Antananarivo
Explore the natural world of Madagascar where commanding baobab trees, astounding golden shorelines to the shrill call of a lemur in the wild will captivate your senses. The Centre Highlands, defined by its hills, topsy-turvy houses strewn over the hillsides and spectacular vistas makes for a picturesque arrival to the island’s capital, Antananarivo.
The beautiful city of Antananarivo perches on a hillside and exudes a mystical charm and medieval impression, a city of contrasting moods best experienced by exploring its rambling streets. Like its unique fauna and flora and diverse Asian-African origins of the Malagasy people, Antananarivo’s preserved architecture is an extraordinary mix influenced by tradition, missionary fervour and brief colonial past. The winding cobbled side streets and narrow lanes hold a maze of surprises to discover. Accommodation options include budget hotels, up-scale hotels and guest houses.
Explore the multitude of bustling markets selling anything from clothes, souvenirs, varied handcrafts, wood sculpture and semi precious stones, or visit the food market next to the train station displaying hundreds of little benches with all sorts of tropical fruit and vegetables packed in geometric piles. The markets are fun places to visit, but they can be crowded and extra care should be taken with any valuables that visitors may be carrying or wearing. In addition to the fruit and food markets, there are numerous quaint cafes and splendid restaurants to appease any appetite.
Well worth the trip, is the former summer retreat of the Malagasy royalty at Ambohimanga, literally the "blue hill", located 21 kilometres north of Antananarivo. At its summit, within a mammoth stone enclosure pierced by seven gates, stands another palace built by King Andrianjaka which is one of the oldest existing dwellings in Madagascar. Climb the series of steps leading to an esplanade providing breathtaking views of Antananarivo’s terraced rice paddies. Spend relaxing times at Lake Anosy, enjoy the view of dazzling violet blooming jacaranda trees, buy some flowers at the colourful flower market, or visit the botanical and zoological gardens. As the sun sets over the city lighting up the red-brick houses and 19th century churches with a deep golden glow, Antananarivo’s capricious and contradictory essence becomes seductive and enticing like a femme fatale ensnaring you heart in her web of magic.
