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.
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 Dieudonne 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, crocodiles, reptiles and birds). It is a great way to get introduced to Madagascar (Biodiversity, culture, and history). Lunch at the restaurant near the park.
We will continue 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.
This full-day tour is dedicated to 2 royal hills Ambohimanga and Ilafy. Being a former summer residence of the reigning sovereign of Imerina, Ambohimanga palace contains many buildings and memorabilia dating back to royalty period. It helps to understand how and where build the relations of the kings-queen and people hundred years ago.
We have special lunch near the palace where an historian will continue to tell more stories about. Continuation till the site of Ilafy the capital of the kingdom of Andrianjafy. Ilafy is also the site of the first arms manufacture in Madagascar, established by Jean Laborde in 1833. Drive across the typical countryside of the highland where the rice field and the red chatted roof abounds.
