We spent a day in Antsirabe, a city founded in 1872 by Norwegian missionary T.G. Rosaas as a highland retreat. Known as the “City of Water” or the “Malagasy Vichy,” it owes its nickname to its thermal springs and refreshingly cool climate. What began as a small missionary settlement...
We couldn’t miss one of the most popular stops along the route between Antananarivo and Antsirabe: Ambatolampy, often referred to as Madagascar’s “aluminium town.” It is renowned for its traditional, family-run aluminium foundries that line the RN7. Dating back to around 1942, these...
Located about 2.5 km from Hell-Ville, the Arbre Sacré de Mahatsinjo (Sacred Tree) is a huge, more than 200-year-old Ficus benghalensis (banyan tree) near the village of Mahatsinjo, spreading across roughly 2,000 square meters. The site also features a small local cultural museum and a...
Andoany (better known as Hell-Ville) is the vibrant, bustling administrative capital of Nosy Be. It offers a compelling mix of faded French colonial architecture, colourful markets, and authentic Malagasy culture. Rather than a beach destination, it’s best experienced as a cultural...
As part of our one-day trip to Nosy Komba, we spent some free time at the uninhabited marine national park near Nosy Be, located on the tiny island of Nosy Tanikely, often described as an “underwater aquarium.” This protected sanctuary—where fishing and nighttime anchoring are...
Today we joined an organised one-day excursion (300,000 MGA) to Nosy Ambariovato, better known as Nosy Komba—the “Island of Lemurs.” This popular trip from Nosy Be is perfect for spotting wildlife, especially black lemurs (Eulemur macaco), experiencing local culture, and unwinding on...
Nosy Be is Madagascar’s premier island destination, renowned for its white-sand beaches, fragrant ylang-ylang plantations, and vibrant marine life. Highlights include snorkelling in the Nosy Tanikely Marine Reserve, hiking up Mont Passot for breathtaking 360-degree sunset views (🎟️15,000...
The rather rough road from Ambanja brought us to Ankify Port (about 1 hour / 22 km), a busy maritime hub in northwestern Madagascar. It serves as the main gateway for passengers and cargo travelling between the mainland and nearby islands such as Nosy Be, Nosy Komba, and Nosy Tanikely...
Sambirano cocoa, grown in the Sambirano River valley in northwestern Madagascar, is a premium, largely organic “fine cacao” prized for its distinctly fruity, bright, and slightly acidic flavour profile. Thanks to the valley’s unique microclimate and high-quality genetics—typically a blend...
We spent the night in Ambanja, the gateway to the Sambirano Valley. Located in northwestern Madagascar along the Sambirano River, the town is a vibrant agricultural hub and the heart of the country’s organic cocoa production. The name “Ambanja” literally means “where there is powder.”...