Tamatave or Toamasina: Exploring Madagascar’s East Coast

Tamatave or Toamasina, the port city in Madagascar

Tamatave, the second largest city in Madagascar, is a city with many facets. Located in the eastern part of the island, Tamatave is home to the largest port on the island. Once populated by fishermen, Tamatave is now a tourist attraction where foreigners and locals alike can discover the best that the city has to offer.

Located about 370 km from Antananarivo, there are many transportation options that allow access to Tamatave. The long distances between Antananarivo and Tamatave can also be covered by car rental or motorcycle. Additionally, it is the best way to simultaneously discover the beauty of the landscapes and the culture of Madagascar.

Discover all the wealth that the country has to offer in this part of the island.

Discovering on the way to Tamatave

To reach this famous eastern port city, you must drive north from Antananarivo on the RN2. However, the road leading to Tamatave is rich in villages and towns that are also worth a detour.

Meeting with the cheese makers of Ambatomanga

It is also the RN2 that leads to the mythical village of Ambatomanga. A detour to this village, famous for its cheese, allows you to taste the soft flavor of the local cheese. Costs. Just 18 km away from Antananarivo, Ambatomanga is the birthplace of pure cheese. The Fi cheese factory, in existence for over 30 years, is the leading brand for dairy products in this region. A visit to the factory allows you to learn more about the preparation of the famous Ambatomanga cheese and participate in a tasting.

Moramanga and its rainforests

Moramanga is located 3 hours by car from Antananarivo and is the first city you will pass through before reaching Tamatave. You will arrive in Moramanga to discover the rainforests. Discover the Alaotra Lake,

Andasibe, or the city of Ambatondrazaka from the city. To reach the Andasibe National Park, simply continue on RN2 and drive about 25 km from Moramanga. A detour to the left on the same road will take you to the Mitsinjo Reserve or the VOIMMA Park.

Brickaville and its tropical fruits

If you continue on RN2, you will reach the next town after Moramanga. Brickaville is known for its abundance of fruits. In the country’s fruit-growing region, you have the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of tropical fruits. Enjoy tasting delicious fruits according to the season: mangoes, lychees, bananas, sugarcane, and many others.

If you are adventurous, Brickaville also offers many places suitable for trekking and hiking.

Discover Tamatave in all its glory

The eastern region of Madagascar is known for the density of its forests. This also explains the hot and rainy climate all year round. However, Tamatave has a lot to offer to its visitors, with many activities waiting for you.

A pirogue ride

As a port city, Tamatave offers you the opportunity to cross the Pangalanes Canal with a pirogue. This ride allows you to discover the Palmarium Reserve. During your trip, you can observe various species of lemurs and other wildlife. A walk along the canal allows you to appreciate the beauty of the city and the small islands in the surrounding area.

Visiting Ivoloina Park

Upon arriving in Tamatave, you will appreciate the beauty of the city, often referred to as the “Madagascan Venice”. It is important to note that Tamatave is often subject to light rain, but the sun is present most of the time.

Located in the east of the island is the Ivoloina Park. To get there, you will need to drive another 12 km north of Tamatave. The road leading to the park is accessible all year round. The Ivoloina Park in Madagascar’s East offers the opportunity to admire the beauty of the landscape up close, with the possibility to explore by motorcycle. The park is open to the public until 5 pm and can be visited with or without a guide. Visitors will have the chance to discover the famous lemurs of Madagascar, with 13 different species to be found in captivity or in the wild. In addition to lemurs, the park is also home to chameleons and radiata and pryxis turtles. Don’t miss the chance to visit the Plum Island lighthouse for a unique experience. The lighthouse of Africa, standing at almost 60 meters high, is one of the many tourist attractions of Tamatave. To get there, you must take a 1 hour and 30 minute crossing towards the island of Alagnagna in the northwest of Tamatave. In addition to the lighthouse, you can also visit the island and its natural riches.

Discovering Lychee on a Tour

Tamatave is known as the main lychee producer in Madagascar. While there, you can participate in tours about the cultivation and production of this exotic fruit. In particular, you can visit the island and its natural riches.

November is an interesting month for the lychee industry. Recognizing the importance of lychee production in the region, one of the exporters decided to combine this sector with tourism. According to this exporter named Faly Rasaminana, both national and international tourists are interested in learning about the process this fruit goes through before reaching their plates. Hence the idea of a special tour around lychee, taking tourists from the cultivation fields to the processing facility, with the opportunity to taste the fruits and their preparations. The Regional Tourism Office of Toamasina supports the introduction of this new route, which will undoubtedly benefit the company. Faly Export will benefit from this innovative approach, which will also enhance the image of the entire lychee sector. This special lychee tour lasts half a day, making it a convenient option for tourists with limited time to spare.