excursions in antananarivo

ANTANANARIVO , the"City of the Thousands" owes its name to the king Andrianjaka who , in 1610 , installed there a garrison of thousand men. Located on the Highlands, it is the crossroads of the malagasy main roads and internal flights.Tana , for the regulars , is divided in high city and lowcity connected by endless staircases.With its tourism sites , its fine avenues , its handicraft centers , its museums , its churches , its royal palaces , its markets , the Malagasy Capital is without doubt the first tourist town not to be missed.

Botanical and zoological park of Tsimbazaza

A lot of time could be spent strolling quietly through a luxuriant vegetation, on the edge of a small lake where a hundred of aquatic bird come electing domicile in the middle of a splendid bambou plantation and an arboretum.
Furthermore, the most of lemurs species living in the Island are represented there in semi captivity and a vivarium shelters small mammals as well as reptiles.
There is also the paleontological and ethnographical museum where can be discovered a complete Aepyornis skeleton, archeolemurs skeletons and dinosaurs bones.

Croc Farm : the crocodiles farm

This crocodile breeding park is situated 5mn from Ivato airport . In this wooded park of 3ha, the visitor can observe in all security these strange saurians eating and lazily lounging in the sun. By the same opportunity , you will have the pleasure to appreciate the multiple tree species of the Malagasy forest. The park cafeteria - bar surprises you with its specialties such a croco steak or others croco exotic foods . The park opens 7/7days from 9h to 17h .

Lemurs' Park is situated 22 km from the center of Antananarivo on RN 1 to Imeritsiatosika and Arivonimamo. In this botanical park of 4 hectares planted with 6 000 trees live in liberty 9 species of lemurs . Lemurs' Park has been created with the object to make discover these surprising animals to the greatest number, to those passionately fond of these animals , nature lovers and thus to allow with the passing years the reintroduction of the lemurs born in the park in their natural environment .

The Angavokely massif

A forest station of 690ha at approximately 30km on the road to Tamatave(RN 2). Wooded areas and rocky peaks will make happy hike lovers and climbing lovers , when reaching the summit (1787m) an endless view on the East of Imerina ( lake Mantasoa) and the capital will agreeably surprise them . Not to be missed the caves of Andavabatomaizina and Andavantsongomby as well as the cave of « the Queen 's bath ».
An arboretum situated 1km from the station makes oneself acquainted with the authentic primitive forest with its lichens and its orchids.
The entry to the station is submitted to an authorization delivered by the Waters and Forest Direction (DEF) . Do not forget to carry torch for the caves exploration .

Ambohimanga palace

It is built on the Blue hill situated 19km from the capital. This was the Top Place of the Merina royalty and the starting point of the Imerina unification. This ancient royal city was renowned to be a sacred city where no foreigner are admitted.
Today the Rova always shelters the king Andrianampoinimerina house (1788-1810), the queen Ranavalona rest home , the oxen park and sacred basins . The enclosure is surrounded by a great wall largely composed with eggs whites in place of the cement. The door called « Ambatomitsangana » situated at the east is a great disc of stone of 4m of diameter rolled each evening and morning by several tens of men to lock the entry. A look-out post is found above this entry.

Perched on a rocky promontory (1406 m), it is worth a full day visit , the site is situated at 7km from Imerintsiatosika village, itself 27km from the capital on a tarred road . Many fortifications vestiges testify the defensive character of the site. From the open area where cars can be parked , a small climbing on foot until the summit is well rewarded by a beautiful panorama offered to your eyes :a general view of the capital west facade stands out to the east while to the north could be seen a small typical village fortified of its ancient ditch which can be easily reached on foot in a small hour. It is there that been found keys of the two traditional houses of the Rova and which allow therefore to discover there photographs and various traditional objects.

Ambohidratrimo palace

Situated 13km from the capital on the RN4, this Rova was once , between 1675 and 1710 , the witness of a tragedy within the Merina royalty . One easily accesss atop the hill by a tarred road . Some stones near royal tombs testify what the Rova was and three oval form ditches surrounded the ancient village. A stone with two sculpted breasts (symbol of fecundity ) is erected not far from the tombs and is invoked by sterile women. Offerings are often paid to it .

Antsahadita palace

The Rova of Antsahadinta or the valley of leeches . This village situated at the southwest 17km from the capital is composed of traditional habitations built with woods and vegetable fibers , reminding villages of the Imerina in times past
By taking the path that leads to the Rova, one discovers the tomb of the King Andriamangarira, constituted of dry stones, as well as others topped by « Tranomasina » belonging to others dethroned sovereigns following the conquest of Andrianampoinimerina.

Andramasina
and Tsiazompaniry lake

Andramasina (where the blood is sacred ) is situated 40km from the capital, on the RN7 in direction of Antsirabe. The origin of the name of this site leaves to suppose the practice of some sacrifice in these places in times past . The track of 18 km that leads to the village will let you harmoniously follow the caprices of the river Sisaona and its enchanting valley embellished of small villages lost in the green ricefields .
From Andramasina one can follow the path until the great lake of Tsiazompaniry barrage (about 34km ).

