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Norali Says: Well, I am listing it as things to do, not that you have to but only as a reminder.Sometime, you would be so "absorbed" by the contemplation of the sights, watching sunset, the imagination triggered by the tales from the guides that you would forget to take pictures. What...
Second, Take time to Reflect...
Norali Says: OK, views from a hill are not your main interest in visiting the Royal compound. Still, the ambience, the serenity, the design of the place would invite you to take time to reflect. Be it while contemplating the views, while watching some sunset, while imagining the extent...
First, the Rock with views....
Norali Says: I guess, as many touring people, your main goal to visit the UNESCO Heritage listed Ambohimanga would not to enjoy the views. Still, if I ever manage to convince you about sitting on some rock as the main object of the roadtrip, then I would be glad. lolAfter your guided...
You don't need a 4wd to go there.
You may hire a bus but I can't advise where to catch it. But I know there are regular lines (not as frequent as in European standards though...).
So either you hire a taxi, a guide or simply a car without any driver... or a bicycle.. or a motorbike (a very cool option!!!).
The road is good though somewhat crowded near the urban center but it becomes so desert as you get North... especially after Sabotsy-Namehana, it's so calm and sparse.
Ambohimanga, well, it's another city, that lives on its reputation of a sacred place... no business center, no supermarkets.. it's a countryside town... We use to say that Ambohimanga is a royal city.. but it's more of a town, really... very serene; just crowded at Ambatomitsangana gate where are the market, the bus station, the administrative bureau, the church.etc..
Anyway, the 20 km road is generally good, more and more sparse as you head North and you would be tempted to speed up, happy to escape the chaotic and messy Tana, its downtown hassle and the traffic jams... and you speed up, like many others.. There: a warning: sometimes, you would see phantom cars as you tackle a turn, you would be surprised by a oxcart you wouldn't expect, another crazy driver driving in the middle of the road, not keeping his right... So watch out that speed and stay focused on the driving though the landscape is so inviting !
How do I know that ? I used to commute 4 times a day on this route for nearly 14 years (Malaza, my home village is 5 km from Ambohimanga).
Updated May 11, 2005
Like anywhere else they sell attractive stalls...
Norali Says: For Ambohimanga being the most visited Malagasy cultural site, you could imagine locals trying to take advantage of that aura... :-)Well, I am quite sure those items are overpriced compared to those sold in Andravoahangy handicraft market. Still, I saw some stalls in the...
Norali Says: Well, there as a reason I snapped this picture: the red Filanjana.The royals used to be transported by Filanjana. It is a chair fixed on two solid rods, topped with an umbrella on which a King or a Queen used to sit and that four men used to weigh/ carry. Just learnt it was...
Wind wind wind on Ambatomiatendro
Norali Says: Just pay attention to the fact that whenever you climb any hill, it can be very windy over there. This something you wouldn't notice within the royal compound of Ambohimanga (probably thanks to the egg & mud enclosure walls). Yet, I happened many times to be too lightly...
Good road to ride on! Watch out the phantom cars !
Norali Says: You don't need a 4wd to go there.You may hire a bus but I can't advise where to catch it. But I know there are regular lines (not as frequent as in European standards though...).So either you hire a taxi, a guide or simply a car without any driver... or a bicycle.. or a...
Norali Says: Views, yes. 360°, check. Aerial, check."King of the world feeling", check.But first, the climb. Short & steep. Great. Silent. Scary. Not dangerous, just risky to climb the pinetree frest underwood there as a solo female. Haven't encountered any danger, any threatening...
Mangabe I - the "doany experience" to have
Norali Says: I must have a special connection with this hill. The first hill ever (Ambohimanga apart) I managed to reach the summit although the highest I climbed. The first doany area where I had a feeling to not be set apart due to my status (I don't believe in the efficiency of...
Ambohimanga surroundings to fill days!
Norali Says: A shame that the royal compound uses to be the only spot locals & most tourists visit. As a local living just 3 miles from Blue Hill, I used to consider the place as one that was always there, that I would be able to visit anytime. Indeed, it is.. but it took me years,...
Ambatondradama I- Doany & Kung Fu fighters refuge
Norali Says: Ambatondradama is lying North of Ambohimanga. 40-min. walk from its bus station. It is home of many doany (pilgrim stations where to "worship" particular kings, officials). Many pilgrims flocking in esp. on good days (days when it's better to "talk" with ancestors & ask for...
Ambatondradama II - a great climb
Norali Says: The climb is interesting for many aspects. Those views over the plains at my feet as I proceeded the climbing.Those multiple shades of green. The lush ginger plants, the green of pinetrees, another green on those rockplants. It was dry winter when I visited Ambatondradama,...
Soavinandriamanitra Primary forest critters
Norali Says: Travelling with kids? After visiting the UNESCO Royal Ambohimanga complex, you should reward their patience with a close contact with lemurs & cute critters in the nearby. This private park is located within the very enclosure walls of Soavinandriamanitra village. Being...
The little Ambatondradama trek & climb
Norali Says: Walking & mountain climbing (not talking about speleology).I used to think you'd need a guide to climb hills around Ambohimanga. In fact, you don't need to. [You may need one for cultural guidance & translation as some of hills there are sacred site, including pilgrimage...
Norali Says: I chose Hiking as a theme though I guess something like Cycling, Mountain climbing would fit too.My only experience of walking there was a walk in the Ambohimanga primitive forest and picking plants and capturing hairy spiders, butterflies, crickets, creepy crawlers.. the...
Ambohimanga: a Hill, a City, a Rova...
Norali Says: .. or "Blue Hill" (1500m) is the most sacred of the twelve (sacred) hills that surround Antananarivo.Located 20-odd kilometers North of Tana, this Royal city is considered as the cradle of Merina kingdom, if not Madagascar kingdom.The city is a fort surrounded by some 10-odd...
Ambohimanga: the Rock, the Primitive forest
Norali Says: Another feature of Ambohimanga: Ambatomiantendro rock.Uses to be a landmark to locate Ambohimanga from afar. It was made easy to spot the hill from Tana's Manjakamiadana Rova. As a King, it was the obvious place to have a bird's eye view on one's territory & to review...
"Nampoina" means "Rice cultivation"
Norali Says: As I use to say: "No better place than the top"This is a view on the massif that surrounds North of Tana. I snapped this picture while visiting the "glass room" of the Queens. In this room, the Queens, esp. Ranavalona II, reported to chill out and sometimes had her work...
Norali Says: Serenity of countryside Had been always fascinated by how living on the foot of this sacred hill would be... It is not a joke but while passing by as a child, I'd always envied people having their home in such a green area though I live just 3 miles from this area. We both...
The King, his Hut and the Rock...on a Blue Hill
For me, most important building in the compound, Nampoina's hut The HUT - because it's so simple and modest given the status and achievements this great King of the 17th century; - because it's a...
Build your own Ambohimanga page
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