A historic train journey through the Malagasy countryside

Antananarivo, 10 September 2006:

The Malagasy rail system was built during French colonial period. Madagascar counts over 1000km of rails, and in some places one wonders how they managed such an achievement. The railway makes its way through thick forests, over impressive metallic bridges and on vertiginous steep slopes!
Towns like Antananarivo, Antsirabe and Ranomafana boast superb colonial style stations. Nowadays, the only section operating is the Fianarantsoa / Manakara line, all the other routes have progressively abandoned their service due to lack of funding during the 80's and 90's.

The Malagasy government is planning to rehabilitate the rail network in cooperation with the South African railway company. Meanwhile, you can see laundry drying on the rails, people sitting and chatting on the rails, or Malagasy people walking along them from one town to another.... The best way not to get lost!

Ankanin'Ny Nofy Station is still standing, and still has one faithful employee! We hope that the Antananarivo / Tamatave route and Ankanin'Ny Nofy station will be operational in 2008. We all have terrific childhood memories of these train journeys: The old train "choking" its way through the Malagasy highlands and the forest, over the great metallic bridges crossing the Pangalanes, all the stops at the old fashioned stations lost in the middle of nowhere, the hordes of vendors with their food baskets on their heads haggling at each station...

For the moment, if you wish to experience at least a part of this lively journey, you can book a trip between Fianarantsoa / Manakara at BOOGIE PILGRIM. Email: .