Safari to Antsirabe

centred on a remarkable hotel with thermal baths

Set 120 km south of Tana, Antsirabe is a pleasant town on the RN7 highway.

Despite having a population of only around 260,000 people, this is actually the third largest town in Madagascar.

The town is renowned for its temperate climate, superb colonial architecture and the high concentration of pousse-pousse rickshaws.

The town was originally founded by Norwegians in 1872 as a Lutheran Mission Station.

Over the years it’s popularity grew, as visitors came in search of rest and relaxation in the mild climate and to take advantage of the apparently health-giving thermal springs. In the local Malagasy language the name Antsirabe actually means ‘place of much salt’.

During the French period, the colonialists made Antsirabe the administrative capital of the region, spurring a surge of impressive developments in the town.

The thermal baths were formally opened in 1917, followed by the remarkable Hôtel des Thermes (1922), the railway station (1923), and the retirement home for French residents (1934).

Other sights include a large obelisk known as La Stèle de l’Indépendance on the main drag and two public markets, the smaller Antsenakely and the larger Asabotsy.

Antsirabe is often used as a first stop on the very long drive down the RN7 highway from the capital Antananarivo to the remote southwest coast.

The best time to visit Antsirabe is generally considered to be during the May-Sep cool dry season.

The town is situated at an altitude of 1500m/4900’ and experiences a subtropical highland climate.

The May-Sep period represents the cool dry winter season, with peak daytime temperatures around 16C/61F and nighttime temperatures potentially falling below freezing on occasion. Rainfall is extremely light and occasional.

The Nov-Mar period represents a warmer wetter summer season, with peak daytime temperatures around 20C/68F and nighttime temperatures tending to hold up to around 10C/50F. Rain can be quite high during this season, particularly Nov-Mar, peaking at around 250mm/10” per month in Dec-Jan.

Getting there

Antsirabe is often used as a first stop on the very long drive down the RN7 highway from the capital Antananarivo to the remote southwest coast.

Most people stay just one night, but an extra night would provide time for a more leisurely exploration.

a stop on overland safaris heading south