Book excerpt: The Rough Guide to Madagascar is the ultimate travel guide to this enthralling destination. It leads you through the country with reliable information and insightful coverage of all of Madagascar's unmissable attractions, from the extraordinarily wildlife-rich national parks of Ranomafana and Antasibe-Mantadia to the alluring beaches of the fabled island of Nosy Be. Detailed maps and up-to-date listings pinpoint the best restaurants, hotels, bars and nightlife, ensuring you make the most of your trip. Packed with pre-departure advice and practical tips, the Basics section contains all the information you need to travel around Madagascar, including transport, accommodation, outdoor activities, costs and health, while Contexts fills you in on history, music and books, and includes a handy Language section. Full coverage: Antananarivo; Antsirabe; Parc National de Ranomafana; Fianarantsoa; Ambalavao; Parc National d'Andasibe-Mantadia; Tamatave; Île Sainte Marie; Île aux Nattes; Maroantsetra; Nosy Mangabe; Parc National de Masoala; Sava (the Vanilla Coast); Diego Suarez (Antsiranana); Parc National de la Montagne d'Ambre; Parc National d'Ankarana; Nosy Be; Majunga; Parc National d'Ankarafantsika; Morondava; Allée des Baobabs; Réserve Privée Kirindy; Tsingy de Bemaraha; Belo-sur-Mer; Parc National d'Andringitra; Parc National d'Isalo; Parc National de Zombitse-Vohibasia; Tuléar; Anakao; Mangily; Andavadoaka; Fort Dauphin; Parc National d'Andohahela; Réserve Privée Berenty. (Equivalent to 182 printed pages.)