Antananarivo - The capital of Madagascar

Antananarivo is not only the capital of the island nation of Madagascar, but also the largest city in the country. More than 1.8 million people live in Antananarivo, a city whose name is often abbreviated to simply "Tana. The history of the city, founded as early as 1625, is moving and varied and deeply interwoven with the [...]

Madagascar travelogue - experiences and adventures from the dream vacation

In our travelogue of the Madagascar vacation we would like to share our experiences from the dream vacation with you. Before planning a vacation, the first step is usually an extensive research: Which sights or scenic highlights should I not miss? Where do I camp for the night and what about the right means of transport to get from [...]

Madagascar Hotels - Unforgettable nights for vacation

The island state of Madagascar is unfortunately still one of the poorest countries in the world and is not yet completely developed from a tourist point of view. Accordingly, it can sometimes prove to be somewhat complicated to find hotels on Madagascar, which correspond to the European taste and the local standards. Many accommodations are rather functional [...].

Fady and ritual prohibitions in Madagascar

Fady or the ritual prohibitions on the island of Madagascar The life of the Malagasy is characterized by repetitive daily tasks and work. The daily routine in the country is usually limited to getting up, having breakfast, leaving early, working in the fields, returning to the house, eating while it is still light and going to sleep. Far [...]

Madagascar Map - The biggest highlights at a glance

If you are interested in a vacation in Madagascar or the country in general, you should first take a look at a Madagascar map. Such a map gives a pretty good impression of how versatile and varied this country is. From the north towards the south as well as from the east towards the west, landscapes, [...]

Madagascar Vacation and the Costs - Helpful Tips and Info

Madagascar is always worth a trip as an extraordinary island, but those who plan their Madagascar vacation should have the costs of the Madagascar vacation in mind from the start. Even though Madagascar itself is unfortunately one of the poorest countries in the world, a trip to the Red Island can still be a very expensive adventure. - Especially [...]

Impressions of an incredible journey

4 000 kilometers around the southern half of Madagascar Part 1- From Antananarivo to Morondava and to the Tsingy of Bemaraha On July 11, 2016 at two o'clock in the morning we, Martin and Heidi, once again entered the red island in Antananarivo. Ahead of us lay a 27 day adventure in a, specially adapted 4×4 Toyota Landcruiser with [...]

Extinct pygmy hippopotamus in Madagascar

Dwarf hippopotami, elephant birds and giant lemurs from Madagascar The unique fauna of times long past The unique fauna of Madagascar had already lost allDwarf hippopotami Madagascar large animals for good over the centuries. Giant lemurs (Megaladapis), elephant birds (Aepyornis), giant fossas (Cryptoprocta spelea) and pygmy hippos (Hippopotamus Madagascariensis and Hippopotamus Lemerlei) have fallen victim to the colonization of the island over the centuries. [...]

Fish with coconut sauce

A fish delight with fruity - exotic taste On Madagascar, the food culture has been enriched just like the inhabitants of influences from Asia and Europe. The basics, however, have remained very typical of the country, the Madagascans are the biggest travel eaters in the world in terms of quantity: 700gr dry rice per person and per day. The rice is [...]

Wedding dreams become reality

Wedding dreams come true. A real GUEST post From Desiree about a real WEDDING journey. "Dear Desiree. Thank you so much for your special request, I love unusual requests and I have never had such a request. Honeymoon almost every month but never marry before. Genius!...." I received this reply from Klaus on May 13. Five weeks and three [...]

Mouse lemur biodiversity: 3 new species discovered

Madagascar's primates Three new species of mouse lemurs discovered! The unpredictable landscapes of Madagascar offer numerous hiding places for all kinds of creatures. They live in dark and inaccessible forests, hide in the shadows of the vast mountain ranges, and camouflage themselves superbly in the dry savannah. Many of the native species occur only in very small areas. Their continued existence [...]

Horse & Rider on the slopes in Madagascar

An incomparable journey with horse and rider The happiness of this earth lies on the back of horses! And so one experiences also with extensive rides on Madagascar a completely special luck. In fast gallop riders fly over the wide beaches. For spectators it is a beautiful picture if the hooves of the animals the white sand [...]

