ANTANANARIVO and SURROUNDINGS

ABOUT ANTANANARIVO

The city of Thousands

Built in the early 17th century by the Merina kings, Antananarivo is today Madagascar’s most populous city, with over 2.2 million inhabitants. It is the starting point for all travellers wishing to discover the island. That’s why it’s called the “city of a thousand”, as it offers many sites to visit for those who like to explore Malagasy history and culture. Accompanied by an experienced guide, you can learn more about the Malagasy people, their origins, habits and customs. What’s more, you’ll have the opportunity to discover a wide variety of architectural beauties, including picturesque belvederes offering breathtaking views of the surrounding area.

Fauna and Flora

Sites for studying Madagascar’s flora and fauna are scattered throughout the heart of the city and its immediate surroundings. Here you can observe endemic animals such as lemurs, multicolored birds, chameleons and Madagascar frogs. These sites are accessible for individual or group visits, accompanied by our experienced wildlife observation guides.

Ambohimanga Rova

The sacred hill of Ambohimanga , the birthplace of the Merina Kingdom, is a royal hill and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also known as a place of pilgrimage and comprises a series of sacred sites, a royal city and a burial site. Beyond being simply a tourist site, this place has preserved a large part of the national identity of the Malagasy population, in particular that of the Merina Kingdom, for many years.

Around Antananarivo

You can see : “Ambatolampy, center of manufacture of aluminum casseroles and decorative arts, is located 100 km south of Antananarivo”. “Antsirabe, a volcanic region with a multitude of attractive spots, provides thermal waters, the volcanic craters of Andraikiba and Tritriva, and other curiosities.