Hilary Bradt's career as an occupational therapist ended when potential employers noticed that the time taken off for travel exceeded the periods of employment. With her former husband George, she self-published her first guidebook in 1974 during an extended journey through South America. As well as running Bradt Travel Guides, Hilary worked for 25 years as a tour leader in Madagascar.

Her in-depth knowledge of the country has brought her lecture engagements at the Royal Geographical Society, the Smithsonian Institution and on board expedition cruise ships, as well as numerous commissions for travel articles. She now lives in semi-retirement in Devon and is delighted to have handed over the hard graft of researching new editions to Daniel.

Daniel Austin is co-author of a number of books on Madagascar, including, for Bradt, Madagascar, Madagascar Highlights and Madagascar Wildlife: A Visitor's Guide. As a full-time Madagascar specialist, Daniel visits the country at least once a year to lead group tours, lecture on cruises, and carry out research.

Additionally, he is a photographer specialised in Madagascar, especially its unique wildlife. He is also Secretary of the Anglo-Malagasy Society, which promotes Madagascar's interests in the UK, as well as founder of the Madagascar Library, an archive of over 4,000 historical and contemporary books and documents about the country.