Ambositra

A city located in the highlands of Madagascar about 300 km south of Antananarivo, Ambositra is known for being the cradle of wood craftsmanship. A traditional craft today listed as a Unesco world cultural heritage.

Ambositra owes its name (“where there are many castrated zebus”) to the importance of its cattle herds in the 17th and 18th centuries. The region enjoys various assets. In addition to livestock and agriculture (rice, maize, cassava, sugar cane), there are significant mineral resources: copper, gold, iron, lead, nickel, asbestos and limestone. Ambositra is also Madagascar’s main center of production of Toaka Gasy (smuggling alcohol), sugar cane-based rum that makes many Ambositra residents among the richest in Madagascar, outside the capital. In addition to the boutiques with its craftsmen at work, Ambositra offers various circuits for trekking lovers.

From Ambositra, 45 km to the south, we can visit the Zafimaniry villages, historically the real wood sculptors. The treks therefore start from Antoetra , the capital of Zafimaniry and treks can be organized for all tastes; from 4 hours to visit Ifasina (which we do not recommend and do not propose due to lack of authenticity) to 6 hours to visit Sakaivo , the most beautiful village in Zafimaniry, in one day. It is recommended to spend the night in Sakaivo to do the loop circuit. Other treks include more remote and authentic areas such as Faliarivo, Kidodo and Sahanato which, however, require much more organization and at least 2 nights. Circuits however interesting circuits closer to Ambositra.

The circuit of the orange groves starts from the village of Maharivo, 1km south of Ambositra. 150 artisan families live from wood carving in Maharivo. Due to lack of resources, these families still use traditional means, such as the hand tower. A real team effort as the men cut and shape the wood. As for the women, they are responsible for finishing and selling the handicrafts to the tourists who come to the place and to the craft shops in the city centre. The next village is Ivony, 9 km from Ambositra. Ivony is also renowned for its sacred mountain and local farmers who are phenomenal for irrigating the rice terraces. A know-how that shapes the typically Betsileo landscape. Hence the surprising name of the Ivory Amphitheater which is an original and unique landscape in the world with its 170-level rice fields called “KIPAY”.

To give you an idea, in the world to see a similar show you have to go to Indonesia to see a natural amphitheater of only 126 levels. Also worth visiting is the village of Andina, 8 km from Ivony. there is the village of Andina which literally means “where we make the pact”. At the time of King Radama II, the local group leaders in these parts decided to negotiate a non-aggression pact knowing that the Merina army was far superior. The Betsileo of Andina is fervent in agriculture and open to any introduction of new crops, such as citrus or orange trees, coffee cultivation and the introduction of various species of medicinal plants. An essential oil extraction unit exists in Andina. There is also a natural pool and its cave where you can swim. During the orange season, starting in May, you have the opportunity to taste different varieties of citrus in the shade of these trees, under the charming hospitality of the producers.