The town of Miandrivazo in Madagascar is reputed to be the hottest on the island, owing its heat to its recessed geographical position, which is not very windy. A district capital in the Menabe region, it lies 738 km from Toliara, on the banks of the Mahajilo River, a tributary of the Tsiribihina. The town is surrounded by the Bemaraha and Bongolava mountain ranges, and has an average temperature of 28°C.
Miandrivazo’s name comes from a historical event. According to legend, during his third campaign against the Sakalava, King Radama I formed an alliance with King Ramitraho of the Menabe and asked for his daughter, Princess Rasalimo, in marriage. While awaiting her arrival, Radama I stood on a hill near the town. When passers-by asked about his anxious demeanor, he replied: “Miandry vazo aho,” meaning “I’m waiting for a wife.” The town’s name comes from this answer.
Miandrivazo, accessible from Antananarivo via the RN7, is known for its lively atmosphere, visible from dawn with smoke rising into the sky. It serves as the starting point for an unforgettable experience: a pirogue journey down the Tsiribihina River with a local guide. Visitors can bathe under natural waterfalls and observe lemurs, chameleons, bats, and many other unusual animals.