Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOURS
Tany Mena Tours
CULTURAL TOUR
( 22 326 27;
www.tanymenatours.com
;
Ave de l'Indépendance) This agency specialises
in sustainable tourism and offers highly original tours around Antananarivo that combine
historical highlights with cultural experiences: visits of local villages or traditional artisan
workshops, attending Famadihana ceremonies etc (€37 per person for a group of three to
five people). Most tours are led by trained historians or anthropologists (some English-
speaking). Two-day trips in the surrounding highlands are also offered.
Ortana
GUIDED TOUR
(
www.tourisme-antananarivo.com
;
22 270 51; Escalier Ravanalona I) This is the best
place to go to if you would like a guide to visit historical sites around Tana such as the
Rova and Musée Andafivaratra, Ambohimanga, Ilafy etc. Most guides are knowledgeable
and many speak English and/or Italian as well as French. The office also organises one-
to three-hour group walks around the Haute-Ville on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays
(Ar5000 to Ar20,000 per person depending on the circuit and the number of people).
SLEEPING
Tana is one place in Madagascar where it is worth upping your budget if possible: the
budget and midrange categories are remarkable by their mediocrity (with a couple of not-
able exceptions) whereas the top-end options are, on the whole, excellent value. A number
of hotels offer 'day rates', which allow guests to keep their room until early evening as
many flights to Europe leave late at night.
Hôtel Sakamanga
BOUTIQUE HOTEL €€€
( 22 358 09;
www.sakamanga.com
; Rue Andrianary Ratianarivo; d Ar50,000-135,000;
) A perennial favourite, the Sakamanga offers fantastic accommodation for both
midrange and top-end travellers setting store by a friendly atmosphere, varied rooms, char-
acter decor and beyond-comprehensive services. The intriguingly mazy layout leads to
a garden and cafe-bar-library, with enough artefacts in the corridors to open a museum.
Reserve well in advance, as it is almost always full.
