Top Things to do in Fianarantsoa Province
Things to do in Fianarantsoa Province, Fianarantsoa Province: The Best Nature & Parks
Discover the best top things to do in Fianarantsoa Province, Madagascar including Anja Reserve, Canal des Pangalanes, Parc National de l'Andringitra, Centre ValBio Research Campus, Black pool, Il trekking del Camaleonte, Natural pool, Ranomafana National Park, Blue pool, Ranomafana Arboretum.
Restaurants in Fianarantsoa Province
1. Anja Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 328 reviews
Reviewed By PaulAndGijs - Den Bosch, The Netherlands
Must visit community run reserve. 6 communities decided to change their ways of making a living dramatically with great results. From hunting ringtail maki’s and cutting trees to make a bit of money to full-fill basic subsistence needs, they decided to create the nature reserve. The number of ring tails increased from 20 to over 400 now in their best fit habitat. During the 2 hour hike you’ll meet maki’s, cameleons snd more. The landscape is gorgeous.
2. Canal des Pangalanes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 149 reviews
Reviewed By 840hollyk - Madagascar, null
There are several different ways to see the Pangalanes but all of them will enable you to see the diversity that the canal has to offer. From fishing villages, spice trails, to women doing their daily washing, the canal is a different world from the rest of madagascar and deserves a visit.
3. Parc National de l'Andringitra
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 125 reviews
Reviewed By bendeus44
Travelled in Madagascar for a month, and the Andringitra was absolutely one of the best things I discovered in the country. Stunning landscape, amazing hiking paths and a close connection to nature. In comparison to Ranomafana and Isalo for instance, this never felt like a park to me, which I truly loved. With a limited budget background, I decided to stay 3 days, of which one day truly in the park (45k ariary entrance fee each day you're in). The other days were a walk back and forth from Vohitsaoka to the tiny village of Antambohobe, where I spent the nights with my guide and the local villagers (Vohitsoaka is reachable by taxibrousse from Ambalavao and costs way less than hiring a 4x4 to the alternative 'main entrance' of the park. If you have the money though, very recommendable to take this option as well). The villagers over there were incredibly kind and generous in a very honest and joyful manner, which is unfortunately not so often the case in this country... Anyway, also had an extremely good guide, named Tovo from Marcellin Guide Ambalavao, an officially recognised guide instance. He's a regional guide, but he's working in close connection to the local villager guides in the Andringitra area (taking such a local guide is compulsory once entering the park). He is very well organised and pays 100% attention to you as a visitor, but also to the sustainability of the local community. Really felt like the money I paid for guidance, food, etc. was very thoughtfully used to back the local, still very poor villagers. Don't know about the performance of other guides, but would never want to change guidance anymore going here. Totally up to you personally, but [email protected] if you would be interested. Anyway, in short, what a time!
4. Centre ValBio Research Campus
5. Black pool
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By Jht38
My group and I trekked for about an hour from a campsite to get here, the walk itself was interesting and made the outcome even more special. There were fewer tourists crowding this particular pool in comparison to the blue pool, making this one slightly more peaceful and refreshing. Perfect for a dive and a swim, make sure to keep an eye of your belongings when in the water. Worth the visit!
6. Il trekking del Camaleonte
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By KatrienS955 - Ghent, Belgium
This is a great day hike to do, start early morning to try beat the heat a bit. The walk goes through the sacred forest, where there is a small natural pool, ideal place for picknick. The other way is down (or in our case up) the steeper and bare slope of the mountain. From some angles the top of the rock really look like a chameleon, hence the name. Throughout the hike, which is not too difficult, one has stunning views of the surrounding valley. Once on top you also have great views over the other valley and the Tsaranora mountain, for which there is a complicated legend.
7. Natural pool
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By KF804 - Asheboro, United States
We stopped here to cool off during our trek around Tsaranoro Valley. It was very relaxing to soak our feet and sit in the shade. We watched the local children play in the water before we went for lunch at the Tsarasoa Hotel. Nice!
8. Ranomafana National Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 430 reviews
Reviewed By 798nh - Newton Le Willows, United Kingdom
Got there early on the morning (7am) and saw 4 different types of lemur - golden bamboo, red fronted brown, red bellied and black and white ruffed, as well as spiders, snakes and chameleons. The paths are slippy but easy to walk on but if you go off track it is a rainforest with thick undergrowth, and very slippy ground - good hiking trainers are a must - and you must have reasonable fitness as it is tough climbing. You get spectacularly great views from the viewing platform. Took 5 hours and saw a lot of wildlife.
9. Blue pool
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By KeithR903 - Hong Kong, China
This pool is well worth the walk - we did it as part of a round trip in the National Park - which took pretty much all day... Good for a refreshing swim though!
10. Ranomafana Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By 771helenh
We chose to visit this arboretum instead of another interesting but very hot and humid trek in the rain forest and we made the right decision as the forest was full of tourists and we would have had to walk well beyond our capabilities to get to see any lemurs before large groups gathered. In contrast we were the only 2 visitors in the arboretum and had a very helpful guide (Christof) for a 90 minute guided tour. There is a great collection of trees which is still being added to and many chameleons. Views over the river are good. As an added bonus it is a community project with entrance fees being reinvested in it. Thoroughly recommended.
