Mantasoa

Mantasoa is located just 70 kilometres northeast of Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, and has gained popularity as a weekend getaway for visitors from the capital, as well as foreign travellers passing through the region. This resort town has developed around Lac Mantasoa, an artificial lake surrounded by fragrant pine forests that offers opportunities for swimming, fishing, windsurfing, boating and water-skiing. An interesting if somewhat bizarre attraction of the area is a derelict industrial complex set up in the 19th century by French explorer and businessman Jean Laborde. Less than an hour’s drive away is the Réserve Peyrieras, a private sanctuary that is renowned for its colourful endemic butterflies and insect species.