Madagascar (inglés) (LONELY PLANET)

We just spent 2 weeks in Madagascar (Aug 2012), and this book was pretty much spot on in all its recommendations. While I appreciate the thinness of the edition, I do wish they offered more information on good local eateries and hotels/places to sleep. Also, one of the best parks we visited for wildlife sighting wasn't in the book period (except for 1 reference on a map) -- Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park. Other than that, its information is quite fresh, and a useful guide if you're visiting the wonderful island of Madagascar!

I cannot give you an evaluation at this time because I have not taken the journey yet. After all this is not a novel, but an information book. I can tell you more after my travels to Madagascar how good the book really is.Ingrid Dannhauser (Wild), author of the book TAPESTRY OF A TRAVELER by Ingrid Wild. My book is about worldwide true independent solo travel experiences.

I've been working in and traveling to Madagascar for more than 6 years, and I like to keep up on the guidebooks that are available as in my free time I enjoy traveling around the island. This edition sort of gets the whole picture but when it comes to details is off in many places (even the maps, protected areas in the wrong spot, roads not entirely accurate, etc.)Additionally, recommendations are made that are very questionable, especially for the average traveler. Go by car from Sambava to Ambilobe? Really? That is a 18-24 hour taxi-brousse ride if you are lucky and there is a descent chance you will be stuck for days if a truck has tipped over or gotten stuck in the mud. And this is one of the 3 recommended itineraries? Also, there is an over emphasis on visiting Andringitra. Yes, it is beautiful, and yes it is under-visited and not given enough attention in the other guide books, but the way this book sells it is just wrong, though I guess that is more a matter of opinion and taste.Then there is the price. $28 is insane for this little book filled with poor recommendations and hit and miss information. On the plus side, it is organized well and if you are already familiar with the Lonely Planet series then it would be easy to use this one (which is why I gave it 2 stars instead of 1).Instead of this book, I would strongly recommend Madagascar Travel Pack, 3rd (Globetrotter Travel Packs)  It's less than half the price, recent (2011), and accurate, with descent recommendations and solid information.If you like it more personalized with a narrative the one by Sara LeHoullier  Madagascar (Travel Companion)  is solid, and while a lot is missing from this book you know it ahead of time before you buy it (it's a "Travel Companion" to accompany other books!)If you will be in country for several months, you probably should instead or in addition to the other two above, go with the  Madagascar, 9th (Bradt Travel Guide) , which is as thorough as it gets and largely accurate, at least compared to this Lonely Planet one. If you're going to pay $28 for a travel guide it may as well be the Bradt one!!!!

There are a few things I'd like rearranged and some supplemental info about regions and about safety, and a few more phrases I would really appreciate but this is more of a 4.5 stars for me.

Lonely Planet Madagascar was a very complete book covering all aspects of traveling throughout nation. Just wish it would of contained more of the places to stay and reviews of these facilities.

Pictures are worth 1000 words. The book has a few pages of pictures in the front and a few pages in the pack. Eyewitness travel books are the way to go but they don't have Madagascar as of yet.

Very nice tips about that wonderful and weird country/island. The best way to planning your travel is right in this guide.

We bought this edition to replace our outdated one and we were disappointed. Some information was left out or not as detailed. If you have an old book don't bother to replace it. Madagascar is a great place to visit and I wish the authors would have been more thorough.

good travel guide

Limited and outdated information.

War nun zwei Monate in diesem herrlichen Land. Der Guide war zweifelsohne hilfreich, aber leider fand da keine sachgemäße Aktualisierung statt. Das optische Bild hat sich geändert bei Lonely Planet, aber ob es nun besser ist? Auf jeden Fall stehen in den Karten falsch eingetragene Hotels oder nicht mehr existierende Hotels (Tulear und Ambositra z.B.). Auch wird die vor über zwei Jahren eingestürzte Brücke in Manakara noch als funktionierende Straßenverbindung angezeigt! Kleinigkeiten in einem Land, wo "Mora Mora" herrscht und man täglich Überraschungen erlebt. Aber nicht hier in Europa, wo der Guide ein nicht gerade günstiges Schnäppchen darstellt.Seit den ursprünglichen guten Lonely-Planet-Guide-Zeiten Tony Wheelers (Indien!!!), recherchiert man nun anscheinend nicht mehr so gern. Ist vielleicht zu mühsam, zu teuer. Lieber wartet man Traveller-Berichte ab oder man liest die anderen Neuerscheinungen von "Reiseführern" und fügt neu angelesene "Erkenntnisse" in die eigene Publikation ein.Bradt Guide Madagascar sollte man vor dem Kauf auf jeden Fall mal ansehen. Ist seriöser, um Welten besser, allerdings unhandlicher. Für Südafrikanischen Raum eventuell im Anschluss = Hupe Verlag.

Es gibt eine neuere günstigere Version, die auch über Prime erhältlich ist. Leider ist mir das zu spät aufgegallen. Inhaltlich sind die beiden beinahe ident. Eine Rückerstattung war nicht mehr möglich.

Va bene per me ma spero che esca presto anche l'edizione in Italiano perchè altre persone preferiscono quella, non riesco ad avere notizie circa la data di pubblicazione.