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Hilary Bradt
Publisher, travel writer, lecturer and sculptor
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Hilary Bradt 
Six new passenger railway carriages painted in red-and-white Madarail livery have just arrived at the port of Toamasina. They will soon be put into service on the Moramanga–Ambatondrazaka/Moramanga–Toamasina line.
The long-awaited renovation of a 40km stretch of the RN44 road running north from Moramanga to Lac Alaotra is now completed, reducing the travel time between Marovoay and Vohidiala from eight hours to three. The second phase of the construction project, a further 73km stretch, is already under way, with completion scheduled for July 2023.
Starting from 17 December 2021, Cotisse Transport will start operating a new taxi-brousse route between Antananarivo and Ambatondrazaka. The journey takes 11hrs (07.00–18.00) and costs 30,000Ar each way. Online booking: https://cotisse-transport.com
Newly opened in Andasibe, Manjarano Lodge & Spa brings the standing of accommodation available in the area up yet another notch. Located next to Vakona Lodge, it takes its name from the graphite mine nearby that has been operating for decades. Set amongst trees and alongside a lake, the hotel boasts a swanky main building with dining area and swimming pool. There are 12 luxurious bungalows of 50m², each with a lounge, sat-TV, safe, minibar, AC, Wi-Fi, terrace & king-size bed; private bathrooms with bath & shower, his-n-hers basins & hairdryer. These are priced at 920,000Ar per night for duble occupancy or 600,000Ar single. Contact mob 032 11 038 39, 034 72 222 61; email resa@manjarano.com; Facebook Manjarano-Lodge-Spa.
For Sahatandra River Hotel in Andasibe, the phone number 034 14 019 29 is no longer operational.
The correct contact details are now: mob 034 38 019 29, 033 80 019 29, 033 81 019 29; email sahatandra.river.hotel@gmail.com