Madagascar for 2 weeks in November - looking for tips

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esquandolas
esquandolas

Greetings,

I am heading to Madagascar for 2 weeks in November -- my route will take me from Tana out to Île Sainte-Marie and then back. My special interests include scuba diving and music. I don't think there are any particular 'must see' varieties of plant or animal on my list, but those sifakas are pretty darn cool. I certainly want to spend time in the parks near Andasibe. I would jump at opportunities to surf, go caving (if these are options along said route), and to travel by rail for some of the route (the Micheline or otherwise).

Also worth noting is that I'll likely be traveling solo. As such, I'll be more inclined to move towards the kinds of places where I might meet other travelers rather than the kinds of places where honeymooners and romantic couples might typically gravitate.

So given this info, if anyone might have any recommendations or tips, I'd be grateful.

Some possible ideas:

  • Recommended stops along the route to Île Sainte-Marie
  • Recommended dive shops / dive spots off Île Sainte-Marie, and/or along the coast leading up to the Ile.
  • Places to avoid
  • Recommended accommodation in Tana or anywhere along the route to Île Sainte-Marie
  • Recommended food/restaurants in Tana or along the same route
  • Where I can find (or find out about) live music in Tana or elsewhere... Related to this, where can I find a valiha?
  • Your favourite thing to do in/around Tana when you have a few days off

Thanks so much for whatever tips you folks may be able to offer. :)

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anonymous
anonymous

Lol I already replied to this once but my browser crashed and I lost it so this one will be quick.

Mahambo is the surf spot on the east coast near Tamatave. If you google surf mahambo you will find some things I think. Diving on the east coast is not as popular as it is on the reefs of the west coast so I am not sure what you will find.

Music in Tana, go to Hotel Le Glacier, they have live music every night, and they put posters on the windows of who is playing and when, with most popular bands playing Friday and Saturday. It can be quite a crush in there, be careful of what is in your pockets and your mobile phone in there. Also buy a newspaper such as Midi or Le Tribune for daily info about who is playing elsewhere. Some venues require you to eat in their restaurant to see the show.

Valiha sellers are everywhere, but if one of them does not find you, try the street outside Air Madagascar, outside the Buffet du Jardin, outside Sakamanga hotel. Bargain hard.

Oh, and about rail, I think the Micheline can only be booked privately nowadays, you need to take the whole train, but you can contact Madarail on their website to get up to date info about which routes are presently running. http://www.madarail.mg/

Edited by: dadamanga to add madarail link

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