Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Every seven years, mass circumcision ceremonies known as
sambatra
are performed in
the area. The next is due around October 2014.
GETTING THERE AND AWAY
Mananjary is usually reached by road from Rano-
mafana. There are also weekly Air Mad flights connecting it with Tana and Farafangana.
Where to stay and eat
Plantation(VahilyLodge)
(11 bungalows) 72 090 01;
m
033 04 630 87/032 53 520
67;
e
laplantation@moov.mg
.
A resort hotel on the edge of town near the airport. Classy
restaurant, swimming pool & attractive bungalows. The hotel also runs a spice business;
tours of the fruit plantation can be arranged.
Jardin de la Mer
(7 bungalows) 72 092 70. Comfy en-suite sgl & twin beach bun-
galows, swimming pool & restaurant. €€€
Sorafahotel
(9 rooms & 5 bungalows) Bd Maritime; 72 092 01. Pleasant beach bun-
galows, some with verandas. Sgl & dbl rooms, pool & top restaurant with great pizza. €€€
Yvonna
m 032 02 049 93. Good-value simple bungalows. €€
ChezStenny
(2 rooms & 3 bungalows) 72 942 66. Small, friendly guesthouse. Cold
water only. €
Ideal
Next to the cathedral. Cold water only. €
Bons Amis
Nr JIRAMA. Cold water only. €
Route des Epices
Best restaurant in town. On R25, just before the cathedral. Also runs
birding tours.
Grillion
Nr cathedral. Good-value food.
MANAKARA
This town at the end of the line is experiencing a surge of popularity.
Shaded by filao trees, the path running between the ex-colonial buildings and the ocean
makes the waterfront a very attractive part of town. Plentiful
pousse-pousses
provide the
best means of getting around, especially to the
taxi-brousse
station which is 2km north of
the centre.
YoushouldnotswiminManakarabecauseofdangerouscurrentsandsharks.Butthesea
is rewarding anyway: from the broad beach you can watch the captivating waves breaking
on the reef 450m offshore.
Gettingthereandaway
ManakaraistheendoftherailwayjourneyfromFianarantsoa.At
the time of writing trains depart for Fianar every morning except Tuesday and Saturday at
06.45. The ticket office at the station is open for reservations Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday
13.30-17.30. Full details of this rail route are on
Click Here
.
