Au Bois Vert is a charming small hotel located in a peaceful forest setting just outside Madagascar's capital Antananarivo. Comfortable accommodation and a lovely swimming pool make Au Bois Vert a great escape from the bustle of Antananarivo.
Madagascar is one of the most unique and diverse destinations in the Indian Ocean with amazing wildlife encounters on offer, scenery like no other and some of the most exceptional beaches to be found in this part of the world. It is incredibly important to travel to Madagascar with an open mind and realistic expectations, so that you make the most of your time here and don’t come home feeling disappointed. Here we give our rundown on how to prepare and what to expect.
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Antananarivo is Madagascar’s capital and situated almost centrally in the country, its name literally means ‘city of a thousand’ as it is thought that during the reign of the Merina kingdom a thousand warriors guarded it. Tana is very much a hub for flights between different parts of the country, but is still worth exploring in its own right, rather than just treating it as a convenient overnight stop.
With its colonial charm and colourful buildings, Tana is an enticing city, although to first-time visitors can feel frenetic with the chaotic traffic and obvious poverty. The city is built across 12 sacred hills with a difference of 200m between its lowest and highest points, with the ruins of the queen’s palace, or rova, dominating the skyline. Although the palace was destroyed by fire, it is still possible to visit the grounds as well as the royal tombs and bath which is worthwhile. Another cultural experience is a hands-on traditional Malagasy cooking class which is the perfect way to interact with locals and sample the island’s cuisine. One of the greatest charms of Antananarivo is the strong feeling of it being a cultural melting pot thanks to the island’s historical ties to France, the African mainland and Asia. The outskirts of town are a patchwork of paddy fields with zebu and carts and taxi-brousses jostling for position, providing a gloriously exotic charm.