Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
can see the reptilian giants in all their basking glory, along with various species of lemur,
chameleons and even the rare fossa (striped civet), Madagascar's biggest predator. The dis-
plays on the crocodiles are highly informative: many of the biggest specimens (well over
6m) have been brought to Croc Farm because they were becoming a danger to humans in
their natural habitat.
You can also eat crocodile in the park's
restaurant
(mains Ar15,000). The park's about
3km from the airport. A taxi will cost around Ar10,000 return from Ivato, including an
hour's wait.
Le Manoir Rouge
( 032 05 260 97;
www.manoirrouge.com
; r Ar56,000, without
bathroom Ar33,000-42,000), an amiable backpacker-friendly guesthouse a scant 700m
from the airport, has real charm, with its creaky floorboards, dining room, fireplace and
lovely garden. The varied rooms (most with shared bathroom) sleep up to four people. Pat-
rick, the jovial owner, is a passionate mountain biker and runs brilliant excursions around
the capital every couple of days.
A taxi between the airport and Ivato village will cost Ar5000. A taxi from Ivato village
to Antananarivo costs Ar25,000. Taxi-be route D (Ar400, one hour) links the taxi-brousse
stand behind Gare Soarana in Tana to Ivato bus station near the market.
Ilafy
Originally called Ambohitrahanga, Ilafy was founded around the turn of the 17th century
on a sacred hilltop and was used as a country residence by the Merina royal family. The
woodenresidencewasredesignedinthe1830sbyRanavalonaIandusedasahuntinglodge
by Radama II, whose body was initially buried in a modest tomb on the grounds and then
transferred to the
rova
.
The hunting lodge was reconstructed in 1957, after the original had fallen into disrepair;
it now houses the
Ethnographic Museum
(admission Ar3000; 9am-noon & 2-5pm
Tue-Sun), which illustrates tribal life around Madagascar with exhibits including model
tombs, hunting and fishing tools, modern wooden carvings and information about magic
and religious rituals. A knowledgeable guide will show you around; a tip of Ar2000 to
Ar5000 is appropriate.
Ilafy lies 12km from Antananarivo just east of the road leading to Ambohimanga. You'll
need your own transport to get here.
ANTSAHADINTA
Antsahadinta (Forest of Leeches), founded by King Andriamangarira in 1725, is
one of the most remote and best-preserved hilltop villages around Antananarivo.
