MADAGASCAR - RN7 - DAY 3 : de ANTSIRABE à AMBOSITRA : LA GRANDE ROUE MAGIQUE !

MADAGASCAR - RN7 - DAY 3: From ANTSIRABE to AMBOSITRA: THE MAGIC FERRIS WHEEL! For two weeks, we explored Madagascar on a long journey of nearly 1,000 kilometers along the famous National Route 7, from Antananarivo (Tana) to Tulear. In eleven days of road-tripping, we traversed an island of a thousand faces, where each stop revealed new landscapes, new encounters, and new emotions. From the moment we left Antananarivo, the traffic proved intense, sometimes chaotic, amidst a constant stream of cars, bush taxis, and vehicles often overloaded beyond reason. On the bumpy roads and rutted tracks, our own vehicle was not spared the vagaries of travel: a breakdown reminded us that Madagascar is a journey that must be earned. Our route took us to Antsirabé, then on to the mysterious Lake Tritriva, where our first hike allowed us to admire this volcanic site steeped in legend. Further south, in Ambositra, the heart of the Zafimaniry region, and then in Antoetra, we discovered villages nestled in the highlands and hiked amidst breathtaking landscapes. As the kilometers passed, the vegetation gradually changed. The verdant rice paddies of the highlands slowly gave way to savannas, then to the arid landscapes of the south. This slow and dramatic transformation gave the impression of crossing several countries in a single trip. Isalo National Park was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our journey. Hikes through canyons and rocky massifs offered breathtaking panoramas. Two swims in natural pools, nestled among the rocks, provided welcome refreshment under the Malagasy sun. The sunsets over these stark, mineral landscapes will remain among the most beautiful memories of the trip. In Ambalavao and Anja National Park, we observed numerous lemurs in their natural habitat, sometimes just a few meters away. Throughout our journey, chameleons, birds, and other endemic species reminded us of the extraordinary richness of Malagasy wildlife. Further south, majestic baobabs stood like silent sentinels in the landscape. In Sakaraha, then in Tulear and Ifaty, the atmosphere changed again: drier heat, thorny vegetation, and the proximity of the ocean. At the Antsokay Arboretum, a final walk allowed us to discover the unique flora of southern Madagascar. And just south of Tulear, we crossed a symbolic landmark: the Tropic of Capricorn. All along the way, Madagascar offered us a constant spectacle: zebu rodeos, colorful markets, horse-drawn carts mingling with antique Renault 4Ls or Peugeot 404s over half a century old, still valiantly on the road. Life there seems fast-paced, sometimes frenetic, but always vibrant. We were particularly struck by the warm welcome and kindness of the locals. Behind the smiles, however, lies a poverty that is often striking and sometimes heartbreaking. Despite the daily hardships, it is the resilience of the Malagasy people that impresses the most: a remarkable ability to move forward, to adapt, and to keep smiling. At the end of these two weeks, we leave with our heads full of images: unforgettable landscapes, flamboyant sunsets, lemurs leaping between the rocks, improbable roads, and genuine encounters. Madagascar is a land of contrasts, both rugged and magnificent, where the beauty of nature exists alongside the realities of a still fragile development. A journey that leaves no one unmoved. ADRHCJ3CIZHSKO0E ZAOM4OWBFIQRKRQO