Toamasina and the Northeast - Madagascar - page 482

builtintheearly19thcenturybytheMerinagovernorofthetown,Rafaralahy,shortlyafter
the Merina conquest of the east coast. The entry fee is 3,000Ar and guided tours are avail-
able (in French).
This beach resort with calm waters is becoming popular with the Malagasy as well as
vazaha , and there's a growing number of places to stay.
Where to stay and eat
Manda Beach (42 rooms) 57 220 00; m 033 15 220 00/034 11 220 00; f 57 220 02;
e [e-mail] ; www.mandabeach-hotel.com . Good accommodation located on
the Toamasina side of town. Bungalows & safe swimming. €€€
Grand Bleu (8 bungalows & 3 rooms) 57 220 06; m 032 02 311 61;
e [e-mail] ; www.grandbleu-tamatave.com . En-suite beachfront accommod-
ation. €€€
Au Gentil Pêcheur Beachfront, next to Manda Beach. Less expensive bungalows &
excellent food. €€
Foulpointe This restaurant is receiving rave reviews.
Analalava Forest This is a 200ha fragment of low-elevation humid forest 7km southwest
of Mahavelona. Although small and degraded, it is of high conservation importance, being
the only forest remaining in the area and supporting a rich biodiversity. It has started to
open up to ecotourism so is worth checking out.
MAHAMBO A lovely beach resort with safe swimming (but nasty sandflies, called moka
fohy ), offering a more tranquil alternative to Mahavelona.
Where to stay and eat
Pirogue (10 bungalows & 6 rooms) 57 301 71; m 033 08 768 10/18;
e [e-mail] ; www.pirogue-hotel.com . Wonderful bungalows to suit a broad
range of budgets, very tastefully decorated with all sorts of artisanal products & minerals.
Fishing & boat trips. €€€-
Dola (20 bungalows) 57 331 01/302 35; m 032 02 396 14; e hotel-
[e-mail] ; http://hoteledola.site.voila.fr . Small windowless bungalows.
€€€
Orchidées (6 bungalows) Good-value dbl & family rooms in lovely location. €€
Ylang-Ylang 5733100/30008; e [e-mail] .Averynicebungalowcom-
plex set in a quiet garden. Bungalows for up to 6 people; all with hot water. Restaurant has
good cheap food. €€