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What am I? I'm huge, found in the Indian Ocean, and I have 5 percent the world's species, 75 percent of which cannot be found anywhere else? Well if the title hadn't already told you, it's Madagascar. This eco-gem has it all when it comes to seeing first hand why it's important to preserve this planet. And remember that video game Lemurs? Well, you'll find the real thing in Madagascar, the true land of the lemurs according to Frommer's 500 Places to Visit Before They Disappear. No other place on the planet has any lemurs at all.
Unfortunately, this land of lush wildlife and endless green is under immediate threat because the practice of slash and burning the forests has spread. This is the same practice that threatens the Amazon Rainforest and other lush rainforest land throughout Central and South America. It's all-too-common and so disheartening because the land is so much more valuable as a rainforest (with all the medicinal cures that have yet to be discovered and all the animals that thrive there) than it is for subsistence farming alone.
What to see in Madagascar
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is a three-hour drive from the country's capitol, Antananarivo. It's a wildlife preserve known for the black and white lemur called the indri (which makes an unforgettable crying sound) and a stunning landscape dotted with waterfalls and moss draped trees as far as the eye can see.
In L'lsalo National Park you can hike the tapio forests. Look at the island's neon green geckos, winged flying foxes, and the sticky toed tomato frog.
At the Avenue of the Baobabs you'll get to see the remarkable upside down tropical trees that are famously a part of Madagascar's landscape.
Travel Together
Even if you're an extremely seasoned traveler, it's best to visit Madagascar in a group. The island is extremely impoverished and it's very hard to get around. There are a variety of eco-friendly tours in Madagascar that are perfect for giving you a taste of this lush wilderness.
Go on a Lemur Conservation Expedition
Lemur Venture is a unique volunteer research program that offers the opportunity to make a significant contribution towards helping some of the world's most threatened and remarkable creatures. The sites selected for Lemur Venture give a real insight into the amazing diversity of Malagasy landscape: from the south's dry spiny desert, to the rainforest-ringed beauty of Fort Dauphin, to the wet coastal forests of the littoral forest zone.
Trek on a Madagascar Adventure Holiday
Highlights include Analamazaotra animal reserve, Peyreyra's cameleon farm, Mantadia animal reserve, Ambohimanga Palace, the Queen's palace, Antsirabe city tour, Antemoro paper factory, and Isalo animal reserve.
See the Sites on a Cultural Madagascar Tour
See the towns of Antananarivo, Antsirabe, Ambositra, Fianarantsoa, Ambalavao, Ranohira, and Toliara. Check out Anja Villagers Park, Ifaty Beach, and wildlife viewing.
More on Madagascar:
Oh Great...Less Rainforest, More Corn
Botanists Discover Giant, Self-Destructing Palm Tree
