Is 3 days enough to see Antananarivo?

Yes — three days in Antananarivo is enough to experience the best the city has to offer. Our itinerary covers The Rova royal palace, the 12 Sacred Hills & the Avenue of Independence, Lemur park, the Tsimbazaza Zoo & the Antananarivo artisan market, Ambohimanga royal hill, the famadihana ceremony & Malagasy vanilla, giving you a genuine feel for Antananarivo without feeling rushed.

When is the best time to visit Antananarivo?

May–November: the dry season (the "saison sèche") — the most comfortable time to visit Antananarivo (the rainfall is low and the humidity is reduced: temperatures 15–25°C in the highlands). July–September: the peak famadihana season (the ceremony takes place during the dry season when the highland roads are passable for the family gatherings). December–April: the wet season (the "saison des pluies

Where should I stay in Antananarivo?

Isoraka — the historic French colonial hotel in the most elegant residential and diplomatic quarter of Antananarivo, with the finest restaurant in the city is a great base for exploring Antananarivo. Hôtel Colbert Antananarivo from €80/night is our recommended hotel for its location and value.

What is Antananarivo most famous for?

Antananarivo (Tanà — the affectionate abbreviation used by all inhabitants and visitors — population 3.

What language do people speak in Antananarivo?

Malagasy (the national language of Madagascar — the language of the Merina plateau: the Malagasy language is remarkable for its origin: the closest relative of Malagasy is Maanyan (a language of the Dayak people of Borneo in Indonesia) — the evidence that Madagascar was settled by Austronesian seafarers from Southeast Asia approximately 1,500 years ago (the "Austronesian hypothesis" for the settlement of Madagascar is now almost universally accepted by linguists and geneticists): the Malagasy vocabulary is primarily Austronesian (Indonesian/Borneo origin) with significant Bantu African loanwords (from the East African coast trade: Swahili) and smaller Arabic, French and English components). French (the co-official language of Madagascar since independence in 1960 — the language of education, government and formal business: the most widely spoken second language in Antananarivo (virtually all educated Malagasy speak French)). English is spoken at the international hotels and at the tourist sites (the guides at the Rova, Ambohimanga and the Lemur parks speak excellent English)

What currency is used in Antananarivo?

Malagasy Ariary (MGA / Ar). Madagascar is one of the most economically challenging countries in Africa — one of the 5 poorest countries in the world by GDP per capita (MGA 1 million ≈ €220). For visitors from Europe: Antananarivo is extraordinarily affordable: a full local restaurant dinner MGA 15,000–30,000 (€3–7), a taxi across the city MGA 5,000–15,000 (€1.20–3.50), a hotel room at a good local hotel MGA 80,000–200,000 (€18–45). Cash (Malagasy Ariary) is the primary payment method in Antananarivo — cards are accepted only at the international hotels and some restaurants. ATMs in Antananarivo dispense Ariary (the Société Générale and BNI Crédit Lyonnais banks have the most reliable ATMs). Note: the exchange rate can fluctuate significantly; carry some Euro cash for emergencies

How do you get around Antananarivo?

Taxi (the "taxi-be" — the yellow-and-green minibus taxis that are the primary public transport of Antananarivo: cheap (MGA 500–1,000 per journey) but slow and crowded). Private taxi (the blue taxis — the individual hire car service (the "taxi particulier"): negotiate the price before entering (there is no meter): a cross-city journey MGA 8,000–20,000 (€2–4.50)). Pousse-pousse (the rickshaw pulled by a man on foot — the most distinctive and culturally specific transport in Antananarivo: the pousse-pousse is used primarily in the lower city (the Basse-Ville) for short journeys with heavy shopping bags). Walking: the upper city (the hills, the Rova, the Barrio Antique) is accessible on foot but the steep hills and the poorly maintained pavements make walking difficult. The city is best seen by hiring a private taxi for the day (MGA 80,000–120,000 (€18–27) for a full day with driver)

How do you get to Antananarivo?

Ivato International Airport (TNR) — 12km north of the city center: taxi to the center (MGA 50,000–100,000 (€11–22), agree the price before entering). Direct flights from: Paris (Air France, Air Madagascar — 11.5 hrs), Réunion (Air Austral, Corsair — 2 hrs, the most important connection for the Indian Ocean diaspora), Mauritius (Air Mauritius — 2.5 hrs), Nairobi (Kenya Airways — 4 hrs), Dubai (flydubai — 8 hrs), Bangkok (Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa). Within Madagascar: Air Madagascar connects Antananarivo to Nosy Be (the primary beach resort island), Toamasina (Tamatave, the east coast port), Mahajanga (the northwest) and Toliara (Tuléar, the south). The road network within Madagascar is in very poor condition — internal travel by road is slow and best done by 4WD vehicle or by the bush taxi (the "taxi-brousse")

What is the tipping etiquette in Antananarivo?

Tipping in Madagascar is expected and important (the wage levels in Madagascar are extremely low — the minimum wage is MGA 200,000/month (approximately €44/month): a tip of MGA 5,000 (€1.10) is equivalent to 2.5% of the monthly minimum wage, making it significant to the recipient). At restaurants: 10–15% of the bill. Tour guides (the Rova, Ambohimanga, Lemur's Park): MGA 20,000–50,000 per person (€4.50–11) for a full day or half-day is generous and expected. Taxi drivers: round up to the nearest 5,000 Ariary. The famadihana ceremony guides: a generous tip (MGA 50,000–100,000 — €11–22) is appropriate as the experience involves a family's intimate religious ceremony

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