Ambositra- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Ambositra sits at roughly 1,350 m above sea level in Madagascar's central Highlands and serves as the capital of the Amoron'i Mania region. Positioned along the well-maintained RN7 major highway, about 255 km south of Antananarivo, the town provides access to rolling rice terraces, red-brick colonial-era buildings, and elevated scenic views. Its economy blends agriculture—rice, cassava, maize, sugar cane—and artisanal craft, as well as mineral resources including copper, gold, and limestone. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, built in the early 20th century, and preserved colonial houses featuring carved wooden balconies offer tangible links to the region's layered past. Ambositra is celebrated as the centre of Malagasy wood craftsmanship, home to the Zafimaniry subgroup of the Betsileo people whose geometric marquetry was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2003. Workshops in town showcase carvings in rosewood, ebony, and palissandre—ranging from decorative boxes and chessboards to furniture—often crafted by hand using traditional tools without nails. Nearby villages like Antoetra and Sakaivo reveal the authentic context of this artistry, with treks through tapia forests and rice terrace‑draped hills expanding cultural insight. Markets such as Anjoma‑Akona offer fresh artisan work and local fare, while traditions like Famadihana ceremonies and the Savika bull‑taming ritual remain deeply rooted in Betsileo life around Ambositra.