There’s nowhere like it on the planet for wildlife, wild lands and rich traditions that endure. Prepare to fall in love.
Sahambavy, Madagascar’s only tea plantation specialising in high-quality, hand-picked tea, is located about 20 kilometres from Fianarantsoa. Spread across rolling hills, the plantation produces both black and green teas on 335 hectares, with much of its production exported internationally...
The famous Michelin railcar in Fianarantsoa is part of the historic FCE (Fianarantsoa–Côte Est) railway. While it operated sporadically until 2019, it has since remained idle at the station—without an engine and with a damaged control panel. Although staff say they hope to restore it, its...
We spent one day in Fianarantsoa, a major highland city in east-central Madagascar, situated at approximately 1,200 meters above sea level on the eastern escarpment. Known as the intellectual capital and as the “place where one learns the good,” it is distinguished by its unique three...
In the foggy morning, we left Ambositra and drove to Fianarantsoa along the RN7, which is a scenic, roughly 4-hour, 160km journey through Madagascar’s central highlands. The road is generally in decent condition compared to other parts of the country, passing through vibrant rice...
We also had the chance to experience one of the most remarkable traditions of Betsileo heritage: Savika, the region’s traditional bullfighting ritual. The event took place in a remote area several kilometres outside Ambositra, deep in the countryside. Reaching it by car was impossible, so...
We got a tip from our local guide about two places where traditional “combat de coq” takes place every Sunday. Cockfighting in Ambositra, and throughout Madagascar, is a deeply rooted and widely practised cultural tradition, influenced by Asian migration. It remains a legal, high-stakes...