Attractions in Madagascar
Thursday, January 12th, 2012
Over time Madagascar has gradually become a famous holiday destination among tourists with hundreds of holiday makers jetting onto the island to enjoy the true African tranquil,, beauty and nature. The country’s good cultural and historic past has allured several people into visiting the islands. Listed below are some of the prominent tourist attractions in Madagascar that are most enjoyed by visitors and worth visiting.
Antananarivo
This is the capital city of Madagascar and it is commonly referred to as Tana by the local residents. This capital unlike many in the world is comprised of several winding cobbled streets with small houses having wooden balconies plus shattered windows. The city lies on several hills which give it a cool highland locale. The city has very lively markets, numerous historic sites, architecture and most of all are the very hospitable people. The city is very ideal for trekking with spectacular views of the sunset over the backdrop hills.
The Queen’s Palace or Manjakamiadana
The Queen’s palace is a section of the enormous royal complex that was constructed for Queen Ranavolana back in the seventeenth century. Unfortunately, little of the palace’s previous beauty is seen today following the large fire that gutted the place in 1995 destroying most of the furniture. What remained was an empty hall of the queen’s palace, part of the tombs, a church and a stone gateway. Today reconstructions are still in progress although the place remains opened to the public at no charge.
The Ranomafana Hot Springs
these hot springs can be accessed by the bridge and seen near the previous Hotel Station. The baths are somewhat rural in style despite the magnificent setting which makes the facility rather a comfy place. The springs are popular for their naturally flowing mineral water which has a lot of medical importances such as helping with rheumatism, asthma and many others. Adjacent to the springs is a stunning swimming pool in which you can deep or float as you admire the scenic neighborhood.
Tsimbazaza Zoo plus the Botanical Gardens
A few kilometers from the capital Antananarivo lay the beautiful gardens together with the impressive Zoo which have attracted some of the largest numbers of tourist on the Island. In the zoo you will majorly find indigenous animals like the aye ayes, lemurs and the fossas. The botanical garden has is rich with various local plants and a very rich birdlife which make it a perfect spot for bird watchers. The place is opened daily from 9am to 5pm and entrance is at an affordable charge.
Antananarivo Crocodile Farm
This farm is a lake of hundreds of various sized crocodiles all living in the same environment. It is offers a very scenic view especially for first timers. Making a visit during the feeding hours which is at midday; will allow you to see a lot of activity among these crocodiles. This is a good place to visit particularly for individual who want to learn more about the history of crocodiles on this island. There is a gift shop and a wonderful restaurant in this place and it is opened daily from 9am to 5pm with admission at an affordable charge.