Means of transport Madagascar

The good find! As follows: Cotisse also provides connections between Tana, Tamatave, Morondava and Fianarantsoa.

If the service resumes during your visit, the journey from Fianarantsoa to Manakara with the "small train of the cliffs" is an expedition not to be missed. The railroad was built between 1927 and 1936 by Chinese workers but the rails come from Alsace! An "adventure" rich in discoveries, in emotions, a little exhausting but unique awaits you. Note: the road from Ranomafana to Manakara offers undoubtedly more beautiful panoramas, but it is difficult to penetrate the daily reality of these small stations that nobody knows.

The train serves 20 villages between Fianarantsoa and Manakara.

From Fianarantsoa to Manakara: departures on Tuesdays and Saturdays around 7am.

From Manakara to Fianarantsoa : departures on Wednesdays and Sundays around 6:45 am.

Approximate travel time: in theory from 8 to 12 hours for 163 km... I might as well warn you, it can take up to 24 hours! The local population depends on this train, which is their only contact with the outside world. As a result, the transport of goods becomes very important: the stops in the stations are made according to what there is to load and unload. There is also the possibility of a derailment, of course, which can cause a considerable mess in the planning of your trip. Therefore, plan one or two days in your schedule if you want to try the adventure.

The prices of the tickets were at the last news 100 000 Ar for the way Fianarantsoa-Manakara. The easiest way is to contact the guides' association to help you book.

On the rails. This trip is a slow journey in the heart of the Malagasy reality, an immersion in an aspect of the life of the deep country. The hours pass quickly so much there is to feel, to see, to hear, and to meet. You can walk, stretch your legs, read, stroll during the stops. The track is often quite steep from the Highlands (Fianarantsoa is at an altitude of more than 1,200 m) to the coast. First, the cars cross beautiful rice terraces punctuated by graceful Betsileo houses and large areas devoted to Sahambavy tea and vineyards. Then, once crossed the Sahambavy river, the forest spaces punctuated with hibiscus, jasmine, flamboyants and mimosas begin.

At about forty kilometers from Fianarantsoa, once past the locality of Ranomena, the railroad that now borders a long cliff descends a very steep slope punctuated by bridges crossing rivers, running along rapids, before crossing the Mandriampotsy falls. From then on, the Indian Ocean becomes perceptible on the horizon beyond the forest tops punctuated with majestic ravenalas. And the villages follow one another: Madiorano, the coffee growing center of Tolongoina, Manampatrana. Each stop sees an exchange between travelers and inhabitants of the surrounding villages: fruits, drinks, cigarettes, precious stones are negotiated in the corridors, on the platforms, in the undergrowth, until the departure. Further on, the train crosses Sahasinaka and enters the coastal regions whose vegetation cover is largely degraded, the large forest giving way to a mixed vegetation where ravenala dominates. At the level of Ambila the marshes mark the beginning of the historical regions of Antaimoro, then the train continues to the port of Manakara and the shores of the Indian Ocean.

Several weekly connections between Paris and Tana. We land in the Malagasy capital at night at 10:15 pm, and in the late morning in France for the reverse journey. Office at the airport open from 8pm until the plane takes off, every day of departure ✆ +261 20 22 589 40. Air France is the French national airline, founded in 1933. Its main activities are transporting passengers, cargo and aircraft maintenance and servicing. Air France is one of the companies serving the largest number of destinations in the world.

Direct flights to Tana from Paris-CDG and Marseille. The company then serves most of the country's cities, with itslow-costsubsidiary Tsaradia, launched in 2018, at least once a day like Mahajanga, Santa Maria, Maroantsetra and Toamasina in 1 hour. Morondava, Nosy Be and Sambava are only 1h30 from Antananarivo. The flight time to Antsiranana, Tolanaro and Toliara is not much longer, allow two hours.

Serves Antsirabe, Fianarantsoa, Ambositra, Ranohira, Tuléar, Fort-Dauphin, Morondava, Mananjary and Manakara. Towards the south: Antsirabe (3 h of travel, 20,000 Ar) Ambositra (5 h, 30,000 Ar), Fianarantsoa (9 h, 45,000 Ar), Ambalavao (at least 10 h, 50,000 Ar), Ihosy (12 h, 50,000 Ar), Ranohira (14 h, 70,000 Ar) and Tuléar (18 h, 55,000 Ar). To the west: Morondava (12 h, 55 000 Ar). To Fort-Dauphin: at least 3 days of travel, count 140 000 Ar.

Crossings in the morning, on board three fast boats. Count 1 hour of journey. The company's boats make the daily transfer between Anakao and Tulear. They currently have a fleet of three boats that can transport from 10 to 22 people comfortably, quickly and safely between Tulear and Anakao. Safety is the main concern of the company and is ensured by the following elements: permanent telephone connection, on-board telephones, experienced and trained pilots, respect of European standards, regular maintenance...

After a hiatus of almost four years, Corsair International has announced the resumption of flights between Paris and Tana in 2023. Two flights a week are offered between Paris-Orly and Antananarivo-Ivato airport. Departures are on Tuesdays and Fridays (then Mondays and Fridays from October 2023). Return flights depart from Tana on Wednesdays and Saturdays (then Tuesdays and Saturdays from October 2023). Each flight will have a stopover in La Réunion. A novelty that may well bring down air fares!

