You are about to discover a true natural masterpiece, where the beauty of the landscape meets the modernity of agriculture. As you travel along the road heading east, bordered by hills with white, pink, and gray slopes, you will be immersed in one of Madagascar’s most fascinating sites, where intensive rice farming reigns supreme.
Lake Alaotra, a gem of the Highlands, is an exception in this mountainous region. Thanks to its flat terrain, it was possible to implement the first forms of large-scale rational agriculture: land development, consolidation, and mechanization. Despite the resistance of families attached to their ancestral plots, time has allowed the rationalization of these agricultural spaces, leading to massive production of rice and cassava, giving rise to the tapioca industry, now a national pride.
But beyond the agricultural wealth, it is the exceptional beauty of the site that amazes. At the agricultural station of Ambohitsilaozana, just 18 km north of Ambatondrazaka, technicians have become artists. The vast colorful gardens and alleys lined with an exuberant variety of coconut trees, eucalyptus, bougainvillea, and ravenalas stand as proof that this space is a true landscape masterpiece. The 111 varieties of palm trees and other iconic species of Madagascar transform this station into a true haven of biodiversity.
Don’t miss the opportunity to visit this natural and agricultural wonder, where the richness of the soil is matched only by the diversity of the landscapes. Lake Alaotra promises you an experience that is both visual and cultural, a blend of art and nature. Plus, it is the only region in Madagascar where you can encounter the aquatic lemurs, known as the Bandro.
