Ambohimanga Travel Guide

 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... 

 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... 

 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... 

 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:  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... 

 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,... 

 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... 

 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,... 

 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... 

 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... 

 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... 

 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...