Madagascar

Daniel Austin is co-author of a number of books on Madagascar, including, for Bradt, Madagascar, Madagascar Highlights and Madagascar Wildlife: A Visitor's Guide. As a full-time Madagascar specialist, Daniel visits the country at least once a year to lead group tours, lecture on cruises, and carry out research. Additionally, he is a photographer specialised in Madagascar, especially its unique wildlife. He is also Secretary of the Anglo-Malagasy Society, which promotes Madagascar's interests in the UK, as well as founder of the Madagascar Library, an archive of over 4,000 historical and contemporary books and documents about the country. Daniel's fascination for Madagascar stretches back to his childhood passion for nature. He later studied Linguistics at UCL in London and at the University of Cambridge, writing his master's thesis on Malagasy culture, before focusing his attentions on exploring the broader zoological, botanical, cultural, linguistic and historical wonders of this exotic Indian Ocean destination. He has lectured on the subject at venues including the Royal Geographical Society and Oxford University. 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 and is delighted to have handed over the hard graft of researching new editions to Daniel.

Introduction
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 1 The Country
Geography, Climate, A brief history, Government and politics, Economy
Chapter 2 People and Culture
Enigmatic origins, Beliefs and customs, Malagasy society, Ethnic groups, Language
Chapter 3 Natural History
Introduction, Geology, Flora, Fauna, Madagascar's ecosystems, Conservation, Protected area
Chapter 4 Practical Information
When to visit, Choosing a trip to suit you, Highlights and itineraries, Tour operators, Red tape, Getting
there and away, What to take, Money, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays, Shopping for souvenirs, Arts and entertainment, Communications , Business hours
Chapter 5 Health and Safety
Before you go, Specific health issues, Medical kit, Safety, Advice for specific types of traveller
Chapter 6 Madagascar and You
Responsible tourism, How you can help

PART TWO THE GUIDE
Chapter 7 Antananarivo and Area
History, Ivato airport area, Antananarivo city, Day excursions from Tana, Overnight excursions
Chapter 8 The Highlands South of Tana
Tana to Antsirabe, Antsirabe and around, Ambositra and around, Ambositra to Fianarantsoa, Ranomafana National Park, Fianarantsoa and around, Ambalavao and around, Andringitra Massif, Ambalavao to Ihosy
Chapter 9 The South
History, Ihosy to Ranohira, Isalo National Park, The Makay Massif, Ranohira to Toliara, Toliara, Ifaty and Mangily, North of Ifaty, Anakao, South of Anakao, Toliara to Taolagnaro (Fort Dauphin), The far south,
Mandrare Valley, Taolagnaro (Fort Dauphin)
Chapter 10 East of Tana
Antananarivo-Côte Est Railway, Tana to Moramanga, Lake Alaotra, Moramanga to Andasibe, Andasibe area, Andasibe to Brickaville, Brickaville to Toamasina
Chapter 11 South of Toamasina
Pangalanes Canal, The east coast from Vatomandry to Mananjary, The east coast from Mananjary to
Taolagnaro
Chapter 12 Toamasina and the Northeast
History, Toamasina (Tamatave), Toamasina to Soanierana-Ivongo, Soanierana-Ivongo to Maroantsetra, Masoala Peninsula, Antalaha to Iharana (Vohemar), Andapa area
Chapter 13 Ile Sainte Marie (Nosy Boraha)
Ile Sainte Marie, main island, Ile aux Nattes (Nosy Nato)
Chapter 14 The North
Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Ramena and the east coast, Excursions west from Antsiranana,
Montagne d'Ambre (Amber Mountain) National Park , Excursions south from Antsiranana, Ankarana
National Park, From Antsiranana to Iharana (Vohemar) by road, Ambilobe to Ambanja (and on to Nosy Be), Bays and inlets accessible to yachts
Chapter 15 Nosy Be and Nearby Islands
History, Transport, Activities and excursions, Hell-Ville (Andoany), Ambatoloaka, Beach hotels and other accommodation, Islands around Nosy Be, Mitsio Islands (northeast of Nosy Be), Islands
southwest of Nosy Be
Chapter 16 The West
Mahajanga (Majunga), Ankarafantsika National Park, Southwest of Mahajanga, Fly-in beach resorts
northeast of Mahajanga, Northeast of Mahajanga by road, Maintirano to Morondava, Morondava,
Morondava to Toliara, River trips
Appendix 1 Historical Chronology
Appendix 2 The Malagasy Language
Appendix 3 Further Information
Index