Ambalavao

Set in the Central Highlands of Madagascar, within the Matsiatra Region, Ambalavao is an attractive little town known as the centre of the country’s Antaimoro paper-making industry, which is paper made out of papyrus and wildflowers. It serves as a convenient stopover for visitors heading to the impressive Andringitra National Park and features an Old Town with traditional buildings known as Betsileo houses decorated with photogenic verandas. Visitors can swing by the paper making factory; explore the Anja Community Reserve, featuring three mountain-sized boulders creating a beautiful backdrop for a lush forest packed with ring-tailed lemurs; and check out the Zebu Market held every Wednesday (Madagascar's largest zebu market - which is a breed of humped cattle).