Fianarantsoa
Fianarantsoa
Fianarantsoa is the largest city in southern Madagascar and a good place to stop between Ranomafana and Isalo. From the surrounding hills, you get wide views over the city’s red rooftops and winding streets.
Covered on this page:
Things to do
- Wander through the Old Town — The upper town is full of charm, with narrow streets, colourful houses and photogenic corners. It’s great for a short walk or a coffee stop.
- Support local kids —You’ll often meet children selling handmade postcards. These are school projects to earn a little pocket money. Feel free to support them with a small purchase.
To: Ambalavao / Tsaranoro
Distance & time
To Ambalavao: 65 km | approx. 2 hours
To Tsaranoro: 115 km | approx. 4 hours
Route
- Follow the RN7 south from Fianarantsoa to Ambalavao – a smooth and familiar drive.
- If heading to Tsaranoro, continue past Ambalavao and take the off-road track (1.5 hours) into the valley.
Stopover
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In Ambalavao, you can take a break at the paper factory of Aux Bougainvillées for a drink before tackling the off-road section.
Community fee
- A local community maintains the road to Tsaranoro (imagine it being worse than it already is…) and asks for a small fee (20,000 MGA per person).
To: Ranomafana
Distance & time
Approx. 65 km | around 3 hours
Route
- From Ambalavao or Tsaranoro, take the RN7 north toward Ambositra / Antsirabe / Antananarivo.
- After about 80 km, just past Alakamisy, turn right onto the RN45 to Vorondolo.
- From there, connect to the RN25, which leads to Ranomafana Forest.
To: Antsirabe
Distance & time
245 km | approx. 8 hours
Route
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Follow the RN7 north from Fianarantsoa all the way to Antsirabe.
Stopover in Ambositra
- Ambositra is a lively town along the way with hotels and restaurants.
- The Artisan Hotel offers pizza to go or a full sit-down menu.
- If you have time, stop at one of the wood workshops for a quick visit.