Introduction
Madagascar, described as ‘Noah's Ark adrift in the Indian Ocean', is home to an amazing variety of flora and fauna, the majority of which is endemic to Madagascar alone. The country's special species are best seen in the national parks and wildlife reserves, of which the country has 44 in total. A tour of any of these will be a highlight to any Madagascar travel plans.
The Rainforests of the Atsinanana, which consists of six of the country's national parks, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, on account of the important role it plays in conservation. Included in this banner is the Marojejy National Park, home to more than 100 species of birds, similar numbers of reptile and amphibian species and 11 species of lemur. The lemurs include the silky sifaka, which is one of the world's most endangered primates. Masoala National Park is the largest of Madagascar's nature reserves and includes rainforest, marshland, mangrove and protected marine parks.
Loboke Reserve, on the island of Nosy Be, is home to black lemur and the amazing Nosy Be Panther chameleon, which is easily spotted thanks to its vivid blue colouring.
