Madagascar .. Africa's Isolated Paradise

Hassan El-Khawaga

Madagascar is an island country in the Indian Ocean lying off the southeastern coast of Africa. It is the fourth largest island in the world following Greenland, New Guinea, and Borneo.

Nearly off the African coast by 400 kilometers, the French-speaking country comprises the island of Madagascar and numerous smaller peripheral islands.

Its capital is Antananarivo. The country is a biopersity hotspot as over 90% of its wildlife is found nowhere else on Earth.

[caption id="attachment_60499" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Ranomafana National Park[/caption]

The country was covered by evergreen and deciduous forests. But overpopulation and other reasons threaten the unique wildlife there.

It is considered a paradise for wildlife lovers. It contains about 800 species of butterflies and a variety of spiders as well as numerous species of birds and fish.

The country is pided into about 20 ethnic groups. The most dominant of the groups is the Merina people.

[caption id="attachment_60503" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Masoala National Park[/caption]

One of the amazing facts in the country is that men and women wear the same clothes (The Lamba). It is the traditional garment worn by islanders. It consists of a rectangular length of cloth wrapped around the body.

[caption id="attachment_60504" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Madagascar's Lamba[/caption]

Visa to Madagascar

All travelers to Madagascar are required to obtain a visa to enter the country. They could obtain it online or upon their arrival at the airport.

Visas are available for stays up to 30, 60 or 90 days. The 30-day visas cost €31 (EGP 587.87). The 60-day visa costs €39 (EGP 739.45). The 90-day visa costs €54 (EGP 1,024).

While eVisa application must be submitted at least 72 hours before departure through this website https://www.e-visa-madagascar.com/

[caption id="attachment_60505" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Avenue of the Baobabs[/caption]