Fine cocoa and chocolate from Madagascar

An exquisite treat Drinking chocolate, cocoa powder, nut and milk chocolate - all of these can be found in any classic supermarket in Germany. The basis for all these products is usually so-called consumer cocoa. This is cocoa obtained from very robust plants with high yields. The flavor is relatively coarse, and has slightly [...]

Les Ile éparses - Focal Point of French-Madagascan Relations

Conflicts with France Foreign relations between France and Madagascar have been strained since Madagascar's independence. Years of oppression of the Malagasy people by colonial policy, exploitation and sometimes severe mistreatment of the natives have left their mark on their cultural memory. With independence, the island nation's inhabitants were finally able to develop national pride and a [...]

Paul Bertner - nature photographer with passion

photographing on madagascar Nature photographer Paul Bertner is an ideal example of the magic that the red island exerts on its visitors. With all its magical corners, its as yet undiscovered creatures and its unique beauty, it arouses a fascination that hardly anyone can resist. Paul Bertner has managed to convey his fascination for Madagascar [...]

Annular solar eclipse in Madagascar

Experience the exciting natural event on September 1 live On the first of September 2016 Madagascar has a very special highlight to offer all astrologers and astronomers: an annular solar eclipse crossing Madagascar from west to east. With almost always clear skies on almost all parts of the island, the very rare annular solar eclipse will be seen under excellent conditions [...]

Father Pedro and Akamasoa - Hope for the Poorest of Madagascar

The active aid projects of Father Pedro Madagascar is, in international comparison, one of the poorest countries in the world and many people, especially in the capital Antananarivo, have little more than what they wear. Homelessness, lack of schooling and only irregular meals - this is how sad life is for many people on the island. Fortunately, [...]

Travel arrangements for Madagascar

Planning Madagascar before arrival Important tips for travel preparations You have decided to take a trip to Madagascar. Of course, it makes sense to prepare as much as possible from Germany and thus avoid possible unpleasant surprises. In this small blog entry I would like to give you a guide, in which I [...]

Madagascar essential oils

Fragrances that beguile and heal Madagascar is known in many places for its numerous spices and other luxury goods, which were shipped from here to many distant countries around the world. Cloves and vanilla in particular, as well as coffee and cocoa, were at the top of the list of exported goods for many years and enjoyed great popularity abroad. [...]

The Amphibians & Reptiles of Madagascar

a Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar Without exaggeration I can call the "Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar" the standard work for all herpetologists and herpetologically interested travelers. This book, published in English and Malagasy, describes the reptiles and amphibians living on Madagascar [...]

Pierrot Men-the famous photographer from Madagascar

Pierrot Men Madagascar's most famous photographer If you're planning a Madagascar vacation for photographers, you can't help but take a closer look at this famous child of the red island. But a closer look at Pierrot Men's photographic work is worthwhile even if you are a layman in the field of photography. Hardly any other artist succeeds in [...]

Madagascar at a glance

Important information about this island state Name: Republic of Madagascar; Malagasy: Repoblikan'i madagasikara; French: République de Madagascar Election slogan: Fitiavana - Tanindrazana - Fandrosoana Official language(s): Malagasy, French Capital: Antananarivo Area: 587,041 km² Type of state: presidential republic Head of state: President Hery Rajaonarimampianina Head of government: Prime Minister Olivier Mahafaly Solonandrasana Administrative divisions: the country is divided into 6 provinces: Antananarivo, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga (Majunga), Toliara (Tuléar), [...]

The Baobabs in Madagascar

Imposing plants in danger At first glance, baobabs are fascinating primarily because of their unusual growth form and their enormous size. Descriptions by the first European explorers speak of the tree looking as if it were upside down. Also in many legends and myths of the natives around the baobab the unusual growth form [...]

Vacation in Madagascar for photographers

Important information for great photo trips Whether you are a tourist interested in photography, an amateur photographer or even a professional photographer, when you travel to Madagascar your camera will experience only a few quiet moments. The island is bursting with photo locations. Whether you want to photograph landscapes, people, animals, nature or macro, you will surely find something. Now I would like to briefly [...]

