Get in

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Visa

Nationals of most countries can obtain a visa on arrival valid for up to 90 days. Stays of up to 30 days cost 80,000 Ar. while for a maximum stay of 60 days the cost is 100,000 Ar. for a stay of up to 90 days the cost is 140,000 Ar. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months and a return ticket.

As of March 2018, 30 day visas received at the airport are obtained using cash only for either 80,000/100,000/140,000 Madagascar Airary or Euro or dollars equivalent. A counter before entry issues visas.

 

By plane

From Europe or Asia or North America, the best connections with lower fares are with Kenya airways or Ethiopian airlines or Turkish airlines. Air Madagascar [4] ("AirMad"), and Air France or Corsair [5] fly from Paris to Antananarivo.

Air Austral (french) runs flights to Madagascar from Paris with transfer on Reunion Island.

Travelers from Europe and Asia can also fly with Air Mauritius [6].

Air Madagascar also operates a weekly service between Nairobi and Antananarivo.

Flights from Johannesburg, South Africa, using Air Madagascar codeshared with SA Airlink [7]. Flights run 6 days a week.

Note that the airport is located right next to the city Ivato with cheap public transport to Tana center (500 ariary). You can sleep in the airport. Otherwise, you should pay around 50,000 ariary for a taki into town, although they may not want to go lower than 70,000 ariary to leave from the airport.

 

By boa

There are no more Ferries from Toamasina on the east coast going to Mauritius via Reunion. Currently you can only fly to Mauritius or Reunion.

 

Get around

 

By plane

Air Madagascar serves numerous destinations throughout the country, which is a good thing considering the bad state of the roads. Besides the big cities, lots of little hamlets are also served.

It is advisable to check the status of your flight in advance, as timetable changes can occur at fairly short notice.

There was some political unrest in 2002, which resulted in some airports being temporarily shut.

Passengers who arrive in Madagascar on a long-haul flight from Air Madagascar can benefit from reductions on the order of 50% on the company's internal flights.

 

By train

 

There are four rail lines in Madagascar :

• Antananarivo-Ambatondrazaka via Moramanga, you can get on the train between Moramanga and Ambatondrazaka.

• Antananarivo-Antsirabe

• Fianarantsoa-Manakara three times a week for both directions.

• Antananarivo-Toamasina : people can travel between Moramanga and Tomasina approximately twice a week.

 

With the Malagasy railway network dating from the colonial period, breakdowns are frequent due to poor maintenance, and a line may be closed for several weeks.

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The train is not the fastest and most comfortable means of travel, but it lets you admire the magnificent landscapes (especially on the line connecting Fianarantsoa to Manakara) and discover the Malagasy fruits and dishes offered at every stop. You can taste what is in season at little cost : crayfish, bananas, cinnamon apples, sambos, zebu sausages, oranges. Travelling by train is cheap (1st class from Fianarantsoa to Manakara only 25000Ar (less than 10€)). You want to choose a 1st class seat; or get up very early if you want to be sure to get a 2nd class ticket since it is always extremely crowded (the train is the only mean of transport for many villagers) and no booking is possible in 2nd class. Unfortunately, the train that runs between Manakara and Fianarantsoa has become less reliable lately (early 2007) due to poor conditions of the tracks.

 

By road

 

Village in Central Highlands, south of Antananarivo

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This is the only inexpensive way to get around, but Madagascar's roads are almost all of very low grade (with the exception of 2 routes leading out of Tana). Many roads are studded with potholes and are quagmires in the rainy season. Be warned that travel by road will almost always take much more time than you would normally expect. Hire of a 4WD vehicle can reduce this problem but the cost will be higher but still very cost effective if you are not traveling alone and able to split the rental fee between the members of your group. (Rent a 4WD with driver is around 50 EURO/day/car excluding gasoline, updated SEP 2015) Due to the poor condition of the roads many car hire companies will only rent you a car if you use one of their drivers. In most cases, the driver can act as your guide and translator as well.

 

By taxi-brousse

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This is the way most natives travel around the country. There are three major modern roads in the country: RN7 from Tana to Toliara, RN2 from Tana to Tomasina (via Brickaville) and RN4 from Tana to Mahajanga. Trips between those towns take about a day whereas traveling between Tana and Taolagnaro, a south-eastern coastal town, would take about 3 or 4 days due to the condition of the road. Travel is cramped and don't expect air conditioning. Expect dust to be a problem in the dry season. Travel by Taxi-Brousse is guaranteed to test one's patience and sanity, but there is quite possibly no better way to meet and interact with the locals and experience Madagascar as the Malagasy do. Taxi-brousse is by far the cheapest way to travel, but do not expect to leave or arrive on time. Indeed, the drivers wait for their 15 seats small buses to get full before leaving, therefore a few hours delay is never excluded! However, during the trip it allows you to admire the breathtaking landscapes Madagascar holds.

