Madagascar: Ambatolampy – aluminum pots

August 6, 2023
Madagascar
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The small town of Ambatolampy is famous for the manufacture of aluminium pots for cooking. We always enjoy visiting places to see how things are made, a bit like watching a Discovery Channel programme, but just in person.

One of our destinations on our Madagascan odyssey was the small town of Ambatolampy which is a couple of hours south of the capital, Antananarivo. The town is famous for the manufacture of aluminium pots for cooking. Our guide, Zo, had promised us a visit to a family-run factory that produces aluminium pots on a small scale. We always enjoy visiting places to see how things are made, a bit like watching a Discovery Channel programme, but just in person. The town of Ambatolampy is small and like most towns in Madagascar, as we were to discover somewhat run down. There was a railway line running through the centre of town, but it didn’t look as if much had passed through of late. A couple of cows stood by the tracks happily chowing down on some juicy-looking grass, seemingly safe in the knowledge that they we in no danger of being mown down by a speeding express train.

We passed by a few stalls selling second-hand clothes and vegetables, which was the local market, and turned down a narrow side street, pulling up alongside some simple houses. As we climbed out of the car we were surrounded by some young children, who were apparently the offspring of the family who ran the aluminium pot factory. Zo took us through an alley and into a courtyard which had at its far end a pile of assorted aluminium goods, this was the factory’s raw material supply. On the periphery of the courtyard were several lean-to buildings. Next to one of these were a couple of roaring furnaces that were being used to smelt the aluminium, and on these were crucibles full of molten aluminium. We were led into one of the lean-tos where men were creating the pots. It was so hot inside here and we were not even doing any work! They carefully made the moulds using templates and once this process was complete, they carefully carried, using some Heath-Robinson-looking tools, the crucible of molten aluminium and poured it into the mould. Moments later a finished pot was pulled out and set aside to cool. It was fascinating to watch this process from start to finish.

Once we were done at the factory, Zu led us back on the street and gave us some time to walk through the market and up the street saying he’d pick us up on the road in 10 minutes. We liked the idea of some freedom to wander, but this was to become a regular thing, as it gave him time for a cigarette break. As promised, we were collected about 10 minutes later and whisked to a small restaurant up the road for lunch.

Planning your visit to Ambatolampy

Best time to visit Madagascar

Climate

Current Weather Forecasts

Antananarivo

Wednesday

81°

scattered clouds

Clouds40%

Humidity50%

Wind17mph

Thu

Min62°

Max79°

Fri

Min60°

Max84°

Sat

Min63°

Max85°

Sun

Min64°

Max85°

Toliara

Wednesday

83°

clear sky

Clouds6%

Humidity65%

Wind23mph

Thu

Min75°

Max92°

Fri

Min77°

Max88°

Sat

Min76°

Max88°

Sun

Min77°

Max88°

Morondava

Wednesday

84°

clear sky

Clouds4%

Humidity66%

Wind22mph

Thu

Min78°

Max87°

Fri

Min80°

Max87°

Sat

Min78°

Max88°

Sun

Min78°

Max88°

The best time to visit Madagascar depends on what you want to do and see. The country is green and fresh after the rain that falls between January and March, with lemurs and reptiles active and easy to spot. While there are some heavy downpours from April to June, these are interspersed with sunshine, while July and August are cool and dry, making this an ideal time for exploring.

The whales arrive on Île Sainte-Marie in July and remain until the end of September. Between September and November the weather is particularly lovely, remaining fine and warm. This is also when jacarandas are in flower and many lemurs have young. While December is hot, lemurs, reptiles and tenrecs are active, which makes for good wildlife viewing.y-Month

Visiting Maadagascar in January to March

January to March is cyclone season, so we would advise against travelling to Madagascar during this time.

Visiting Madagascar in April to June

Heavy downpours can still be expected in April, May and June, but between these showers the sun will usually shine. Following the rainy season the landscape is lush and green, with wildlife such as lemurs and reptiles often making an appearance.

Visiting Madagascar in July & August

This is a good time to try spotting humpback whales as they begin to arrive in Île Sainte-Marie. The weather is cool and dry, making this a comfortable time to explore.

Events & Festivals

Spot humpback whales (July to September): Humpback whales migrate from the Antarctic at this time of year to calve, making for unforgettable sightings from the shore or on a boat expedition around the island of Île Sainte-Marie.

Visiting Madagascar in September

The weather is fine and warm. Humpback whales can still be seen in Île Sainte-Marie until the end of the month, while lemurs begin to give birth to young.

Events & Festivals

Visiting Madagascar in October

Temperatures begin to increase around the country and jacarandas are in bloom, displaying their vibrant purple flowers.

Events & Festivals

See fossa in western Madagascar: Endemic to Madagascar, fossa are cat-like, carnivorous mammals. October and November are a great time to spot them in the deciduous forests of western Madagascar such as Anjajavy Private Nature Reserve.

Visiting Madagascar in November & December

Temperatures continue to increase around the country, although there is a little bit more in the way of rain. Lemurs, reptiles and tenrecs can often be spotted at this time..

Events & Festivals