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Madagascar has evolved into one of the world's most phenomenal destinations for natural history travel. The world's fourth-largest island contains an immense diversity flora and fauna Of 12,000 plant species identified here, 10,000 are endemic to the island including seven of the world's nine species of the iconic Baobab tree, some Renowned national parks and World Heritage Site.

Madagascar travel takes you through diverse habitats from 5.000 km of coastal line, 220 small islands to Bio-diversity hot spot. We seek out some of the 40 different species of lemurs, a primate group found only on Madagascar, and identify many species of chameleons in their wild habitat as well as some of the world's most bizarre creatures on Earth like the nightmarish hissing cockroach, so-called Dracula ants, and the Giraffe-necked weevil.

Rich and fascinating culture, heritage today is composed of 18 different ethnic groups that derive from a long history of trade and migration from throughout Indonesia, Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, all united today in a common Malagasy culture and language. Legendary hospitality of the Malagasy population.

Nosy Be These tropical islands off the northwest coast have some of the region's finest beaches. Most accessible on Nosy Be is Andilana, the northernmost beach. Don't miss the day trip to beautiful, reef-ringed Nosy Tanikely, a marine reserve with a lovely, sunny beach. Nosy Komba has a good, small beach near Ampangorinana village.

There are real gems further afield on Nosy Iranja (the 'turtles' island) and in the Mitsio Isles. Ile Ste-Marie Along the west coast, there are a number of secluded, palm-lined coves, off which to swim and snorkel and there is a stunning beach on the offshore islet of

Ile Aux Nattes. The orchids are at their peak in September and the whales' migration takes place between July and October. . Its dense vegetation and the difficulty of navigating the lagoons which surround it made it an ideal base for pirates and, later, a colony for convicts. There are several historic sites, including Madagascar's oldest Catholic church (1837).

The island is also known for its beautiful white-sand beaches and coral reefs. Ifaty and Nosy Ve Ifaty has a pleasant beach and easy access to the spiny desert. The coral reefs attract scuba divers and there is an excellent PADI diving centre. The offshore islet of Nosy Ve is a terrific place for snorkelling and most people enjoy spending the day on a tiny desert isle. Another attraction is the graceful tropic birds who breed on Nosy Ve.

Morondava The Morondava seafront has a wide, white sandy beach off which it is safe to swim.

Eco-Tourism Madagascar endemic Flora Madagascar is legendary for its profusion of wildlife and flora, 80% of which is found nowhere else on earth. -10 families and 260 genera of plants are endemic to Madagascar. Only Australia (with 13) has more endemic species of plants. -165 of Madagascar's 170 palms are not found anywhere else. For comparison, mainland Africa has less than 60 species of palm -Of the 8 species of baobab found in the world, six are endemic to Madagascar -An entire family of plants, the Didiereaceae is unique to Madagascar. Didiereaceae plants are found in the arid southwest and closely resemble some forms of cacti.

Unlike catci though, they produce small deciduous leaves which are protected by meanacing thorns and spines that grow directly out of the plant's many branches. -95% of the species found in the Spiny desert exist only in this habitat unique to Madagascar. -Madagascar has nearly 1000 known species of orchids, of which 85% are endemic. -Anti-cancer drugs (vincristine, vinblastine) derived from the Madagascar rosy periwinkle generated over a billion dollars in revenue for Eli Lilly & Co. Madagascar endemic Wildlife Madagascar - an isolated island about twice the size of Arizona - has some of the highest biodiversity on the planet. Of roughly 200,000 known species found on Madagascar, about 150,000 are endemic-meaning they exist nowhere else. Unique to the island are more than 50 types of lemurs, 99 percent of its frog species, and 36 genera of birds. Madgascar houses 100 percent of the world's lemurs, half of its chameleon species, 6 percent of its frogs, and none of its toads Isolated from the continents 160 million years ago, Madagascar followed a unique evolutionary path into enormous tortoises, elephant birds, and lemurs. Lemurs were the highest primate form on the island until the Malagasy people, of Afro-Polynesian ancestry, arrived a mere 2000 years ago.