Madagascar
The 8th continent
There's something exotic about even the concept of Madagascar, to say nothing of the reality. The world's fourth largest island, Madagascar is the result of a spectacular geological past originating over 165 million years ago when it was part of Africa. Today it is neither African nor Asian - it exudes an atmosphere which is quite distinctly its own.
This island of isolated evolution is a naturalist's paradise in spite of the heavy deforestation which threatens its future. Indeed much has already been lost including the largest bird which ever existed - the Elephant Bird - but much also remains and the country is designated as one of the world's 12 "mega diversity hotspots".
Of course it is man who is to blame for the loss of habitat. The Malagasy are thought to be descendents of Africans and Indonesians who settled on the island more than 2,000 years ago, probably coming from both Africa and south-east Asia. Marco Polo reported Madagascar's existence in the narrative of his travels, and it was also known to Arab cartographers. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to settle - around 1500AD. At one stage it was famed as a base for the literally thousands of pirates who would swoop on the trade ships rounding the Cape of Good Hope. 
Indeed the island's history is almost as dramatic as its wildlife!
The unprecedented level of higher-order endemism makes the island a birding hotspot with 120 endemic bird species and five bird families which are found nowhere else. In addition to the amazing birdlife this is probably the best country in the world to observe reptiles, particularly chameleons and dazzling day-geckoes, of which 98% are endemic. All the land mammals are unique to the island, including 33 species of Lemurs. Bizarre indigenous flora includes impressive Baobabs and unworldly spiny Didierea forests, both representative examples of one of the most diverse plant communities in the world. For the first-time birder to the island, Madagascar abounds with lifers. Mesites, Ground-Rollers, Couas, Vangas, Asities and a host of other birds are there to be discovered and enjoyed.
Our holiday takes in all the main habitats but is run at a leisurely pace. The internal road system isn't all that terrific so we use internal flights where practicable which, although making the holiday a little more expensive, does cut down significantly on travel weariness and make the whole experience more relaxed and enjoyable.
