafana and Parc National de L'Isalo are full of dramatic scenery and fascinating plant and animal life. Nature hikes and treks can be arranged fairly easily and a growing number of companies are now offering guided tours to the island.

The capital Antananarivo is crowded, busy and loud and is certainly worth paying a visit to, with some lively bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Key sights in and around the city include the ruins of Rova, the former Queen's palace, the market district of Analakely and Ambohimanga, the original capital of the Merina royal family, which features original tribal gateways.

The resort island of Nosy Be and its neighbouring smaller islands provide the perfect paradise island setting to a relaxing beach holiday, with excellent diving, dining and bars and some charming hotels.

The island has a varied geography, with volcanic mountains in the northern Tsaratanana Massif, tropical forests, steep bluffs and highlands in the centre, sheltered harbours, plains and deserts in the south and west. Traditional crafts and belief systems are kept alive by the many tribes, with indigenous ancestor religions practised, music and dance performed and rituals carried out.

Madagascar is the perfect destination for those seeking a varied and exotic holiday, with a unique natural, geographical and cultural life and some spectacular beaches and resorts.

The island tends to be warm all year round, with a hotter, rainier season between November and April and a cooler, drier period from May to October. The Malagasy language, French and English are all widely spoken and it is relatively easy for tourists to travel around the major centres on the island by bush taxi, cart or rickshaw, while air travel is recommended for visits to more remote areas.