Things to do in Southern Madagascar
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Azafady Volunteers
Azafady isn't a tour operator but a volunteer organisation working on community tourism projects around Fort Dauphin. It runs several well-equipped camping grounds in village, beach and forest sites in the region and can provide transport, camping equipment and guides to independent travellers who want to experience local life and nature while helping village communities. If you're interested in staying longer in Madagascar, ask the staff about volunteering opportunities.
reviewed
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Mafana Club
For a bit of decadent nightlife, try the disco at Mafana Club. Get your party on at Fort Dauphin's recently pimped-out nightclub that's fast becoming known as the place to get your swerve on. You'll shake to a mix of Malagasy and Western music, especially on busier Friday and Saturday nights. The interior décor is swanky and the deck looks out over Baie Dauphine. Las Vegas features regular Malagasy music and reggae shows.
reviewed
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Chez Georges
This popular local eatery enjoys a laid-back surf atmosphere in a hut overlooking Libanona beach. Catch-of-the-day fish and dressed crab are recurrent specialities. Good things really do come to those who wait. As popular as it is, we suggest getting there early, ordering, then going for a swim while it's prepared.
reviewed
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Fort Flacourt
On Fort Dauphin's northeastern tip is Fort Flacourt, built by the French in 1643. Today, little remains but a few cannons. To see what is left, and to admire the view, you can negotiate a 'fee' with a soldier at the gate who will show you around. Photos of the fort are permitted, but not of the barracks.
reviewed
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Musée Regional de l'Université de Toliara
A few blocks southwest of the market, the Musée Regional de l'Université de Toliara has undergone a recent renovation and features exhibits on local culture, an egg from the pre-historic elephant bird Aepyornis, and other oddities including a freaky ancient mask with real human teeth.
reviewed
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Centre Ecologique de Libanona
The Centre Ecologique de Libanona was established to help educate locals and visiting scientists about environmental issues. The centre is located in Libanona on the cliff overlooking Libanona beach, and makes for an interesting visit if you're interested in environmentalism and speak French.
reviewed
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Melita
This smart restaurant serves European and Malagasy food, and concocts every cocktail imaginable; the list is definitely long. There's a great breeze from the tables at the clean terrace bar. The small menu includes pasta and fish along with a variety of meat dishes.
reviewed
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Ankoba Watersports
To hire surfboards or windsurfers call in to Ankoba Watersports, which can also help organise diving and fishing trips. From late June or early July until about mid-September, dolphins and humpback whales are visible offshore from the beaches around Fort Dauphin.
reviewed
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La Terrace
With great views of Baie Dauphine (Shipwreck Bay), this classy outdoor restaurant/café has excellent meals with views second to none. It has a fully stocked bar catering to your cocktail whims while you stare at the sunset silhouette on the bay.
reviewed
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L'Hacienda
The main nightclubs in town are Zaza and the huge Mexican-style L'Hacienda , which both get going about midnight. Young Malagasy girls and middle-aged vazaha (foreign) men are the main customers at both, but the environment is generally OK.
reviewed
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Zaza
The main nightclubs in town are Zaza and the huge Mexican-style L'Hacienda, which both get going about midnight. Young Malagasy girls and middle-aged vazaha (foreign) men are the main customers at both, but the environment is generally OK.
reviewed
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Louis XIV Pub & Restaurant
This cheerful establishment serves up standard pub grub plus a few specialties on an al fresco patio and is a fun place to meet other travellers or just chill out and listen to live music in the evenings.
reviewed
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Musée de la Mer
Only really worth a visit for sea-lovers, the Musée de la Mer has displays of pickled sea life, coral and shells, including a rare coelacanth. It's near the end of the road that leads to the port.
reviewed
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L'Etoile de Mer
Dishing up good Afghan and Indian food as well as some of the best pizzas in Toliara, this place has been around forever and garnered a good reputation. Try the great fresh seafood.
reviewed
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Safari Laka
A reliable outfit based at Motel Gina with a variety of excursions to the surrounding area, including a good day trip to the rain forest at Enato and the Lokaro Peninsula.
reviewed
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Esterel
Esterel specialises in French cuisine and offers pasta, pizza and seafood as well as delicious chocolate pudding on the attractive open-air terrace.
reviewed
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SHTM Tours
An upmarket company based at Le Dauphin, catering mainly to package tours. SHTM is the only option for visiting Réserve Privée de Berenty.
reviewed
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Las Vegas
A popular local place with Malagasy dishes, seafood and pizzas early in the evenings, and traditional music and dancing later on.
reviewed
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Trajectoire Tours
Specialises in motorbike and quad hire and off-the-beaten-path cycling, trekking and camping excursions in southern Madagascar.
reviewed
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Baie des Galions Beach
The beach along Baie des Galions to the north of Libanona is the place for surfing and windsurfing (late August to May only).
reviewed
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Libanona Beach
The cleanest and prettiest beach in Fort Dauphin itself is at Libanona, on the southwestern side of the peninsula.
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Les Chasseurs
Near the taxi-brousse station, this friendly neighbourhood institution has seafood, grills, pasta and pizzas.
reviewed
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La Bernique
Popular drinking hangouts in town include La Bernique, which has an extensive assortment of malt whiskies.
reviewed
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Les Vedettes d' Anakao Tours
Formerly Compagnie du Sud, has 4WDs for hire and can help get you started on your own adventure.
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Cinema Tropic
French and occasional subtitled English films are shown at Cinema Tropic .
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