Archaeology handicrafts and science and technology sites to visit Madagascar

Guides for the descent of the Tsiribihina and the visit of the Tsingy (located in the Menabe region) can be found in several hotels and restaurants in town (including Chez Billy). Beware: if their rates are lower than those offered by agencies, it's sometimes because they're not all trustworthy and/or don't guarantee safety and/or don't tell you everything (the Tsingy are closed for part of the year...). Ask the person!

This coconut grove stretches along the beach to the north and south of the town. Hybrid species of coconut palms are grown here. The visit is divided into 3 sites: the reception area, near the airport, where you can buy your entrance ticket and visit the 3 artisanal processing workshops (straw, trunk and bark); the plantation, 5 km to the south, where you can observe the male flower emasculation process and the nursery; then, a few km further south, the copra ovens and the coconut oil distillation workshop. Insist on seeing it all - it's a fascinating visit!

At 20 minutes from Sambava towards Vohémar, you can first visit the plantation «Vola Maitso» (vanilla, pepper, cocoa, many species of palm trees and fruit trees). Then begins the descent of the Bemarivo River on board a flat-flat metallic canoe. Beautiful vegetation, visit of the village of Antsakajoy and its coffee plantations, scenes of everyday life… Count a good day of walking, with the return of the visit of the Cocoteraie de Soavoanio and the cross-canoe of the lagoon of Sambava.

The market of Vohipeno is animated, we will not fail to examine closely the stalls of the herbalists, do not hesitate to ask what the plants you will have under the eyes are used for, the change of scenery is guaranteed. Beyond the river, going towards the coast, the walk between rice fields and banana plantations is very pleasant, we recommend. The traditional Antemoro ceremonies, as well as the circumcision festivals, are particularly impressive in the region. For information, contact the fivondronana of Manakara.

Known and recognized site for diving off Mangily, the Massif des Roses has unfortunately lost its superbness. The tourist development that the seaside area of Ifaty has known these last decades has amply contributed to its deterioration, so much so that divers and scientists today find it difficult to recognize the coral massif that they used to admire so much. Several non-governmental organizations, such as the Bel Avenir Organization or Reef Doctor, are actively working for its preservation. Since 2007, the Massif des Roses is officially protected (even if the guard will surely be surprised during his nap when you get there!). Today, you can still see the beautiful rose-shaped corals that gave their name to the place, but many corals are damaged or dead. A few paddles away, Korandava is another site where you can observe corals, don't hesitate to ask your guide to take you there if he doesn't do it spontaneously. The corals here are multicolored and of various shapes. The aquatic fauna is numerous and the corals are sometimes damaged, but much less than in the neighboring Massif des Roses. Here and anywhere else in the sea, each tourist must have a very responsible attitude: you should not touch these natural beauties under any circumstances, not even with your eyes. If your guide was not aware of this, do not hesitate to talk to him, it will be a great action for the protection of these precious ecosystems.

Beginning its activity in 2008, Relais Madagasikara now gathers nearly 500 people. Being part of the social and solidarity economy, it carries out a work of integration of the inhabitants of Fianarantsoa and its surroundings:

Automobile construction. Le Relais has taken over the Karenjy car project abandoned in 1993, putting back on the road these easily identifiable fiberglass cars and the only 100% African cars.

Thrift shop and sorting. The clothes deposited in the dumpsters labeled "Le Relais" in France are partly sent to Madagascar and sorted before being redistributed. This is the activity that gave birth to Le Relais in Fianar, creating a local craze!

Sewing and creation. The Gash'Mlay workshop transforms and gives new life to unused fabrics.

Waste sorting and recovery center. Born from the absence of a waste treatment system in the city, the sorting center of Le Relais now receives 700 tons of waste per month. 115 people work on sorting and transforming organic matter into fertilizer, some of which will be used to develop permaculture.

Sustainable tourism. Le Relais has two establishments: the thermal hotel in Ranomafana and the Moringa in Tuléar. You will be able to meet the young and dynamic teams trained by Le Relais, in a logic of integration and solidarity. Thus the establishments put into practice the values of the Relais, for a sustainable tourism, in particular in the kitchen where the products are fresh and cultivated on the spot.

The beautiful beaches - white sand, turquoise water - that surround Maintirano stretch for miles, offering a vision of infinite languor. Ask the fishermen to show you the appropriate places for swimming.

Nosy Androtra, Nosy Lava, Nosy Maroantaly: to the south of Maintirano, a string of islands surrounded by coral reefs will delight lovers of the "desert island" atmosphere. Nothing is organized: it is necessary to inquire at the port of Maintirano or at the village of Soahanina, which can be reached from Antsalova, on the southern track.

In downtown Antalaha, enthusiasts can stop off at the artisanal shipbuilding yard. It's here that you'll learn the most about vanilla. You'll learn all about the different phases of production, from planting to the making of "boots", as well as the ancestral know-how of the craftsmen. The vanilla-weaving workshops are well worth a visit: the artisans form figurines by weaving the pods - how original!

From September to December, traditional exhumation ceremonies are reminiscent of those in Imerina or Sakalava country. Find out more at the fivondronana (town hall) or from your hotel or guide.

Recently restored, the seafront promenade between the residence and the boat harbour is dedicated to the past (beautiful colonial buildings, most of them in ruins). The weather station on a knoll to the west of the town offers a panoramic view after a walk through the countryside. Take a cab there and walk back down.

The main colorful markets are held on Thursdays in Tanambo and Tuesdays in Ankoalabe. Vanilla, coffee and cloves rub shoulders with all the seasonal fruits of the region. Baskets, mats, straw hats and handcrafted wooden boats are just some of the souvenirs you can take home with you.

