What to do in Antananarivo

Start your highland exploration at the royal complex atop the city's highest hill, where guided tours of the Rova reveal fascinating insights into Madagascar's monarchical past. The UNESCO-listed Ambohimanga, just a short drive away, offers morning visits to ancient royal compounds and sacred gates. Wildlife encounters are rather accessible - spend a morning watching nine species of lemurs swing about in the botanical gardens, For a rather delicious cultural experience, join a chocolate-making workshop where you'll learn to craft pralines using premium Malagasy cocoa - the island produces some of the world's finest dark chocolate, don't you know. The central Analakely market provides excellent morning shopping for local handicrafts and vanilla, while afternoon walks around Lake Anosy offer peaceful moments under blooming jacaranda trees. Pop into the Photography Museum for a proper look at Madagascar's visual history, with particularly interesting exhibits from the colonial period. Walking tours through the historic quarters reveal French colonial architecture and centuries-old steps, though do pack comfortable shoes - these hills give your legs quite the workout.