Amazing Madagascar

A huge island nation Madagascar is located off the southeast coast of Africa. It’s home to many different animal species like lemurs. There are rainforests, beaches and reefs.

Antananarivo is the capital of Madagascar. It is located in the island’s Central Highlands.

Tana’s rova or fortified palace is known as Manjakamiadana or A Fine Place to Rule. It sits on the city’s highest hill. The palace was gutted by fire in 1995 and was restored. Visitors can see the compound. The palace was designed for Queen Ranavalona I by Scottish missionary James Cameron.

The gate to the palace is protected by a carved eagle, the symbol of military force and a phallus, the symbol of circumcision and therefore nobility. The Rova is also the resting place of the country’s greatest monarchs and you can see imposing stone tombs to the left of the main gate. The tombs of the kings are gray and the tombs of the queens are red which was the color of nobility.

Musee Andafivaratra has found its home in an impressive pink baroque palace which is the former home of Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony. In the museum, visitors can find an assortment of memorabilia. Among the artifacts, the most interesting is a portrait of the mad Queen Ranavalona I. There is also a huge gilt throne, coats of chain mail and a selection of presents from foreign crowns through the ages. The exhibits have explanations in English and French.

Parc de Tsarasaotra - even though Lake Alarobia is found right in the heart of the city’s industrial area this park is the refuge and nesting site for 14 threatened endemic bird species like the Madagascar pond heron, Meller’s duck and Madagascar little grebe.

The Presidential Palace is a lovely 19th-century manor that was an official French residence for many years. In 1975 it became the Madagascan presidential palace and remained so until President Didier Ratsiraka chose to build a more modern complex about 15 km south of the capital in 1991. It remains an official residence.

Lac Anosy is a heart-shaped lake in the southern part of town. It is particularly lovely in October when the jacaranda trees that line the shores have their purple blossoms. On an island that is connected to the shore by a causeway stands a large golden angel on a plinth, the Monument auz Morts, a WWI memorial was erected by the French. At present it is not advised to walk in this area but visitors can appreciate Anonsy from viewpoints in the Haute-Ville.

Gare Soarano used to be the old train station. Today this lovely building has become a small, upmarket shopping center. Here you can also see regular art shows with artwork by Malagasy artists. There are also chic boutiques and other shops.

Exploring Madagascar

In Little Nosy Be you’ll find Madagascar’s trademark beaches. There are quaint little fishing villages as well. You’ll find beach parties on Sunday along the sands of Madirokely.

Between the coastal hills of Helodrano Antonigila Bay, you’ll find the small island nature reserve of Nosy Mangabe. A great place for wildlife lovers famed for its booming populations of bug-eyed aye-aye lemurs.

There are huge fig trees around groves of palms where lemurs can meet up with mantella frogs. The green hills slope down into secluded bays with bright yellow sand.

One of Madagascar’s most curious natural treasures is the Tsingy de Bemaraha with a dramatic landscape of carved rocks and towering hoodoos, needle-like stone spires and colossal monoliths balanced atop cliffs. It lies among the long green belt of nature reserves on the west coast. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its great biodiversity of dry deciduous forests, rare rock habitats and sweeping plateau.

Ranomafana National Park is the natural jewel of Fianarantsoa and home to Madagascar’s famous golden bamboo lemur. There are misty montane forests and lowland plains with miles of hiking tracks going past roaring waterfalls. There are multi-colored lizards.

Lovely Isalo National Park is a patchwork of carved rock gorges and winding canyons, blooming oases and palm groves. Since 1962 it is a designated protected area with extreme biodiversity. Visitors come to admire the windswept runiforme mountains and to walk beneath towers of stacked stone. You can see rare crested ibis and ring-tailed lemurs. There are also over 80 species of endemic birds along with the famous Canyon of Monkeys.