Traveling by rail in Madagascar is both a pleasant and practical experience, and as a bonus, you'll be able to proudly display your low-carbon travel badge. But make no mistake, it's a real adventure! Can you imagine yourself surrounded by shopkeepers with their baskets of fish, poultry, bananas, and other local goodies to keep you company throughout the journey? if that's the case, then let's go together.
The lamba, a traditional Malagasy fabric, is indisputably Madagascar's artisanal product par excellence. Much more than a simple garment, it is a permanent, even eternal, companion.
It represents Madagascar's cultural identity and is worn with pride by the Malagasy people. Whether it's a square of fabric draped over a woman's shoulder, printed cotton wrapped around her hips, or a shroud lovingly crafted to welcome ancestors into their eternal sleep, the lamba is both versatile and symbolic.
This textile, often adorned with significant patterns and colors, is used in various ceremonies and rites, expressing a sense of belonging to a community and the continuity of ancestral traditions.
Toamasina, also known as Tamatave, is Madagascar's main port and plays a crucial role in the island's maritime trade. Located on the east coast, Toamasina's primary tourist attraction lies in its diverse tourist population. Throughout the year, the eastern capital welcomes visitors of all nationalities: French, Japanese, German, and Chinese, mostly engineers, technicians, and businesspeople who mingle in the hotels. During the vacation season, the sight of tourists sitting along the seafront is almost ritualistic. Although Toamasina has now been overtaken by Mahajanga as the leading tourist city, this unique spectacle is enough to prove that in Madagascar, the words "vacation" and "tourism" are still closely associated with Toamasina.
Located in the Ihorombe region, this rich basin, where the dead reside, is dizzying. The vineyards and tobacco fields seem overwhelmed by the black massif of Andringitra and the famous Ambondrombe rock, where spirits seek refuge after death. Ambalavao should be less than an hour's drive from Fianarantsoa, the capital of the Betsileo region, but with the current state of roads in Madagascar, more time should be allowed. You travel through terraced rice fields that cover the hills. The lack of land on the high plateaus has led farmers for centuries to develop a unique cultivation method: they have tackled the mountains and hills, creating their rice paddies through successive terraces. Irrigation is done by capturing rainwater and controlled torrents that flow down through all the terraces. These are soon followed by a forest of shrubs, the tapia, a genuine reserve of silkworms strictly protected against bushfires.
On a journey southward through the big island, one cannot overlook Fianarantsoa, the capital of the Betsileo region, called "Fianar" by locals. Known as "the city where good is learned," it has become the undisputed intellectual capital of Madagascar.
The strong concentration of Christian missionaries, combined with the inhabitants' innate interest in work and scholarship, has transformed this terraced city in the heart of the Highlands into a must-visit destination for publishers, authors, and historians. This unique character alone justifies a visit to Fianarantsoa.
Nestled 408 km from Antananarivo, the city was founded in the early 19th century from a small village surrounded by terraced rice fields. It was Queen Ranavalona I who decided to establish her second capital there, intended to become a center for the spread of Christianity.
In our quest for new experiences, we often wonder what doses of adventure are still possible to discover in Madagascar, because we need something new, unique, and not already over-exploited by everyone else. And we think we've found the answer: motorized raids in Madagascar. If you're passionate about off-the-beaten-path travel, a motorized raid is an experience not to be missed. With its varied landscapes, winding roads, and numerous encounters along the way, Madagascar offers the ideal backdrop for an unforgettable motorized adventure.
Immersed in the Haute Matsiatra region, just a short distance from the town of Ambalavao, the Anja Village Reserve is an emblematic example of successful community conservation. This reserve, managed by the local community, is a lesser-known destination compared to its famous neighbors, Isalo National Park and Ranomafana National Park. However, the Anja Community Reserve is not lacking in assets: you can observe the makis, the reserve's natural inhabitants, up close.
Located around 12 kilometers northeast of Toliara (Tuléar) and 2 kilometers north of the Tropic of Capricorn, the Arboretum d'Antsokay is a haven of peace for nature lovers and botany experts. Founded in 1980 by Swiss botanist Hermann Petignat, the arboretum covers 40 hectares of semi-arid land, typical of southwestern Madagascar. It is home to over 900 plant species, many of which are endemic and threatened with extinction. The main aim of the Arboretum association is to safeguard the endemic flora of southern Madagascar.
Meals in Madagascar vary depending on the region (highlands or coastal areas) and where you eat: in the streets or markets, in hotely (small, popular Malagasy restaurants), or in more traditional restaurants. In Madagascar, you'll enjoy a relatively varied and sometimes surprising culinary experience, reflecting the diversity of this big island. In fact, you can eat well in Madagascar, and sometimes even very well.