 

By taxi

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In Tana, the cheapest way to get around is by taxi-be, or big taxi, which is a bit larger than a mini-van. There is one aisle with seats to fold down so they can cram in even more people. During peak season, buses run frequently.

 

By boat

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If you are looking for an unusual holiday, a yacht charter to Madagascar might be a good choice. You can be sure that your neighbors have not been there and done that. For those who would like to bareboat (hire a ship or boat without provisions or crew), a “guide” is usually included in the price of the yacht charter. Although obligatory, he comes with the price and is essential for the multitude of services he will provide. He will prepare the food, recommend anchorages, know where to fish and refill the water tanks. He will speak the local language and have an established relationship with the local people. He will protect the boat from theft when you leave it to explore on land. The guide lives completely on the exterior of the boat and does not require a cabin. A yacht charter to Madagascar is a bit of a “Robinson Crusoe” adventure. Once you embark, you will not be able to stock up provisions again and must live off the fish and seafood you will catch for yourself (or with your guide). So take great care with your provisioning list. This problem can be avoided by chartering one of the crewed catamarans. Cats are designed for stability so sea sickness is not really a problem. The crew prepare the boat with linen, food and drinks before your arrival -basically these boats are like a personal floating hotel. Depending on which boat you choose you could receive excellent service and food and suggestions of where to go and what to do. Choose your catamaran carefully as there are some really old ones in service- make sure the crew can speak your language.

 

By bicycle

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Madagascar is a great place to tour by bike and staying in small towns and villages along the way gives a real sense of what the country is all about. A mountain bike or heavy duty tourer at least is required as the roads can be in poor to terrible condition. In rainy season on the East coast the main North-south road can become impassable, possibly leading to a two day walk - over soft sand in one section - this is not an easily rideable route. Generally there is little to no traffic which makes cruising around a great pleasure. The people are amazingly friendly and you'll be greeted with crowds of children shouting 'Vazaha' in every village. There are little or no facilities for cyclists, so be prepared to camp rough (ask if it is somebody's land and never too near a family grave) or sleep in very basic guesthouses. Likely you will be invited to stay in people's houses. Bring a spare tire, puncture kit, chain, brake/gear cable, derailleur and all the tools you need.

 

Organised Madagascar Cycling tour can be arranged with specialised operators, they will accompany you with a car, reserve hotels and sort out any problem may arise during your ride. More expensive but definitely safer and hassle free.

 

Talk

 

The ring-tailed lemur is unique to the fauna of Madagascar

The official languages are Malagasy and French.

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Malagasay is a Malayo-Polynesian language related to Malay and Indonesian that is spoken by the majority of the island as a native language. As well as being the name of the language, "Malagasy" also refers to the people of the island. Because the island is so large there are many different dialects. The Merina dialect is the "Official Malagasy" of the island and is spoken around the highlands of Antananarivo. Most Malagasy, however, speak Merina across the island.

French is the second official language of Madagascar. The government and large corporations use French in everyday business, but 75-85% of Malagasy only have limited proficiency in this language. Attempts by foreigners to learn and speak Malagasy are liked and encouraged by the Malagasy people.

Tourist workers and some government officials will have a reasonable command of English.

 

See

 

Tsingy de Bemaraha Reserve

 

Walking the Avenue of the Baobabs

 

Avenue of the baobabs at sunrise

• Tsingy de Bemaraha is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is Madagascar's largest reserve (152,000 hectares). The fascinating raised limestone plateau is decorated with a frail, chaotic razor-sharp collection of pinnacles, the “Tsingy”, also called the Labyrinth of Stone. Areas of deciduous forest also provide the chance to see brown lemurs and a variety of bird life, we may also meet the rare all white Decken’s sifaka. The great variety of flora includes: aloes, orchids, numerous pachypodium and baobabs. The deciduous forest is home to over 50 species of birds; 7 species of lemurs (including the all-white Deckens sifaka) and the rare stump-tailed chameleon (Brookesia perarmata). The site of Bemaraha is managed under special UNESCO and access is restricted and the areas you are allowed to visit vary from time to time. Located approximately 180 km north of Morondava.

