Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOURS, GUIDES & NATIONAL PARKS
If you are planning your own itinerary in Madagascar and would like a tour of a
national park, your first stop should not generally be a tour company, but the
local office of Madagascar National Parks (MNP). The park office is a reservoir
of knowledgeable local guides. They can arrange everything you need, from an
hour's walk to a multiday trek, on the spot (although for multiday treks it may
take an hour or two to procure food). They are also much less expensive than
many tour companies, which can charge 200% to 300% more.
If you're travelling independently, organising your own expedition can be
part of the fun of a national park outing and, with the MNP, easy and relatively
inexpensive to accomplish.
SLEEPING
Tsara Guest House
GUESTHOUSE €€
( 75 502 06, 032 05 516 12;
www.tsaraguest.com
; Rue Philibert Tsiranana; d
Ar48,000-175,000) This classy and very popular plantation-style guesthouse brings a wel-
come sophistication to the town. The public spaces are excellent: the reception area, with
a roaring fire and bright-red walls, a glass-walled restaurant serving delicious food (mains
Ar5000 to Ar15,000) and a charming outdoor terrace with great views. The rooms come in
four grades, all of them overpriced, but you're here for the amenities. Advance bookings
recommended. An 8% fee is charged for credit cards.
Hôtel Arinofy
GUESTHOUSE €
( 75 506 38; hotel_arinofy@yahoo.fr; camping Ar12,000, d/tr Ar23,000/40,000) Your
best budget option, this friendly guesthouse in a peaceful enclave has well-kept grounds, a
professional uniformed staff, and a pleasant ambiance. There are a variety of rooms avail-
able, some en suite, and overflow camping (tents provided in the price) when rooms are
full.Thesmallrestaurant servesavarietyofdishes(mainsfromAr5000),andthere'savery
clean kitchen for self-caterers. With a little paint it would be our top choice.
Zomatel 1 & 2
HOTEL €€€
