Chez Haga

Chez Haga is a Malagasy country style guesthouse located at the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga, 24 kilometres from Antananarivo. The property, situated only 300 metres from the Rova itself, offers a great view of the surrounding landscapes, facing the hills of Mangabe, Andringitra, Kaloy and Langaina.

Chez Haga offers reasonable priced accommodation in a homely atmosphere. The two-storey building includes five guest rooms, three double and two single rooms, all of which are different in style and character. The living room and an outside patio function as the dining, lunch and breakfast area. Shared basic bathroom facilities are located on the second floor.

The Malagasy host and author, Michelle Rakotoson, has restored and furnished her house tastefully, using embroidered tablecloths made in the village. Traditional tableware and simple authentic Malagasy decor makes Chez Haga suitable for cultural events, such as literature, poetry and jazz evenings as well as kabary - a Malagasy form of oratory rhetoric once practiced in political debates during the rule of the Imerina Kingdom. Kabary was oppressed during the French colonisation.

Michelle welcomes guests and day visitors to unwrap their own picnics in the garden area. The only rule that applies to visiting picnickers is that the drinks are bought from the restaurant.

Close to the main building stands a smaller, over 200 years old house, the second oldest in the area after the Rova itself. The building originally functioned as a tribunal and was thereafter used a doctor's practice. The house is currently in a state of restoration.

The surrounding area offers excellent hiking in all directions and is a good start for learning about the origins of the Merina Kingdom, that once ruled and unified the different ethnic groups of Madagascar. In addition to the Rova, the nearby Soavinandriamanitra Culture Park offers various attractions, such as reptiles, chameleons and many small strange creatures unique to Madagascar. There is also a very cute and tame family of Sifaka lemurs.

Michelle also maintains a second property a few kilometres from Ambohimanga. The house offers an alternative to anyone seeking calm, peace and nature, between the countless hilltops and typical Malagasy villages of the Merina highlands.

At either locations, Michelle and her friendly staff genuinely welcome their guests, whether one is just dropping by for a quick coffee, lunch or dinner, or stays over the weekend including one of the organised treks and picnic excursions.

Chez Haga
Tel: +261(0) 34 16 704 63
E-mail: michele.rakotoson@voila.fr

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