Antoetra & Around

Introducing Antoetra & Around

The cluster of villages southeast of Ambositra is a Unesco World Heritage site inhabited by the Zafimaniry people, a subgroup of the Betsileo who are known for their woodcarving. Many of their homes are works of art, with shutters and walls carved into geometric designs.

The main village is Antoetra, which is linked with other villages higher on the massif by a good system of walking tracks. Sadly, Antoetra has been marred by deforestation and tourism – you can expect bare hillsides, mud and very persistent souvenir sellers.

You’re most likely to enjoy a visit to this area if you do a trek of at least three days, which will allow you to get far enough off the beaten track to experience real village life, watch skilled woodcarvers at work and enjoy the surrounding hills and forests.

All tours must start in Antoetra, where you’ll need to pay a ‘community fee’ of Ar3000 at the mayor’s office in the centre of the village. The best villages to visit are Sakaivo (five hours’ walk from Antoetra), Falairivo, the highest of the villages (two hours from Sakaivo), and Antetezandrota (one hour from Sakaivo).

For all the villages, except Antoetra, you will need to visit with a guide, who can help you communicate with the locals and instruct you in local fady. Guides can be arranged in Ambositra or Antsirabe. Expect to pay around Ar25, 000 per day for an English-speaking guide, a bit less for a French speaker.

The best times to visit are the months of May, June and September. During the rainy season the paths get very muddy and some become impassable.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009