• Tsingy de Ankarana is a small version of the Tsingy de Bemaraha. This park in the north is on the national road to Antisirana and thus easily accessible. The park also is home to three types of lemurs, chameleons,...

• Avenue of the Baobabs is an extra-ordinary stand of huge baobab trees. Located 45 minutes north of Morondava on Madagascar's west coast it is one of the most visited sites in the Menabe Region. A candidate as one of the 7 Wonders of Africa; efforts are underway to protect this unique grove of more than a dozen trees. Some of the trees, Adansonia grandidieri, are over 800 years old and reach a height of 30+ meters. Truly a photographers paradise and especially beautiful at sunset. The cheapest way to get there is to take a taxi-brousse to the 'croissement a Belo' (14km) and walk north for 1.5 hours.

 

Note: tours combine the Tsingy, a three day piroque boat trip and the Allee de Baobap in 7 days for 200 or more euro dependent on group size. This is most easily arranged in and from Antsirabe.

 

Do

• Kite and Windsurfing, Emerald Sea (Fly to Diego). Between April and November there is a constant 30 knot wind making this one of the best surfing spots in the southern hemisphere.  edit

• Guided Kayaking, Ile Sainte Marie. See the country from a different angle. Explore the coastline of beautiful Sainte Marie with a local guide. Overnight at different local hotels each night and interact with the people. Explore villages and relax in hidden coves. Crystal clear and calm water - no experience required and one does not have to be ultra fit.  edit

• Deep Sea Fishing, Nosy Be, [1]. Get away from the overfished waters of Nosy Be and head out, in luxury, to the Radamas or Mitsio islands. Sailfish, Kingfish, King Mackerel and Wahoo all waiting for you. edit

• Wildlife Tour, ☎ +1 206.669.9272, [2]. Madagascar's plant and animal species are extraordinary (over 80% exist nowhere else), so visitors shouldn't miss seeing the Lemurs, Tortoise, Geckos, Chameleons and unusual flora. Roads are dismal, however, and the country's minimal infrastructure makes it challenging for independent travellers. Book a tour with a reputable company that knows the country well. US-based Apex Expeditions runs a pretty comprehensive wildlife safari.  edit

• Volunteering: Madagascar offers many different opportunities for volunteering and giving back, such as wildlife conservation with Lemurs, construction or social work. There are many ways to get in contact with the desired volunteer project, one of which is a comparison platform. On Volunteer World, a social startup from Germany, [3]. , for example, you can search and compare all volunteering options in Madagascar.  

 

Buy

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The unit of money is the ariary (Ar). It is subdivided into 5 iraimbilanja and is one of only two non-decimal currencies currently circulating (the other is the Mauritanian ouguiya).

 

As of February 2015, 1 € is equal to 3200 Ar while $1 is 2850 Ar. Hotel and tour prices are frequently quoted in Euro, and Euro is accepted for most high-end transactions.

 

The currency system was overhauled in 2006, when a previous currency, the Malagasy Franc (Franc Malgache) was replaced at a ratio of 1 ariary = 5 francs. Confusingly, many people continue to quote prices in francs, so it is imperative to confirm the amount in ariary.

 

There are MCB or BFV or BNI banks ATMs in most cities and towns. Visa cards and Master cards are accepted.

In general the cost of travel in Madagascar is a good value at nearly every budget level. Basic beds can be found for just a few dollars even in big cities, while a meal at a hotely can easily be under a dollar. Mid-level hotels and jungle lodges generally are better values than on the African content, with high-service and beautiful bungalows available for just $50 in many places.

 

Even Tana's most expensive eateries rarely charge more than $10 for a main. there are backpacker hostels in a few places.

Shoppers will find much to buy in the country. Spices, such as vanilla, are a great souvenir and a great value. (Vanilla is about €2 for 10 pods, compared to €3 for 2 pods in Europe.)

 

An exception to all of this is transportation, which can be ruinously expensive for the casual traveller. Air Madagascar charges tourists double on all tickets (unless you flew into the country on the airline) which means that round-trip tickets to anywhere in the country average $600-700! Limited public transportation means that the only alternative to a taxi-brousse (which can be erratically scheduled or not available in many areas) is a private car or boat hire. Expect to pay 200,000 Ar or so a day for a car, fuel and a driver's accommodation and even more if travelling by sea.

