TAILORMADE TRAVEL
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FIANARANTSOA, MADAGASCAR
This scenic town is also situated in Madagascar’s central highlands. Fianarantsoa is one of the more attractive towns in Madagascar and is built on a hill like a small-scale Antananarivo. This is the ideal base for a variety of excursions including, Ranomafana and Isalo.
ABOUT FIANARANTSOA
Fianarantsoa The National Park of Ranomafana is situated in mountain rainforest. A flashlight and a raincoat are recommended when viewing nocturnal wildlife. Ranomafana features superb scenery, dominated by the white water River Namorona, cascading through rainforest-clad slopes. There is a good network of hiking trails, including several half-day walks.Ranomafana is famed for its 12 species of lemur, including the 3 species of bamboo lemur). It is easy to see five species here in one day. Arguably the best rainforest birding venue, specials include brown mesite, pitta-like ground-roller, velvet asity, yellow-browed oxylabes, and pollen’s vanga. Wildlife viewing is best from 05h00 to 10h00. At least two full days are recommended in this wild rainforest. In summer, a swim in the Namorona River offers a welcome respite from the tropical heat.Visit the thermal baths also. Birders can visit the marsh known as Vohiparara, which is flatter and holds specials like Madagascar snipe, white-throated rail, Madagascar fluff tail and grey emutail.
Visit Ihosy, the outback capital of the Bara tribe. Dramatic scenery unfolds with the terraced rice paddies of the Betsileo people near Fianarantsoa, then, closer to the drier interior are massive granitic domes (“Inselbergs”), jutting out of the countryside near Ambalavao. Those interested in local crafts can obtain wonderful silk ‘lambas’ at Ambalavao, and pressed ‘Antaimoro’ flower paper. There is a noticeable change in architecture, from characteristic multi-storeyed buildings in the highlands, to simpler (yet still square) constructions of the Bara. From Ihosy, continue west to Ranohira, the gateway town for Isalo National Park.
The park covers 81 540 ha of the Isalo Massif, which rises up from the surrounding flat grassy plains. The sandstone has eroded into strange shapes, intersected by impressive gorges and canyons. In the heart of the desolate south, this mountainous landscape brings to mind images of Arizona’s deep and beautiful canyons. Isalo is a premier hiking destination, with ringtail lemurs and sifakas inhabiting the dense vegetation along the streams. Visit the natural swimming pool (La Piscine Naturelle), and for a better chance of lemur viewing, visit the Canyon des Singes.
Anjajavy is so remote that it enjoys its own time zone, an hour ahead of the rest of Madagascar. It is set in its own sandy bay with limestone cliffs at each end, an hour and a half by private plane from Tana.
Wooden bungalows built on a cliff overlooking the famous Madirokely/Ambataloaka Bay. Comfortable sea facing bungalows with arty design each with their own little veranda.
