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. A domestic airport operated by Air Madagascar is located approximately 2km from town, with flights connecting Antananarivo, Tamatave, Maroantsetra and Diego Suarez.
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.
Accommodation
Chez l'Ambassadeur
Tel: (cellphone): +261 (0)32 0292745 or +261 (0)32 0211347
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 Orchidea Beach II
Tel: +261 88 92324 or cellphone: +261 (0)32 0438377
Email: orchideabeach2@wanadoo.mg
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
Las Palmas
Tel: +261 208892087 / +261 324007372
Email: laspalmas.hotel@gmail.com or
las.palmas@laposte.net
