Antananarivo (or Tana as it is affectionately known), with its brightly coloured houses stacked up the hillsides and the mauve jacarandas, is an attractive capital city. The rice paddies and zebu-carts on the outskirts provide a stark contrast to the noisy traffic, bustling markets and colourful people in the narrow cobbles streets of the city centre. Despite the fact that Antananarivo was founded in 1625, the city has relatively little to offer in terms of conventional sightseeing. Activities in the city tend to revolve around shopping and a visit to the artisans market is well worthwhile. Here one will find an enormous array of quality Malagasy handicrafts. If shopping is not your thing, take your camera along as wonderful portrait, cultural and scenic photographic opportunities will present themselves. The Tsimbazaza Botanical and Zoological Gardens are only worth a visit if you have the time and don’t have much opportunity to visit the outlying areas. Antananarivo is known for its excellent nightlife, with live music played regularly at various clubs, bars and hotels. The city also boasts a wide selection of fine restaurants, bistros, cafes and patisseries.
Situated in the Amboasary Sud District of Madagascar, Ifotaka is known for its captivating natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and numerous historical, sacred sites. It is home to the remote Ifotaka Community Forest, a wild, secluded sanctuary protected by the local Antandroy people. This off-the-beaten-track destination encompasses abundant spiny forests, ancient hidden tombs, and an array of endemic wildlife. Keep your cameras at the ready for a variety of lemurs, as well as numerous bird species (the malachite kingfisher, hook-billed vangas, scops owl, and many others). Don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in local traditions with a visit to the ombiasy healer.
Situated on Madagascar’s Southern Coast, Manafiafy is a sleepy fishing village. The coast is sheltered by several offshore islands including the beautiful Nosy Be. This secluded tropical paradise boasts lush rainforests, vast stretches of pristine unspoilt coastline and soaring mountains in the distance. The village shows traces of the Portuguese, the French and the British influences. The surrounding forest is home to an array of endemic wildlife including a variety of bird life, numerous species of lemur, and reptiles including gecko, chameleon, and snakes. Visitors can enjoy the calm blue waters, discover the underwater wonderland below the surface, and watch the local fishermen go out in their traditional dugout canoe. Don’t miss the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the humpback whales frolicking in the bay and dolphins playing in the surf.
As previously described
Situated on the northwest coast of the exotic island of Madagascar, the Anjajavy area is home to a biodiverse reserve, luxurious beachfront lodges, a small fishing village and spectacularly scenic landscapes. Anjajavy features pristine beaches with sandy coves fringed by crystal clear turquoise waters, abundant and diverse wildlife, and tropical landscapes covered with rosewood and baobab trees. This remote paradise offers visitors a multitude of activities including: lounging on secluded beaches, indulging in a relaxing spa day, catching a glimpse of the Madagascan lemur or enjoying ocean-fresh seafood.