The Nahampoana Reserve

The Nahampoana Reserve near Fort Dauphin Let's go to the deep southeast of the country, to the land of the thorn people. To crescent-shaped beaches, where the bright azure of the Indian Ocean dazzles us. In this idyll, in the shadow of the mountain range of Anosy and St. Louis lies Fort Dauphin. The city offers the visitor a variety of [...]

Humpback whale watching in Madagascar

Whale-watching on the coasts of Madagascar In the middle of the southern winter, from the end of June to the beginning of September, one of the most fascinating natural spectacles in the world takes place on the coasts of the Indian Ocean and thus also on the coasts of Madagascar. In large groups, humpback whales migrate every year to warm, tropical latitudes to give birth to their young [...]

Spiny toads in Madagascar

Plague on the east coast For some time now, the east of Madagascar has had to fight against the uncontrollable proliferation of spiny toads. This species, originally not native to the island, was first sighted near the port city of Tamatave (Toamasina) in eastern Madagascar. From there, within a few weeks, they have spread very quickly to Vatomandry and [...]

The raven parrots in Madagascar

The black parrots of the red island parrots are best known for their colorful feathers. In the depths of Madagascar's mangrove and rainforests, however, lives the pitch-black raven parrot. The small raven parrot is also called small vasa parrot (Coracopsis nigra) and reaches a body size of about 35cm. Its larger relative, the great vasa parrot (Coracopsis vasa-vasa) [...]

Ornithological travels in Madagascar

The coffee in Madagascar

Madagascar and the exquisite beans Numerous plants thrive particularly well in Madagascar's tropical climate. Agriculture thus occupies a significant part of the lives of the population in Madagascar. In addition to luxury goods such as vanilla, fine cocoa, pepper and cloves, the cultivation and processing of coffee also plays a major role in Madagascar. With love and care, [...]

Cocoa in Madagascar

In the northwest of Madagascar, in the area of Ambanja, the micro-climatic conditions, humidity and warm climate are absolutely ideal to produce the best cocoa in the world. The cacao tree (Theobroma Cacao) grows in the shade of other, taller trees in the warm and humid climate of tropical countries. In Madagascar, it is grown almost exclusively in the Ambanja [...]

Madagascar cloves

Cultivation and use of this ancient spice Even in ancient times, the flower buds of the tropical clove tree were in great demand as a perfume. The cloves known in Europe today are also the dried flower buds of the tropical tree from the Myrtaceae family (Eugenia cariophyllata). This is not originally native to Madagascar. It is believed that some [...]

Vanilla in Madagascar

Cultivation, processing and special features of Madagascan vanilla The pulp of the elongated, brown vanilla bean is a popular spice all over the world. Vanilla is particularly suitable for flavoring desserts. However, top chefs also succeed in giving meat and vegetable dishes a very special touch with the aroma of the noble vanilla. Many do not know that the [...]

Pepper and wild pepper in Madagascar

Where the best pepper in the world grows. "Go where the pepper grows!" Visitors to the red island do so in the truest sense of the word. Here, some of the best pepper in the world thrives naturally, without the use of fertilizers or pesticides. The black pepper thrives here on lianas that grow from the sprawling [...]

Madagascar flying foxes

Flying foxes from Madagascar Flying foxes are not only found on Madagascar, but also in the rainforests of other tropical countries. Their evolutionary history, however, lies in the dark, despite some fossil discoveries. Most scientists assume that flying foxes and bats have a common ancestor. It is believed that it was a small mammal [...]

Snakes in Madagascar

From the safe world of herpetology in Madagascar If you like to be fascinated by snakes and other reptiles, Madagascar is the place to be. All of the island's resident pangolins are non-toxic to humans, so visitors can get close to them without zoological expertise. Shooting a photo of these exotic creepy-crawlies and even talking to them [...]

Lemurs in Madagascar

Experience Madagascar's biodiversity up close. Sifakas, Indri-Indri, Catta, Aye-Aye, Microcebus and many more In ancient Rome, "lemur" referred to a night spirit. Today, however, "lemur" is the common collective name for the wet-nosed or prosimian monkeys living on Madagascar, as they are zoologically correctly called. Lemur species were once represented on all continents, but were evolutionarily displaced by other, higher apes. [...]

