Are there really penguins in Madagascar?
They’re cute, they’re friendly, and thanks to “Happy Feet”, “March of the Penguins”, and “Penguins of Madagascar” they’re very popular! They have no natural land predators; they are not afraid of humans and are extremely curious.
Where to go to find these amazing creatures? With one exception, penguins are found only in the Southern Hemisphere.
And all these destinations are open to vaccinated travelers.
1) Antarctica. Probably the first location people think of for penguins. The ice shelfs and cliffs of Antarctica are home to the Emperor Penguins. There are many islands that host several species of penguins including South Georgia Island and Elephant Island.
2) Africa. Most of the African penguin colonies are located on islands off the southern coast of Africa, primarily South Africa. Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, is one of the more famous islands with penguin colonies.
3) Australia/New Zealand. Phillip Island, near Melbourne is host to the world-famous penguin parade. Every evening at dusk the penguins return to their burrows after a day of fishing and hunting. New Zealand lays claim to being the “Penguin Capital of the World”.
4) Tip of South America. Rookeries are accessible from Ushuaia, Puerto Arenas, Tierra del Fuego, and the Falkland Islands. All of these destinations are stops on a Cape Horn cruise. I’ve had several penguin encounters on “Round the Horn” cruises.
5) Galapagos. The Galapagos Islands are the destination of choice for travelers looking to experience an abundance of wildlife in a relatively untouched ecosystem. But did you know the Islands are the only natural habitat of penguins north of the Equator? One more reason to visit!
But, to answer the question – no penguins in Madagascar!
Are you ready to see some penguins? Contact me today and I’ll start planning. tglenn@sevenwondersclub.com 408-705-4127