Travelling around the South of Madagascar is more ‘adventurous’ than other parts of the country. This is where you will get the greatest insight into Madagascan culture, and there are some fantastic parks to view the lemurs.
Within 20 kilometres of the Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo you find yourself in rural Madagascar; traditional Merina villages, the houses facing west; craft stalls and brickworks; people washing clothes and lavaka.
Antisrabe
The architecture, thermal baths, colonial villas and the railway station recalls Antsirabe’s heyday as the Vichy of Madagascar. The City was founded in 1872 by a Norwegian missionary attracted by the cool climate and the healing properties of the thermal springs. Today, agriculture benefits from the refreshing climate and the town is a centre for the semi-precious stones mined to the southwest and for industry. It is also best known as the centre for beer. This is also the pousse-pousse capital of Madagascar, there are hundreds of them, so hop on and take a ride!
Ranomafana National Park
Ranomafana is a rich and breathtaking primary rainforest created in 1991 to protect the critically endangered Golden bamboo lemur discovered in 1986. Its 41,600 hectares of rolling hills, cloud forest, streams and areas of dense vegetation protect a dozen lemur species, including the extremely rare and localised Greater bamboo lemur and the Milne-Edwards sifaka; three species of Leaf-tailed gecko, and 118 bird species. There is a good system of trails, including several half-day walks. It is arguably also the best rainforest birding location with Brown Mesites, Pitta-like Ground-rollers, Velvet Asitys, Yellow-browed Oxylabes and Pollens Vanga.
Isalo
Isalo has a unique Madagascan landscape and is a premier hiking destination with its scenery reminiscent of the mountainous landscape of Arizonas canyons. Steep-sided canyons and gorges have been cut through the Isalo Massif, which rises high above the surrounding grassy plains. Remarkable sandstone shapes, caused by wind erosion, give the whole landscape an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. There are some Ringtail lemurs and Sifakas in dense vegetation along the streams but it is the combination of sandstone rocks, the colours of the eroded terrain and the sweeping panoramas that make Isalo particularly rewarding.
Our two recommended hotels to explore these areas are in Ranohira, an important centre for Isalo National Park and for the sapphire trade.
Jardin du Roy
Relais de la Reine