Daily departure from Sainte-Marie at 5 a.m., bus departure from Soanierana at 8 a.m., arrival in Tamatave around 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Cap Sainte-Marie is one of the pioneers of the boat transfer service linking the town of Soanierana-Ivongo to the island of Sainte-Marie. For 20 years, it has been providing this daily crossing, combining comfort and safety for its customers. Their boat is a 40-passenger speedboat, equipped with two independent engines, life jackets for all passengers and GPS to ensure a safe crossing.

Madagascar Airlines is the new national airline that obtained its Air Transport Certificate and its operating license in April 2023. It provides international flights to and from Madagascar and replaces the former Air Madagascar. Tsaradia is the subsidiary company that operates domestic flights (with the call sign TZ). In April 2023, Tsaradia was still identified as such by Malagasy people, agencies and travelers, but eventually, perhaps only "Madagascar Airlines" will remain in use.

A good taxi contact, which is also an approved guide. . Serious and effective.

It links Moramanga to Ambila Lemaitso, passing through landlocked areas. The train consists of two 88-seat coaches and two baggage cars. Madarail has also acquired six new coaches, including two 64-seat first-class coaches and four 72-seat second-class coaches. However, these cars are not yet in service.

A railroad ride in Micheline, a historical marvel of the 1930 s, which rolls to 50 km/h. Inside, 19 wicker seats, bamboo parquet, bar corner, bathroom…

Tsaradia, a subsidiary of Madagascar Airlines, operates daily flights to several destinations in the country (Diego-Suarez, Nosy be, Mahajanga, Tamatave, Sambava, Maroantsetra, Sainte-Marie, Tuléar, Morondava, Fort-Dauphin, Ambatondrazaka, Tana). The company's professionalism and quality of service are second to none. However, if you have to connect with an international flight on the return leg of a domestic flight, always allow a minimum of 24 hours in Tana just in case, as delays and/or cancellations cannot be ruled out.

The passionate (and passionate) Geneviève and Rudy of Madavoile created this marina in 2008. Twinned with Port-Camargue in the Gard, which sent the floating pontoon, this marina offers all the services necessary for pleasure boats: water, electricity, wi-fi access by purchase of a card, restaurant-bar open every day (on Sundays, bar only). Concerts and various festivities are also organized; for several years, the marina has hosted the annual Nosy Be Grand Regatta, in September/October. A must see!

Gare de l'Est serves several towns: Moramanga (10,000 Ar), Brickeville (30,000 Ar), Vatomandry (25,000 Ar), Mahanoro (36,000 Ar) and Marozevo (10,000 Ar). For Andasibe, get off at Moramanga to take a second taxi-brousse; add 5,000 Ar for this second trip. The taxi-brousse leaves at 4 a.m., then runs every hour until 6-6.30 p.m... in theory. As always in Madagascar, you'll need to have plenty of time on your hands for such a trip, as the unexpected can happen all the time.

This is the comfort version (and the most timely) of the taxi-brousse: the company Cotisse offers direct minibus trips from Antananarivo to Tamatave in "economy" (19 seats), "premium" (16 seats) or "VIP" (9 seats + air-conditioning, electrical outlets and breakfast). All are equipped with wifi and screens showing movies, a must for the price. Here, the number of passengers is strictly respected, departures are punctual and tickets can be purchased in advance. Many cities of the Big Island are served.

Travel agency specialized in private aircraft rental. Based in Sainte-Marie, it proposes on its website or directly offers for empty return flights to Tana or Tamatave. Four or five times a month promotions are available to other destinations (Morondave, Masoala...). Since 2020, the agency has expanded its activities and offers customized trips to the east coast of Madagascar. Bora Fly now offers a personalized service in the organization of trips and the rental of private aircraft.

This is the comfort version (and the most timely) of the taxi-brousse: the Cotisse company offers direct minibus trips from Antananarivo to all cities in the country in "economic" (19 seats), "premium" (16 seats) or "VIP" (9 seats + air conditioning, electrical outlets and breakfast). All are equipped with wifi and screens showing movies. Here, the number of passengers is strictly respected, departures are punctual and tickets can be purchased in advance. All major cities of the Big Island are served.

For Antananarivo, count 13 hours of road. Bush cabs leave at 7 am and 6:30 pm. Count 35 000 Ar approximately.

For Manakara, count 13 000 Ar; for Mananjary, count 13 000 Ar. Departures all day long as soon as a taxi-brousse is full.

For Ambalavao, departures three times a day for 2 500 Ar.

For Tulear, in the morning at 7:30 and 8:00 am and in the evening at 5:30 pm, for 27 000 Ar.

Comfort option: Cotisse minibuses offer 3 daily departures from Tana to Fianarantsoa for 25 000 Ar in complete safety. We recommend it!

The airline offers flights from Paris-Charles de Gaulle, La Réunion and Mayotte. Air Austral serves 6 Madagascan destinations via La Réunion: Tananarive, Nosy Be, Fort-Dauphin, Tulear, Diego and Tamatave. Journey time from Saint-Denis de La Réunion to Madagascar is 2 hours 20 minutes. Air Austral is a Reunion-based airline operating mainly in the south-west Indian Ocean, which it serves from La Réunion Gillot Roland-Garros airport.