Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar is divided into three levels: the downtown where is the lake Anosy and its monument in the middle of the waters, the intermediate level where boutiques and Shops abounds and the old city in upper town (“La Haute ville”) where Palaces the Queen's palace, the ancient Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony palace, ancient Justice palace, cathedrals and the residential area ancient noblemen families worth a visit.
We don't miss the artisanal metalwork factory where from Recycling of scrap metal to produce small wonders deco art (baobabs, lampshades busts, lamps, mirror). The Violette and Dieudonné iron work opens its doors to everyone who want to buy items for having an income from the sale of art objects. They are reinvested in the company which is totally self-funded to help disadvantaged people.
Tsimbazaza Zoo (known locally as Parc Botanique et Zoologique de Tsimbazaza or PBZT) is a zoo and botanical garden in southern Antananarivo. It is the only zoo of its kind in Madagascar.There is a lot of greenery and nature (all kind of plant that exist in the Island) as well as the animals ( many species of lemurs, crodiles, reptiles and birds).It is a great way to get introduced to Madagascar (Biodiversity, culture, and history).
Lunch at the restaurant near the park. Continuation to visit the old city in upper town (“La Haute ville”) where is the Queen's palace, the ancient Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony palace, ancient Justice palace, cathedrals and the residential area ancient noblemen families worth a visit.
Morondava is the capital of Menabe region where Sakalava tribes lives since the first settlement. After time the other tribes came to mix up with the local population and from it result the current cosmopolitan population of the south- West part of Madagascar. But this region is known for these majestic baobab and and Tsingy Geologic formation and for the seafood exploitation.
Doing the city tour, will let you kwon the local market commonly called "Bazar, the spiriluna factory hold by the local association where we will learn more about the stage of the fabrication of this very precious substance for nutrition. Canoeing the mangrove and lay on the beach are interesting too such experience in this area.
In the afternoon, we will visit the baobab amoureux (lovers) to listen to the legends and history. We will end our visit at the Alley of Baobab to admire the sunset. The baobab amoureux: Lovers Baobab .Here two magnificent baobabs (Adansonia za) have twisted together, two such a giant twisted. This is very a unusual sight where faith and legends abounds.
The Avenue or Alley of the Baobabs is a prominent group of baobab trees lining the dirt road between Morondava and Belon'i Tsiribihina. Its striking landscape draws travelers from around the world, making it one of the most visited locations in the region.
A short drive away from Tana the capital while appreciating the sight to behold in and of itself to reach the Lemur's park. The hustle and bustle out of the city and then into the tranquility of the Madagascar country side with mountainous terrain of lush green hills and valleys and red mud.
You will discover nine species of lemurs in freedom in a 5-hectare botanical park planted with 6,000 tree. As lemur is the symbol of endemic fauna of the island, this park is the easiest place to find. Lunch on site and continue till Antongona hill which is the site of two historic royal wooden houses and the walled village of Amborano, established in the 17th century. This place is turned into museum to know more about Merina culture and dynasty.
Betsimisaraka’s capital, or the capital of the East, is situated at the mouth of Pangalanes channel. Tamatave is called Toamasina in Malagasy language. It has an important oil refinery to supply the capital. We visit the main thoroughfare of the city which is the Boulevard Joffre, all commercial activities are here.
We continue until Bd Ratsimilaho especially between Pointe Asti and Pointe Tanio, where you have a great view of the district, the big Market Bazar be and Bazar kely and finally the avenue of Independence facing the port. We visit the zoo of Ivoloina which is a natural habitat of 282 hectares where a dozen varieties were discovered. This Park is also home to hundreds of radiated tortoises and other species include spider tortoises, boas from the tree, frog tomato, tenrecs, vasa parrots and chameleon panther.
This national park is incredible...the area surrounding the park is a desert wasteland of poor environmental practices, which makes the park itself almost completely unexpected. It is lush and green and teaming with all kinds of flora and fauna.Discover the many waterfalls such as the Antomboka, the Antatakarana and the sacred waterfalls and the Mahasarika lake. The visit inside this paradise for birdwatchers gives an opportunity to find in tropical forest a lot of birds such as Malagasy kingfisher Alcedo vintsioides, Madagascar blue pigeon Alectroenas madagascariensis, Madagascar paradise flycatcher Tersiphone mutata or Souimanga sunbird Nectarinia souimanga etc. You can find too reptiles little famous Gekos and lemurs as well.
The Emerald Sea (Mer d'Emeraude) is located north of the passage to Diego Suarez Bay, one of the most beautiful and largest natural bays in the world. Emerald Sea is an enclosed bay and about 20 kilometers in boundary. You’ll take direction to Ramena where the sailing boat is waiting for you for crossing one hour before getting to the island.
You will have an enjoyable time in this lagoon of emerald sea which is not deeper and transparent. This allows you to swim and dream in the natural aquarium where different colorful fishes with different size. The magnificence of its landscapes, the richness of its seabed and the exceptional colors of its waters make it one of the most visited destinations in Northern Madagascar, for relaxation, discovery and practice of aquatic activities. Possiblitity to do kitesurf or windsurf on the sport at your charge.
The site is composed of beautiful eroded hills which worth the visit of this outstanding rock shapes with typical sensitive plants. Situated near the village of Irodo, it is about 50 Km from Diego-Suarez. When you walk through the Tsingy Rouge (Red Tsingy), you feel as if you're on another planet. The limestone looks unreal and it is such a unique place to visit. You should try to catch the sunset there so you can see the colours change from minute to minute.
The park is wonderful and makes you feel you were in the middle of the jungle (about 108 Km from the city of Diego-Suarez. It is a spectacularly eroded limestone fortress of sharp ridges, patches of dense tropical jungle, deciduous forest, deep caves and canyons (actually it is the biggest underground network of Africa) and rushing rivers.
With an annual rainfall of almost 2000 mm, the underlying rocks undergo a heavy erosion producing an amazing karst topography, being its most known result the fantastically eroded limestone spires, known as “tsingy”. Walking on the Tsingy is also a great and amazing experience. This reserve contains one of the highest density of primates of any forest in the world 4 species of lemurs, reptiles, bats and sometimes crocodiles.
Behind its coral beaches there is an almost continuous line of lagoons from Foulpointe to Farafangana. They are linked by man-made channels to form an inland waterway called the Pangalanes Canal.This channel has 700 Km from Tamatave in the north to Farafangana at the south. It was principal means of transportation of the local people before it becomes a touristict attaction.
Short cruise down the channel, where we visit along fishing villages and discover the flora and fauna of the region. It is beautiful experience to see along the way the local fisherman with their traditional dugout or the fruit sellers with their goods. Tropical fruit tasting at your arrival.