Central Madagascar
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©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd Central Madagascar Includes ¨ Why Go? Ambatolampy ....... 50 The classic tourist route from Antananarivo (Tana) takes Antsirabe ........... 50 you south along the RN7 through central Madagascar, a high plateau stretching all the way to Fianarantsoa. You’ll Ambositra ...........55 twist and turn through these highlands, a region of scenic Ialatsara Lemur hills and rice paddies that resists generalisation. Forest Camp .........57 Here you’ll find a potpourri of travellers’ delights: bus- Parc National de tling market towns clogged with colourful pousse-pousse Ranomafana .........58 (rickshaws), a famous railway line, a distinctive architecture Manakara ............61 of two-storey mud-brick homes, a mountain stronghold of Fianarantsoa .........64 lemurs, the legacy of French colonialism, national parks Ambalavao ...........68 with landscapes ranging from thick jungle to wide-open grandeur, and some of the best hiking Madagascar has to Massif de l’Andringitra ...........69 offer. For many people this is their introduction to the country, and it’s a good one, with almost all attractions accessible by paved road. Best Places to Eat ¨ La Rizière (p67) ¨ Chez Jenny (p55) When to Go ¨ Café Mirana (p54) Antsirabe ¨ Sharon (p63) °C/°F Temp Rainfall inches/mm ¨ Le Rendez-Vous des 40/104 20/500 Pêcheurs (p50) 30/86 16/400 20/68 12/300 10/50 8/200 Best Places to 4/100 Stay 0/32 -10/14 0 ¨ Lac Hôtel (p63) J FDM A M J J A S O N ¨ Camp Catta (p72) Jul–Sep Famadi- Apr & May The Sep & Oct Best ¨ Chambres des Voyageurs hana (exhumation countryside is at weather of the (p53) and reburial) its greenest fol- year; animals are ¨ Chez Billy (p53) ceremonies take lowing the end of active, and lemurs place across the the rainy season. have babies. ¨ Hôtel Anjara (p56) region. Itasy 49 RN7 Tsiafajavona Sabotsy RN43 (2643m) Lac Froid Central Faratsiho Ambatolampy Lac Madagascar Tsiazompaniry Onive Highlights Ambohimandroso River 1 Hit the trails Ampitatafika around Antsirabe Tsinjoarivo Ilempona (p52), by foot or Sambaina Chutes de Antanifotsy l'Onive mountain bike 2 See how many species of lemurs you RN34 RN7 Betafo Talatakely can tot up during your Lac Andraikiba time in Parc National Antsirabe MADAGAS CENTRAL Lac Tritiva de Ranomafana (p58) Mt Ibinty (2254m) 3 Watch Madagascan wild silk being made in Soatanana (p54) Fandriana RN7 4 Mania Commune with River ring-tailed lemurs in Ivato River Sandrandahy Réserve d’Anja (p68)C Soavina 5 AR Scale Madagascar’s G CE Ambositra second-highest RN42 ntral Atofinandrahana mountain, Pic Boby, Ivato in spectacular Sous Le Soleil Parc National de Mada M Soatanana d’Andringitra (p70) A Alarobia- Ifasina D Antoetra 6 Sit by the Andalandronobe Falairivo aga village well in Sakaivo the paradisiacal S Mana Tsaranoro Valley car n Vohiposa jary (p71) Matsiatra River Ialatsara Lemur 7 Ride the colourful H River Forest Camp ighlight Ambohimahasoa FCE railway (p66) from Fianarantsoa to Fanjakana Parc National de Ranomafana Manakara RN7 Ranomafana 8 Paddle a pirogue S Isorana Iboaka- Ifanadiana down the Canal des Mt Kianjasoa Alakamisy Pangalanes (p61) (1374m) RN25 Fianarantsoa Sahambavy RN12 Mananantanana FCE Railway River Ambalavao RN7 Pic Ambondrombe Ikongo Réserve d'Anja (1936m) Vohisaoka Antanifotsy Namoly Tsaranoro Valley Manakara Valley Pic Boby (2658m) Domaine Aavyland Parc National d'Andringitra Canal des 0 40 km Antambohobe 0 20 miles Pangalanes Vohipeno.