Madagascar-Land of endemics.

Quite simply this large island in the Indian Ocean should be at the top of any wildlife enthusiast's bucket list, unfortunately it is not the cheapest place to visit and many areas are really hard work, compounded by the fact that poor hygiene and living conditions mean one should allow a few days for stomach upsets and dehydration to upset the schedule. The island boasts over 100 endemic birds, nearly sixty species of lemur, many chameleons, strange insects and reptiles. Endemic mammals outnumber birds by 50%, probably the only place in the world where that situation exists, but don't even think about "cleaning up". Birds possibly, but several lemurs occur in completely inaccessible areas, and some birds are very difficult. However, you can do it yourself, and this would enable a good list of the commoner lemurs and quite a few birds. Most reserves have guides, and many are exceptional, but it is far better to go on an organised tour where the organisers know and employ the best guides, plus when you get stuck on the appalling roads you're not alone! Having said that the people are exceptionally friendly and helpful, half a village helped to dig our bus out of the sand on the way to the Madagascar Plover site, whilst a young lad in our group had an impromptu game of football with the kids!. But if you get the chance-it's a no-brainer. Unfortunately habitat loss is a major problem, so the sooner the better.

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BERNIER'S TEAL MADAGASCAR GYMNOGENE MADAGASCAR RAIL MADAGASCAR JACANA BANDED KESTREL RED-BREASTED COUA MADAGASCAR CUCKOO WHITE-BROWED OWL SHORT-LEGGED GROUND-ROLLER LONG-TAILED GROUND-ROLLER MADAGASCAR WAGTAIL RUFOUS VANGA SICKLE-BILLED VANGA ARCHBOLD'S NEWTONIA COQUEREL'S SIFAKA RING-TAILED LEMUR MILNE-EDWARD'S SIFAKA SMALL-TOOTHED SPORTIVE-LEMUR HOG-NOSED SNAKE BLUE-LEGGED CHAMELEON LEAF-TAILED GECKO DRAGONFLY BLUE BUTTERFLY CATTERPILLAR

MADAGASCAR GREBE MADAGASCAR FISH-EAGLE SUBDESERT MESITE MADAGASCAR PRATINCOLE GREATER VASA PARROT RUNNING COUA MADAGASCAR SANDGROUSE MADAGASCAR NIGHTJAR SCALY GROUND-ROLLER VELVET ASITY APPERTS TETRAKA (GREENBUL) HOOK-BILLED VANGA CHABERT VANGA SOUIMANGA SUNBIRD DIADEMED SIFAKA VERREAUX'S SIFAKA MONGOOSE LEMUR LOWLAND STREAKED TENREC DUMERIL'S BOA CHAMELEON BARON'S MANTELLA MADAGASCAR MOON MOTH SWALLOWTAIL LOCUST

HUMBLOT'S HERON MADAGASCAR BUZZARD MADAGASCAR BUTTONQUAIL MADAGASCAR PLOVER MADAGASCAR GREEN PIGEON CRESTED COUA CUCKOO-ROLLER MADAGASCAR KINGFISHER PITTA-LIKE GROUND-ROLLER YELLOW-BELLIED SUNBIRD-ASITY RED-SHOULDERED VANGA LAFRESNAYE'S VANGA LITTORAL ROCK-THRUSH SAKALAVA WEAVER GOLDEN BAMBOO LEMUR RED-FRONTED BROWN LEMUR INDRI INDO-PACIFIC HUMPBACK DOLPHIN LEOPARD GECKO CHAMELEON2 TORTOISE COQUEREL'S SPHINX MOTH BLUE BUTTERFLY BLUE BUTTERFLY