By Carl Pruit
The island of Madagascar on the southeast coast of
Africa is filled with adventures and things to see. With awe-inspiring scenery, native animals, lush jungles and white sandy
beaches, Madagascar is a great place to sightsee.
Ile-Ste Marie
Enjoy the tropical island of Ile-Ste Marie off the eastern coast of Madagascar. This narrow strip of land in the Indian Ocean is a fantastic location for scuba diving and for watching the whales along the coastline. Ile-Ste Marie also has some lush jungles that conceal amazing waterfalls and lagoons where you can dive and explore the gorgeous coral formations and underwater life, such as lobsters, sea turtles, crocodile fish and morays. There is also a shipwreck off the coast called the Cocoteraie which is easy to get to and has some interesting sea activity surrounding the wreckage. You will also find several whales that make their home between Ile-Ste Marie and the mainland of Madagascar, providing a fantastic location for viewing these mammals.
Ile-Ste Marie
www.rainbowtours.co.uk/index.php?id=1530
Antananarivo
The capital of Madagascar, Antananarivo, or Tana as it is known by the locals, is built along the hills and surrounded by rice paddies, the local crop. Founded in 1610, the city of Antananarivo is filled with museums, shops and restaurants with an international flavor. The international airport is just outside the city limits and Antananarivo is a great location to explore on foot so that you don't miss any of the quaint little shops and enclaves in town. The ancient castle of Rova, above the city on the steepest hill, was once inhabited by the Monarchs who ruled the area, the latest of which was Queen Ranavalona II in 1869. The castle, although burned down in 1995, is still a popular tourist attraction in the city.
Antananarivo
world66.com/africa/madagascar/antananarivo
Ivolina Parc Zoologique
Explore the wonders of Madagascar's wildlife when you visit Ivolina Parc Zoologique, just 30 minutes outside of Toamasina in the northeast section of Madagascar. Ivolina is filled with all kinds of attractions and exhibits to explore with gardens, nature trails, a zoo and even canoe tours. The island of Madagascar is well-known for its lemur population and the Ivolina has over 100 lemurs in the park along with chameleons, tortoises and many other native animals. The gardens provide intimate trails winding through the park with over 75 varieties of plant life from all around Madagascar, and the nature trails offer more areas to explore the natural beauty of the island. Ivolina also provides a refreshment stand and gift shop so you can take home mementos of your trip here.
Ivolina Parc Zoologique
seemadagascar.com/index.htm
Resources
About the Author:
Carl Pruit has been a freelance writer since 2005, specializing in service journalism and travel. His work has appeared on various websites. Born and raised in California, Pruit attended Contra Costa Community College in San Pablo, Calif. and received an associate degree in the administration of justice.