Cap Est: The road here is beautiful (but also in bad shape); a stop at the vanilla plantations to learn a little more about the cultivation of this orchid is well worthwhile.

The region abounds in superb sites: the green lake nearby with its crocodiles (go there by 4x4 and come back by walking along the sea, count 5 hours of trek); to the northwest, 75 km away, the Daraina (or Loky-Manambato) reserve, near the village of the same name where gold seekers flock, sanctuary of a rare species of lemurs in danger of extinction, the golden-crowned sifaka(propithecus tattersalli) as well as the ala vato, the largest black scorpion of Mada; to the west, the first foothills of Tsaratanana; to the south, the luxuriant rainforest..

Navana is a very small, wild and tropical cove, whose granite rock beach will remind some of the Seychelles. It is an ideal place to relax for a day, especially if the weather is good. You can also visit the small traditional village, where coffee, vanilla and cloves are grown. Very nice pictures in perspective. Count 1 hour of fast boat to reach it from Maroantsetra, for at least 200 000 Ar (price likely to increase). A guide on the spot asks around 20 000 Ar.

One well-marked trail runs almost all the way around the island, while another crosses it from north to south. There are also a number of smaller trails, but you'll always find your way back. Our tip: take a right turn around the island (west coast) when you dock at Sainte Marie. You can swim and have lunch along the way. Drive along the beach and when you reach "Les Lémuriens", to the south, return inland. When you reach the village, climb up to the lighthouse for a great view. A great day trip, also available by pirogue (allow 2 hours).

At the end of Avenue de France, here's a place for a family stroll. Acting as a traffic circle, an enormous multi-century baobab tree over 20 m in circumference adorns the end of the avenue. To pay homage to the ancestors, every newcomer is expected to walk around it 7 times. Don't hesitate! Under the roots of this tree lies the treasure hidden by the Sakalava kings when they arrived from the Menabe. On the right stands a colonial-style building. The walk continues along Boulevard Marcoz (preferably in the cool).

You can visit traditional workshops of natural silk fabric. Weaving is a feminine and traditional activity in the region. Different articles (scarves, fabrics) are produced.

The domain of Ambohimanitra spreads over 60 hectares. You will learn all about vanilla, but not only: clove, pink berries, ylang-ylang, pepper and cinnamon scents are on the program... You will discover the vanilla plantation and the different varieties of vanilla trees, as well as the nurseries of local varieties. The guided tour details the process of fertilization of the vanilla flower as well as all the phases that make the flower become a vanilla bean. A vanilla-scented meal is finally served on the terrace with a beautiful view!

20 km to the north, on the road to Sambava, this lake is a waterfowl hunter's paradise (waterfowl abound: teal, humpback ducks, wild geese). But beware! There are also crocodiles. The Parc d'Andranoanala is nearby and can be reached on foot. For a longer hike, head into the park as far as the Bevontsira waterfall. For the "total package", a complete tour of the peninsula will take you as far as Maroantsetra.

By taking the road to Belazao, one reaches the belvedere of Ivohitra (notice the large antenna), from where the view embraces the whole region, with a superb panorama on this part of the Highlands. Walkers will appreciate the walk: count one hour and a half to reach the summit by turning left on the road to Betafo, at the level of the sign "Children of the sun". Then, count two hours to return to the southern entrance of the city, obviously these timings are approximate. Beware of pickpockets though.

If you take the road from the airport and continue for 3 km (12 km north from the city center), at the Grand Pavois, you will come to a surprising landscape. A natural cirque, carved by the winds and the waters, forms a kind of canyon of a surprising color: the limestones and the sands are pink, burgundy, carmine. Walking along the river, you reach the sea after a nice walk. The sunrise and the sunset on the red circuses are magical moments. Further, the red circus of Ampazony makes the joy of the amateurs of quad.

Ihosy is a place of trade and transit between the southern regions and the highlands. On Saturdays and Sundays, the zebu market, located behind the stadium, is fascinating. There, thousands of heads of cattle are the object of skilful negotiations. We are in Bara country, where the zebu is not only a symbol of social prestige but also of virility. Its possession has long been the sine qua non for being considered a real man. Since zebu thieves, the dahalo, have been wreaking havoc, traditions have changed.

A place of worship and purification according to tradition, it is the ideal goal of an authentic stroll, through small villages and rice fields. Possibility to bathe, camp and fish there.

This superb sandy beach unfolds its postcard landscape close to the sea turtles. It is the ideal escapade before going to observe them and swim with them. Nosy Be Original agency offers to travelers this private beach on Nosy Sakatia tastefully furnished. Kitchen area, bar area, a large table under a vast straw hut: the beach lined with palm trees and planted in front of a forest looks like a dream place! In addition Nosy Be Original organizes weekly parties and even full moon parties ! The dream, we tell you...

Let's meet on the Orsini quay, early in the morning or late in the day. The dockers doze in the shade of the old Arab counters, the rickshaw drivers rest in their vehicles, the sambo sellers seem to be waiting... Suddenly a dhow arrives and a feverish agitation takes over the quays. Semi-trailers loaded to the brim with cotton rub shoulders with rickshaws crumbling under the weight of fabrics. The dhows painted in red and blue, green and yellow remind us of all the journeys to Zanzibar and Moroni, according to the winds...

In the Cul de Sac Gallois Bay, a 15-minute boat ride will take you to small hills planted with baobabs. Dozens of these majestic trees, some of them several hundred years old, can be discovered during an easy one-hour walk. The opportunity to see two endemic species of baobabs. We walk near Diego, in a completely different universe already with the crystal clear waters nearby. A visit of the most exotic not to be missed, especially if you do not go to see the baobabs of the Menabe region or the west of Madagascar.