Sambava
Sambava is a town and district on the east coast of Madagascar and the capital of the Sambava and Sava region. The population in 2001 was approximately 40,000.
45% of the population in the Sambava region live from farming and raising livestock. The most common acricultures are vanilla, coconut and rice farming. Sambava, along with Antalaha, is the centre of vanilla production and the source of much of the world's vanilla as Madagascar is the world's leading vanilla exporter.
Recommended activities include a visit to the Lopat vanilla factory to learn about traditional vanilla production procedures, the Center for Learning and Understanding English (CLUE) and the large bazary kely marketplace, especially on Tuesdays.
The town has a stunning beach but sometimes with huge and dangerous waves. North of town there is a very beautiful beach which is usually safer for swimming. Watch for the Nephila spiders in the trees! Possible nearby excursions include a taxi-brousse drive to Nosiarina and from thereon a 5-hour boat ride by pirogue up-river to Amboahangibe. Alternatively, catch a lift with one of the cargo boats used to transport vanilla pickers during the harvest season. Marojejy National Park can also be reached by road from Sambava.
A domestic airport is located approximately 2km from the town centre, with flights connecting Antananarivo, Toamasina (Tamatave), Maroantsetra and Diego Suarez. Scheduled flights are operated by Air Madagascar and Madagasikara Airways.
Places
- Ambodisatrana market place and Taxi-brousse station.
Vanilla exporters
Accommodation
Mimi Hotel or Resto Mimi (16 rooms, 4 bungalows)
Tel: +261 (0)32 0761028 or +261 (0)32 04028855
Email: mimi.hotel.resto@gmail.com
La Paillotte - Chez Jo (4 bungalows)
Tel: +261 (0)20 88 998 94 or +261 (0)32 21 221 21 (mobile)
Las Palmas (6 bungalows, 3 rooms)
Tel: +261 (0)20 8892087 / +261 (0)32 4007372
Email: laspalmas.hotel@gmail.com
www.laspalmas-hotelsambava.com
Hotel l’Ambassadeur - Chez Zoé
Tel: +261 (0)32 0292745 or +261 (0)32 0211347
Email: razafizoe@yahoo.fr
Hotel Orchidea Beach II
Tel: +261 (0)32 0438377
Email: orchideabeach2@yahoo.fr
Florencia
Tel: +261 032 0246621
Hôtel Cantonnais
Tel: N/A
Hôtel Carrefour
Tel: +261 8892060 or +261 8892322
Hôtel Melrose
Tel: +261 33 1457479 or cellphone: +261 (0)32 04572
Hôtel Paradis
Tel: +261 208892297 or +261 324012689
Hôtel la Romance de Jupiter
Tel (cellphone): +261 (0)32 0463389
Hotel Noumea
Tel: +261 032 0263586
Transport
- Daniela Sambava airport transfer and city sightseeing
