Madagascar Highlights
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Bradt Travel Guides / Globe Pequot Press (2012).
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Softcover Book
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About this Book from Page ii
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Since the 1980s, Bradt Travel Guides has been publishing the most widely respected travel guide to Madagascar – a book with extensive details of budget hotels and public transport targeted especially at backpackers and independent travellers. By contrast, this 'highlights' guidebook is more selective in the information it offers, and is written for the traveller on (or planning to go on) an organised tour. It has two main aims: first, to help those considering a vacation to decide what they would like to see and do, and therefore to construct their itinerary or liaise with tour operators in an informed way; and, second, to provide an entertaining, colourful and informative guide to carry on the trip itself. With that in mind, the book provides overviews of towns, parks and other attractions that rank as possible highlights, a quick summary of practicalities and a short list of recommended accommodation. The selections are made by Daniel Austin in collaboration with Hilary Bradt – two of the world's foremost experts on Madagascar. In addition, we have called upon the expertise of some of the leading tour operators – those who know best what Madagascar has to offer – to recommend their favourite lodges and itineraries. Those tour operators were carefully chosen by Bradt Travel Guides and invited to contribute on the basis of their reputations for excellence; they also made a payment towards the production costs of the book.
These pages are unique in bringing together the selections of top writers and top operators, ensuring this is the most useful guidebook available to those planning an organised tour to Madagascar.
Tour operator input: Accommodation in this guide has been carefully selected and reviewed by the following tour operators: Aardvark Safaris, Audley Travel, Extraordinary Expeditions, Imagine Africa and Rainbow Tours. These and the following operators have also contributed interviews with their opinions on Madagascar's best bits: ASISTEN Travel, Cortez Travel & Expeditions, Holidays Madagascar, Le Voyageur, Madagascar Airtours, Madagascar Rental Tour, Mora-Travel, Nomad Tours, Pulse Africa, RAMARTOUR Madagascar, Rova Travel Tours and Zà Tours. See pages 66–9 for more information on these operators, including details on how to book.
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About the Authors from Page iii
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Daniel Austin aims to visit Madagascar every year and has spent a combined total of 15 months exploring and photographing the island since 2004. He is continually amazed by how much is yet to be discovered in the country and, far from becoming boring, each visit only makes him more eager to return. He founded the Madagascar Library (www. madagascar-library.com) and is a committee member of the Anglo-Malagasy Society, which organises Madagascar-themed events (www.anglo-malagasysociety.co.uk).
Daniel's story: "I fell under the spell of Madagascar long before I had an opportunity to go there. It was the island's bizarre flora and fauna that first attracted my interest, but as I fed my curiosity with countless books I soon discovered that the people, their culture and their language are equally intriguing. When I finally visited, Madagascar exceeded all my expectations. I have since returned regularly in various capacities: as a tourist, researcher, photographer, conservation volunteer and trip lecturer. After my third three-month trip I had the good fortune to meet Hilary Bradt who asked me to contribute to her guidebook, which had by then become my travel bible. I soon became more and more deeply involved with updating subsequent editions, as well as taking on the role of editor of Madagascar Wildlife: A visitor's guide. Always keen to have another excuse to explore Madagascar further, I am delighted to have been asked to write this 'highlights' guide too."
Hilary Bradt's career as an occupational therapist ended when potential employers noticed that the time taken off for travel exceeded the periods of employment. With her former husband George, she self-published her first guidebook in 1974 during an extended journey through South America. As well as running Bradt Travel Guides, Hilary worked for 25 years as a tour leader in Madagascar. Her in-depth knowledge of the country has brought her lecture engagements at the Royal Geographical Society, the Smithsonian Institution and on board expedition cruise ships, as well as numerous commissions for travel articles. She now lives in semi-retirement in Devon.
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Text from the Back Cover
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"This guide couples the authority of long experience with a child's bursting enthusiasm. When you pack your bags, don't forget it."
Peter Tyson, author of The Eighth Continent
- Madagascar's best national parks, cultural sites and activities selected by Bradt's experts on the country
- A pre-trip resource and informative tour companion
- Wildlife guide – what to look for where and when
- Accommodation and itinerary suggestions recommended by leading industry experts
- Dedicated chapter on planning or choosing your tour
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Contents
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- Contents
- Introduction
- Introducing Madagascar
- History and People
- The Natural World
- The world's oldest island
- Habitats and conservation
- Plant life
- Wildlife
- Planning a Trip
- When to visit
- Booking a trip
- Your itinerary: 20 top attractions
- Red tape
- Getting there
- Health and safety
- What to take
- Organising your finances
- On the Ground
- Health and safety in Madagascar
- Getting around
- Visiting protected areas
- Eating and drinking
- Banking and foreign exchange
- Shopping
- Media, communications and business
- Madagascar Highlights
- Antananarivo and Surrounds
- Antananarivo
- Andasibe area
- RN7: The Route South
- Antananarivo to Ambositra
- Around Fianarantsoa
- Ihosy to Toliara
- Ifaty
- Anakao
- Taolagnaro and Surrounds
- The North and Islands
- Antsiranana and the bays
- South of Antsiranana
- Islands of the northwest
- The Remote West
- Mahajanga and the northwest
- Morondava and the west
- Eastern Adventure
- South of Mananjary
- Pangalanes Canal and Toamasina (Tamatave)
- Northeastern rainforests
- Ile Sainte Marie
- Malagasy language
- Selected reading
- Index
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Condition of Item
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Fine.
Refer to the glossary for definitions of terms used to describe the condition of items.
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Categories
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