Chez Haga

Chez Haga is a Malagasy country style guesthouse located at the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga, just 300 metres from the Rova itself, 24km from Antananarivo. The property offers a great view of the surrounding landscapes, facing the hills of Mangabe, Andringitra, Kaloy and Langaina.

Chez Haga offers reasonable priced accommodation in a homely atmosphere. The two-storey building includes five guest rooms, three double and two single rooms, all of which have a different character. The living room and an outside patio functions as the dining, lunch and breakfast area. Shared basic bathroom facilities are located on the second floor.

A large garden include simple wooden tables where guests and day visitors are welcome to unwrap their own picnics. The only rule that applies to visiting picnickers is that drinks are bought from the restaurant.

Chez Haga is a venue of arts and cultur with regular literature, poetry and acoustic events, such as jazz evenings as well as kabary - a Malagasy form of oratory rhetoric once practiced in political debates during the rule of the Imerina Kingdom. Kabary was oppressed during the French colonisation.

The Malagasy host and author, Michelle Rakotoson, has restored and furnished the house tastefully, using embroidered tablecloths made in the village. Traditional tableware and simple authentic Malagasy decor makes the Chez Haga suitable for cultural events.

"Ambohimanga is a wonderful place where you can feel the pulse of the Imerina and understand the history of these hills. In all, Ambohimanga has a meaning: The structure of the village, the location and architecture, the rice paddies and fields, it would be a pity to miss it all. Ambohimanga is worth more than a detour. We must give visitors the opportunity to ask and explore its trails and listen to the heart beat".

-- Michele Rakotoson

Close to the main building stands a smaller building, an over 200 years house, the second oldest in the area after the Rova itself. The building originally functioned as a tribunal. It was thereafter a doctor's practice. The house is currently in a state of restoration.

Michelle also maintains a second property a few kilometres from Ambohimanga. The house offers an alternative to anyone seeking calm and peace nature between the countless hilltops and typical Malagasy villages of the Merina highlands.

At either locations, Michelle and friendly staff are genuinely welcoming guests, whether one is just dropping by for a coffee, lunch, dinner, or a weekend stay including an organised trek and picnic excursion.

The surrounding area offers excellent hiking in all directions and is a good start for learning about the origins of the Merina Kingdom that once ruled and unified the many tribes of Madagascar. In addition to the Rova, the nearby Soavinandriamanitra Culture Park offer various attractions, such as reptiles, chameleons and many small strange creatures unique to Madagascar. There is also a very cute family Sifaka's for the lemur fans.

Chez Haga
Tel: +261(0) 34 16 704 63
E-mail: michele.rakotoson@voila.fr

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