Situated 60 km from the capital , the lake Mantasoa is an immense barrage lakebuilt in 1937, barrage serving to regularize the Ikopa waterway. Perfectly integrated in a hilly landscape, this artificial lake presents meanders where it arrives sometimes that one loses its way . Its shadowy banks borderd of pine woods do not lack charm, and serve as place of holiday to the middle class of the capital .
The industrial city of Jean Laborde (1837-1857) ;situated not far from the lake, this was at this time one of the greatest if not the greatest and the most prosperous industrial complex of the Indian ocean. Arms and ammunitions for the queen Ranavalona the First (canons, guns, sabres...) were manufactured there as well as construction materials (bricks, tiles...)and manufactured goods Now ,of this vast unity it remains only the building serving as foundry and the vestiges of the blast furnace and the lime oven. There is also his tomb baptized « Soamandrakizay »or the eternal happiness.

Mandraka and "Pereyras" mini-zoo

Ampefy and Itasy region

125 km from the capital on RN 1. This small typical village situated 10km from Analavory can be accessed by an asphaltic road . Situated at the surroundings of the Lily waterfalls that feeds a small crater lake ,the Kavitaha, itself communicates with the Itasy lake , this village will be a starting point for beautiful hikes in this volcanic region of the middle West of the Great Island. Several interesting sites are worth to be visited : the basin of the lake Itasy and its surroundings . Just the lake deserves the trip, because its existence is due to an important lava flow that obstructed the valley. The runoff and waters infiltration have then filled the basin. According to a legend, the ground would have subsided allowing waters to fill a natural basin.
The mount of the Virgin Mary : 15km southward Ampefy on a rocky promontory. It owes its name to the edification of the virgin statue at its summit.
the Lily waterfalls :5km westward Ampefy ; falls of approximately 20m high. Difficult access with tourism car.
Geysers ;4km before Analavory take the right fork on a path of 9km after having crossed a quarry .

Situated at the southeast limit of the Imerina, the Tsinjoarivo site , or « thousands viewpoints » , is an unique viewpoint on the immensity of the eastern luxuriant forest (167m of altitude). Not far from there , the powerful river of the Onive is transformed into two tumultuous cascades emphasizing the majestic aspect of the places . Anyway in times past, this was a place of escape that Merina monarch ( beginning with the queen Ranavalona the First ) have chosen to establish their country house , hence the Rova that belongs to the national patrimony.
Not to forget the visit of the Cold Lake Mahafompona sheltering ducks and aquatic birds.

Ambatolampy : "with smooth stone"
Situated 68km from the capital on the RN7, it is since centuries the domain of the foundry and forge trades ( tools and iron made arms manufacture ). Today this tradition has developed in the realization of kitchen ustensils and various aluminium, copper, and bronze objects. Horses breeding are also an other vocation of this village.. The Manja - Ranch organizes horse ridings to the discovery of picturesque site , among open and hospitable populations .
The forest station of Manjakatompo, situated 17km westward from Ambatolampy, is located inside the Ankaratra Mountain - highest point the Tsiafajavona Mount (2643m)- and is accessible only by a four wheels drive vehicle during the season of rains. The visit is with charge for admission .

Antsirabe :"where there is a lot of salt" . This charming city owes its name to the presence of a strong rate of mineral salt in its thermal waters. Indeed it was baptized the « Malagasy Vichy » and thereby possesses baths and adaquate structures to receive patients taking the waters.
To mention also the presence of crater lakes in the region: the lake Tritriva – 15 km from Antsirabe - very impressive by its dark blue color because of its great depth (more of 160m). It is possible to walk to the approaches of the crater once you reach the Mount Tritriva. As for lake Andrakiba situated 7km westward from the city , it can become a holiday resort during the hot season of the year. With a circumference of 5km, it is easy to go all the way round on foot by taking a small road.
Besides , it is an important industrial city and moreover a rich agricultural region, propitious to the breeding . It is reputed for its dairy products and its pork burchery .
A visit of the stone cutter « Chez Joseph » is imperative just for the pleasure of the eyes.
The climbing of the Vontovorona (2054 m) and the Mount Ibity (2255 m) is a sport opportunity to envisage with a guide.
From the Ivohitra , hill that dominates the city (1651 m) we have a vast panoramic view on the High lands and all the Vakinankaratra region .
Without forgetting its great Saturday market and the small raiway station of the city .

Situated at approximately 100km from the capital. It is the first stop on the
RN 4 Antananarivo - Majunga through the arid immensity of the Tampoketsa which was once covered by a great trees forest . Now , the special reserve of Ambohitantely situated 30 km from RN 4 on a tarred road is worth the trip . Several hiking paths have been opened to allow the exploration of the reserve.

The places of interests