Chameleons in Madagascar

The incredible biodiversity of these reptile chameleons, the peculiar scaled creepers, have contributed to the image of Madagascar almost as much as the droll lemurs. So far 57 species of this reptile could be counted on Madagascar. The diversity of these species on Madagascar is thus - who is surprised - incomparably higher than in the rest of the world taken together. They thus form [...]

The Pangalan Channel in Madagascar

Pangalan Canal, the longest waterway in the world The multifaceted history of this pharaonic construction I would like to take the hint of a good friend as an opportunity to write something about the famous "Canal des Pangalanes". Although I almost always agree with my friend in questions about the red island, when he says that this "pharaonic construction" has been forgotten [...]

The population in Madagascar

The fascinating mixed culture in the Indian Ocean The first signs of at least occasional or sporadic human existence on Madagascar are knife marks on the 2,600-year-old bones of an extinct giant lemur. Shortly before and after the turn of time, seafaring peoples from Indonesia and Melanesia almost certainly arrived in Madagascar. Despite the huge distance, the people had [...]

Life in Madagascar

The serenity of the population Agriculture is the basis of livelihood for the majority of Madagascans and sufficiently characterizes the image of the island. There is hardly any industry, and even large cities seem more like sprawling settlements to European visitors. Not even Madagascar's capital Antananarivo offers a classic urban image, but rises only [...]

The country Madagascar

The scenic and cultural diversity of this fascinating island When Madagascar is popularly referred to as a continent in its own right, it is mainly Madagascar's unique biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes that are alluded to. Of course, the isolated geographical location of the red island also plays a role. Stretching a good 400 kilometers off the East African coast, the island's area [...]

Food and drink in Madagascar

The culinary diversity of the red island Madagascar's cultural and geographical characteristics are also reflected in its cuisine. Of course, the yields of Madagascar's crops primarily determine the country's typical eating habits. Rice, in particular, plays a major role in the daily diet of the population. Although Madagascar has many poor regions, in [...]

A traveling cinema for Madagascar

A flagrant lack of culture As is well known, the art of cinematography comes from France. From there, the cinématographe of the Lumière brothers soon conquered all of Europe and the world in a triumphal procession in the 19th century. In France's former colony of Madagascar, little remains of this heritage of the Grande Nation. Once, the capital Tana boasted the "cinema [...]

The death march of the zebus in Madagascar

The long road to Madagascar's slaughterhouses According to recent estimates, there are now more zebu cattle living in Madagascar than people; an estimated 25 million animals represent the wealth and prosperity of many Madagascans on the one hand - but are nevertheless in direct competition with them, since the already scarce arable land is additionally burdened by the zebu cattle. On top of that, the [...]

Food in Madagascar

Cuisine malgache, Malagasy cuisine - it should be important for every traveler and interested person to learn something about the culinary aspects of the red island as well. Basically, there is almost nothing that does not exist here, and it is far more familiar than most suspect. As unique and endemic as Madagascar's nature may be, [...]

Zebus in Madagascar

Tradition with certain risks As an agrarian country, animal husbandry and also agriculture have always played an important role in Madagascar. Unfortunately, this orientation has already taken a very painful and drastic toll in many areas around nature: Many hectares of Madagascar's original forestation have had to give way to make room for cropland and pasture [...]

The rice culture in Madagascar

The Daily Sacred Grain If you think that the biggest rice eaters in this world are to be found in Asian countries, a look at the daily menu of the Malagasy population will quickly reveal that you are mistaken. In Madagascar, most people eat rice three times a day and the consumption is per capita [...]

Madagascar Books & Guidebooks

The best travel guides and non-fiction books For all travelers who want to learn about the red island in advance, we have compiled our favorite photo books and travel guides that provide a good basic knowledge and thus optimally prepare for the trip. The selection was very thorough. Since we have already worked with some of the authors, we can guarantee [...]

The world of ancestors in Madagascar

Graves In particular, the world of the ancestors has a prominent meaning in the life of most inhabitants on Madagascar, which extends to all areas of life. In the imagination of the Madagascans there is no hell and no paradise, but also no rebirth, rather they believe, after death in the realm of their ancestors (Razana) with these united [...]