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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- Africa
- Madagascar
- Fianarantsoa
- Ambalavao
Ambalavao
An attractive town of about 30,000 people in the Central
Highlands of Madagascar, Ambalavao is well-known for paper-making,
specialising in the Malagasy
Antaimoropaper, made from papyrus and wild flowers; the
paper is a popular souvenir from Madagascar, as is the silk
produced at a factory in town. Those who travel to Ambavalao find
it a thriving town with colourful buildings framed by
elaborately-carved wooden balconies and tiled roofs. The
twice-weekly Zebu cattle market is an enjoyable spectacle as well,
however many travellers miss its 3am start time. Just outside of
Ambalavao, the Soavita Vineyards offer free wine tastings of
locally-produced Madagascar wines.
Information & Facts
Language
Malagasy is the official language, but French is used in
business and government and is widely spoken in the main cities in
Madagascar. A few people involved in the tourism industry might be
able to speak some English, but it is not widely spoken.
Money
The official currency is the Malagasy ariary (MGA), which has
been reintroduced to replace the Malagasy franc. Coins and notes
display both currencies, but newer notes display the ariary more
prominently than the franc. One ariary is equal to five francs.
Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and official bureaux
de change, but the ariary cannot be changed back into hard
currency. Some banks will only accept US dollars or Euro.
Travellers cheques can be exchanged at most banks and in major
hotels, but some banks refuse to accept them. ATMs are available in
Antananarivo. Most major credit cards are starting to be accepted
in top hotels and major travel agencies in the capital and other
major towns, but have limited usage elsewhere.