A gap year in Madagascar
Gap years in Madagascar
Tropical temperatures, smiling people, fragranced wafts of vanilla and coffee-beans: Madagascar conjures a truly magical image. And the country doesn’t disappoint. If you’re looking for a conservation gap year project, unspoilt Madagascar could be your dream ticket...
Gap Year Opportunities
Opportunities abound in this rich and varied country. Research diving, marine conservation, sustainable development in rural villages, exploring coral reefs – there are incredible experiences on offer here. Because Madagascar has recently discovered the potential of its unspoilt, naturally-diverse rural landscape, you will find plenty of projects in conservation and assessment. 5% of all the world’s plant and animal species live here, from lemurs to crocs and everything in between. Hunt out work protecting these species and you’ll be endlessly rewarded.
Getting Around
Most people fly in to Antananarivo (Tana), the capital, from which it’s easy to explore all six provinces. Most towns are well served with taxis, rickshaws, and mini-buses. Roads in Madagascar, though picturesque, are in a poor condition. To travel longer distances, consider taking a domestic flight on Air Madagascar, which offers a good, regular schedule. You will probably have to fly out or in to Tana before reaching your destination, as Madagascar is infamously disorganised on a wide scale.
About Madagascar
Madagascar is unique. This huge island lies to the east of Africa, rubbing shoulders with the glamorous isles of Mauritius and Reunion. It’s one of the largest islands in the world, with a highly specialised wildlife population (80% of which is endemic to Madagascar) and a pleasing mixture of Asian and African cultures.
First inhabited in the first century AD, Madagascar became an important European trading post in the 1500s, and saw its fair share of pirates and shipwrecks in the following years. Portugese, French, Arab, Asian and African settlements sprang up and spread across the country. Peacefully and then democratically self-governed until the late 18th century, Madagascar was invaded by France (in cahoots with England). Very little resistance followed but by 1958 the French had lost interest. Madagascar was proclaimed independent (once again) in 1960.
The country is geographically diverse; the central highlands mark a mid-point between the tropical rainforest of the north and the dusty plains of the south. Since demand for vanilla, coffee and sugarcane has dwindled, tourism – especially eco and conservation tourism – is one of Madagascar’s best hopes to boost the economy.
What to see in Madagascar
After landing in Tana, where beggars and prostitutes populate the busy sidewalk, travelling outwards is a pleasant surprise.
Madagascar is heaven for wildlife lovers. Here you can walk with sloths, watch whales calving, and snorkel and dive the coral reef. The north-east is the place to be for the best wildlife experiences; eco-friendly jungle lodges and small hotels are the order of the day. Take a trip to Nosy Mangabe, an island reserve dense with lemurs, hummingbirds, and chameleons. Or a boat trip – in September – to seek the humpback whale. If you’re feeling more active, head for the National Park at Isola, where you can mountain-bike and hike amongst dramatic plains and rocky outcrops. Don’t forget to book a guide.