Antsirabe

Antsirabe is the third largest city in Madagascar and the capital of the Vakinankaratra region. The mostly Betsileo population of the city numbers approximately 183,000. The city was founded in 1872 by Norwegian missionaries who were attracted by the cool climate and healing properties of the many thermal springs and minerals in the area. The city is sometimes nicknamed "Vichy Malgache" and the name Antsirabe literally means "the place of much salt".

Antsirabe is an agricultural and industrial centre of Madagascar. Industries include brewing, flour, milk processing, oil, textiles and cigarette manufacturing. The city is the location of the STAR brewery's headquarter, the major beer brand in Madagascar.

Agricultural produce of the area include rice, vegetables and fruits, and due to the cool climate, apples, pears, plums and other temperate fruit can be grown in the region.

At an altitude of about 1,500 metres, Antsirabe is the coolest city in Madagascar, with winter temperatures between May and September usually dropping to zero degrees Celsius.

There is an airfield but it is only in use by private planes. A railway connects Antsirabe with Antananarivo, but which is only used by freight trains. A car ride from Antananarivo takes 3-4 hours.

Activities

• Visit the Saturday market (souvenir shopping)
• Sightseeing by rickshaw (Anstirabe is the pousse-pousse capital of Madagasar)
• Visit the STAR Brewery (Tuesday to Thursday)

Local tour operators

ORTVA (the regional tourist office)
Tel: +261 (0)32 0718642
Email etravel@wanadoo.mg

Roadhouse Voyages
Tel: +261 (0)44 49226
Email: roadhouse@roadhouse-voyages.com
Website: roadhouse-voyages.com

Madagascar Tropic Voyage
Contact: RABEZANDRY Lantoarinoro
Lot 1126H 219
Ampahatra Trivatrinikamo
Antsirabe
Tel: +261 (0)32 44 43446
Email: madatropic.voyages@gmail.com Skype: madatropic.voyage2 <skype style="smallicon" action="call">madatropic.voyage2</skype>
Website: madagascar-tropic-voyage.com

Antsirabe hotels

Arotel (45 rooms & 2 apartments) Rue Jean Ralaimongo BP 303, Antsirabe 101 Tel: +261 20 44 48120 Email: arotel.inn@moov.mg Hôtel des Thermes (26 club rooms and 3 suites) Place de l'Indépendance Tel: +261 (0)20 4448761 Email: sht@moov.mg Le Trianon (6 rooms) Tel: +261 (0)44 05140 Email: letrianon@wanadoo.mg Résidence Camélia (10 rooms) Tel: +261 (0)44 48844 Email: camelia@simicro.mg Avana Hotel (27 rooms) Note: 2km outsite city centre, close to north taxi-brousse station. Tel: +261 (0)44 49299 Email: N/A Imperial Hotel (24 rooms) Grande Avenue Tel: +261 (0)44 48333 Email: imperialhotel@wanadoo.mg Villa Nirina (5 rooms) Route d'Andranobe Tel: +261 (0)44 48597 Email: zanoa@blueline.mg Hôtel Hasina (31 rooms) Tel: +261 (0)44 48556 Email: hotelhasina@yahoo.fr Prima Guest House (4 rooms) Route d'Antananarivo Tel: +261 (0)44 49302 Email: rest.manambina@yahoo.fr Villa Salemako (5 rooms) Tel: +261 (0)44 49588 Email: N/A Hôtel Diamant (60 rooms) 110 Route d'Andranobe Tel: +261 (0)44 48840 Email: diamant@madawel.com Download: Rates 2009 Le Bouzou Shanti (10 rooms) Mahafaly, Vatofotsy (close to north taxi-brousse station). Tel: 44 932 44 Email: N/A Green Park (8 rooms) Tsarasaotra Tel: +261 (0)44 05190 Email: N/A Hôtel Soafytel (15 rooms) Avenue Ralaimongo Tel: +261 (0)44 48055 Email: N/A

Hôtel Niavo (10 rooms) Rue Rakotondrainibe Daniel Tel: +261 (0)44 484 67 Email: N/A La Joie (6 rooms) Rue Duplex, Antsenankely Tel: +261 (0)44 96247 Email: N/A Akory Aby (5 rooms) Miaramasoandro Tel: +261 (0)33 1284510 Email akoryaby@messagerie.net Villa d'Eau (10 rooms) Rue Ralaimongo Tel: +261 (0)44 49970 Email: villedeau@simicro.mg Au Geranium (8 rooms) Route du Vélodrome Tel: +261 (0)44 49731 Email: N/A Hôtel Volavita (20 rooms) Route d'Antananarivo Tel: +261 (0)44 48864 Email: N/A Maharitafo (5 rooms) Rue Rakondraibe Daniel Tel: +261 (0)44 05215 Email: N/A Pension de Famille Nitricia (8 rooms) Miaramasoandro Tel: +261 (0)44 43902 Email: N/A Nouveau Synchro Pub (?? rooms) Rue Pastuer Antsenakely Tel: +261 (0)44 96224 Nouveau Baobab (8 rooms) Rue Jean Ralaimongo Tel: +261 (0)44 48393 Email: N/A Manoro Hotel (10 rooms) Ambavahadimangatsiaka Tel: +261 (0)44 91824 Email: edm@moov.mg Cercle Mess Mixte (29 rooms) Av Maréchal Foch Tel: +261 (0)44 48366 Email: N/A Hôtel Le Retrait (13 rooms) Tre d'Andranomadio Tel: +261 (0)44 05029 Email: N/A Flower Palace Hotel Avenue de l'indépendance Tel: +261 (0)34 14 870 01 Email: flowerpalace@hotmail.fr

Shops

• La Chocolatière

Attractions surrounding Antsirabe

• Lake Andraikiba (7km from Antsirabe)
• Tritriva (17km from Antsirabe)
• Spa Betafo (22km Antsirabe)
• Mount Ibity (2,255 metres, 30km south of Antsirabe)

Additional information

• Antsirabe photos