Blogs from Ambalavao, Madagascar, Africa

As we drove up N7 towards Ranohina large escarpments of sandstone started to appear either side of us. This was Isola National Park. Our official NP guide, Jose, was a member of the local Bara tribe. He spoke excellent English in measured tones and had exceptional knowledge of the local wildlife and traditions. The Isola is a long range of sandstone escarpments created by tectonic forces as Madagascar separated from mainland Africa. There are steep cliffs and gorges with wonderful natural swimming pools below crystal waterfalls. When you climbed up the escarpments there were spectacular vistas. The local Bara people bury their ancestors high up on the cliffs so they are close to the sky. Ancestors are very very important to all Malagasy and many of the local traditions revolve around them. After three days mourning ... read more

iMonday 5 March – from Ranomafana to Isola including Anja Park, Ambalavao After a large breakfast we headed for the fascinating massive markets of Andoha Nasana. As soon as we arrived, after about an hour’s drive south, we could hear the screeching of pig. Several men on the side of the road had a pig on its side looking at his tongue. Apparently, the tongue can show if the pig is health or not. The one that was being examined was not, so he went back into the truck. We walked into the markets, first watching the large fenced area where all the local men, with their long sticks (which was the custom of this region for men to carry white wooden long sticks) were displaying their pigs and wanting to sell or buy them. We ... read more

Geo: -21.6786, 47.1175We were very lucky to find space at our next stop over, the paper making capital of Madagascar. We definitely loved that paper, so pretty! Early the next morning our clever friends had arranged a real special treat for us. A genuine and close-up lemur encounter. We drove up to lots of rocks armed with bananas and then appeared lots of lovely cuddly, absolutely gorgeous ring-tailed lemurs. They took the bananas from our hands and jumped onto our backs, snuggling around our necks. They were so gentle, they didn't even seem to have teeth. Their feet were amazing with little suckers. It was amazing and then just as I was regretting not having brought more bananas with us our guide (who is mentioned in The Lonely Planet so famous!) pointed out the lemurs on ... read more