"Three weeks in the highlands of Madagascar" Top 5 Page for this destination Antananarivo by KalamazooJohn

We spent two weeks in Tana, a group of 14, most working in hospitals. It is a great city for walking in the daytime, and you will be pestered by street vendors, but nothing threatening. There are loads of things to see, but two weeks here, and you have done everything and will be ready to leave.
The Croc Farm and the zoo were both very great learning experiences. When you then go into country areas, you have a better idea of what to look for. Hire an official guide at the zoo. They can tell you a lot and will be fun comrads on your zoo visit.
City restaurants are mostly very western, and the food is usually very good. You have to be aware of e-coli bacteria in water and dairy, but you can avoid trouble by eating in clean places and drinking the beer. After the leadership crisis of several years ago, Tana is now a happy and bustling city. The new president is apparently honest and has a lot of public support. Do not fear a trip to Antananarivo.

Motor traffic is a little light, but we did come across these Zebu powered wagons.

Homes are on the hills, with the valleys taken for rice production, giving you a big city with a vast amount of open space.

• Pros:It's nothing like home; what a get away trip.
• Cons:can't drink the water
• In a nutshell:They do remarkably well with what they have to work with.