Antananarivo & the Central Highlands

Home Destinations Antananarivo & the Central Highlands

The Central Highlands of Madagascar stretch from North to South along more than 1000 kilometres of the central part of the island. The altitude varies from 800 to 2700 metres at the highest peaks, but the main area lies slightly over 1000 metres above sea level. The landscape is made up of a varied plateau with a succession of large rounded boulders, hills and several higher mountains, valleys and rivers, the biggest lakes of Madagascar, shimmering rice fields and hollow-like depressions. This hilly and steep terrain, together with the stable climatic conditions, makes this area a perfect region for rice cultivation.

Experiences Recommended By The locals

Madagascar • Antananarivo & the Central Highlands

Ambalavao paper-making, silk making and wines

Ambalavoa is famous for Antaimoro paper-making and you can visit the paper factory. You can interact with the workers and try your own decoration with inlayed flowers, leaves and petals.

Madagascar • Antananarivo & the Central Highlands

Ambohimanga

Located some 21 kilometres northeast of the capital, the World Heritage spot of Ambohimanga consists of a royal city, a burial site and an ensemble of sacred places. The city remained forbidden to foreigners up until 1895, a date which corresponds to the beginning of the French Governorship over Madagascar.

Madagascar • Antananarivo & the Central Highlands

Ambositra

Ambositra is an arts and crafts town where you can have a short tour of the town. This is a centre for Zafimaniry wood craftwork with red brick Betsileo houses.

Madagascar • Antananarivo & the Central Highlands

Andringitra National Park

Trek towards the sacred Forest of Tsaranoro and its ring-tailed lemurs. Throughout this trip, many tombs are visible.

Madagascar • Antananarivo & the Central Highlands

Anja Community Reserve

Anja Community Reserve nicknamed “Anja Park” is a great place to see ring-tailed lemurs in troops. It is the most visited community-run protected area for the lemurs and the landscape is incredible with the backdrop of granite rocks.

Madagascar • Antananarivo & the Central Highlands

Antananarivo

Explore the city in the upper town (“La Haute ville”), where you can find Palaces (the Queen's Palace, the ancient Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony Palace and the ancient Justice Palace), cathedrals and the residential area of (mostly) ancient noblemen families.

Madagascar • Antananarivo & the Central Highlands

Antsirabe

Take a pousse-pousse rickshaw tour of Antsirabe to discover this interesting city mixed with architectural styles of the colonial and evangelical past. In the European district, French cottage-style houses are built next to Scandinavian villas with English style gardens.

Madagascar • Antananarivo & the Central Highlands

Fianarantsoa

Fianarantsoa once used to be the administrative capital during colonial times. The name Fianarantsoa means "the place where one can learn something good” and was given by Queen Ranavalona 1st honouring the many academic institutions and reputed schools that are based here.

Madagascar • Antananarivo & the Central Highlands

Fianarantsoa Côte Est (FCE) Train Journey

This spectacular route teeters along viaducts, crosses more than 60 bridges, cuts through steep-sided jungle valleys and speeds down the world's third-steepest railway incline.

Madagascar • Antananarivo & the Central Highlands

Ranomafana National Park

Explore the wonderful rainforest of Ranomafana; a conservation success story in many ways. Today Ranomafana plays a crucial role in education and scientific research with the help of Centre ValBio Research Centre.

Madagascar • Antananarivo & the Central Highlands

Sahambavy

Here you can learn about the process of tea making and taste some of the black and green tea produced here. You can also buy some to take home.

Madagascar • Antananarivo & the Central Highlands

Ambalavao paper-making, silk making and wines

Ambalavoa is famous for Antaimoro paper-making and you can visit the paper factory. You can interact with the workers and try your own decoration with inlayed flowers, leaves and petals.

Madagascar • Antananarivo & the Central Highlands