 

Eat

 

Voanjobory sy henakisoa, a traditional dish in Madagascar made of Bambara groundnut cooked with pork

 

Ravimbomanga sy patsamena consists of potato leaves stewed with dried shrimp and beef served over rice.

The cheapest way to get a meal is to eat at a "hotely" or at market places. Simple meals that include a plate of rice, laoka (malagasy for side dish accompanying rice) like chicken, beans or pork, and rice water often are about 2000 Ariary (about 1 dollar) but could even be as low as 500 Ariary. For 200 ariary extra you can get a small glass of homemade yogurt. 'Compose' is a small salad that often includes potato salad and some other vegetables, often available for 300 to 600 Ariary. The same is also available on a baguette. Soups in various kinds, often including pasta are also very popular.

Bananas (hundreds of varieties) and rice cakes (Malagasy 'bread') are staple 'street food' and available everywhere. Coffee is very good, usually hand-made by the cup and served very sweet with condensed milk. Steak-frites is available in restaurants in the larger towns.

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• Supermarkets

There are three big supermarket chains in Madagascar. Shoprite, Score and Leader Price. all three Western style supermarket chains are well stocked, but the expensive prices reflect the need to import just about everything. There are many Shoprite and Leader price branded goods but also some more local produce (veg, spices etc, far cheaper than any of street markets). Shoprite is a slightly cheaper and has stores in Antananarivo, Mahajanga, Toamasina and Antsirabe. (Shoprite is a south African owned chain with stores in 15 African countries)

 

Drin

While in general tap water is considered not safe, in most cities it seldom causes problems. Bottled water costs 30 to 60 eurocent per liter and can be found almost everywhere. The same holds for Fanta, Coca Cola, ... Bonbon Anglais, and various beers like Three Horses Beer (THB), Castel, Queens, Skol, ... Locals often drink rum because it is much cheaper than beer. Natural and not so natural juices can also readily be found, for 5 to 10 eurocent per cup. Another option is ranon'apango (RAN-oo-na-PANG-oo) or rice water (water used to cook rice, which will therefore have been boiled) which is often served when eating in local places. It's particularly important to plan ahead if visiting rural areas. It is worth taking with you some chlorine tablets, which can be used to make the local water drinkable.

Home brewed rum, and creme de coco, is also available - in many flavours!

 

Sleep

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In most places a budget room can be found for 12000 to 25000 Ariary, which provides for a double bed. Single travelers therefore end up spending more on accommodation, with dormitories or single rooms being rare. Mosquito nets are mostly provided where necessary, a net costs about 1 to 8 euro in Tana. Camping's exist in and around several national parks, but for some you may require your own tent.

 

Learn

Please learn some Malagasy. The single best thing you can do to have a fun and safe trip on this beautiful island is to speak the local language. Even ten words will make your trip monumentally better than if you speak French. There are a number of guidebooks you can buy to learn Malagasy or ask someone to teach you. Just a few words, I promise you, will make all the difference.

 

Work

 

Stay safe

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Madagascar is a fairly safe country. You must, however, respect some simple principles:

• Don't walk around at night in Antananarivo (other cities are pretty safe).

• Don't exhibit signs of wealth (cameras, jewels, ...).

• Similarly, always carry small bills. Paying with large bills shows off your wealth, can insult the seller because they will not have change, and opens you up for becoming a target.

• Don't resist in case of aggression.

• Don't provoke stray dogs.

• Keep an eye on your belongings when using public transportation or visiting markets where numerous pickpockets swarm.

• Learn the Malagasy word for thief, "Mpangalatra" which is pronounced "pahn-GAHL-ah-tra". If someone is trying to rob you in a busy market area scream this. The fact that a vazaha is screaming thief will unsettle the thief as well as alert the people near you to help. But, in most cases don't expect help from the locals. Most locals will stay quiet in fear of being chastised for helping a foreigner. A crowd of locals will move in to cover for a child running away with your stuff. The spoils are then divided up among those who helped the person get away. Beware of hanging your hand out the windows of a bus or car. A thief will literally rip a ring off your finger or a spandex watch off your arm. In one reported case a thief cut a woman's finger off to get her ring.

• Always listen for the words "vazaha" or "vazongo" when spoken in low tones. If you hear these words be aware that someone is talking about you, for better or for worse!

 

Like any other developing country, the presence of beggars never goes unnoticed. This is sometimes uncomfortable for tourists, but these people should be respected none-the-less. They are, predictably, attracted to foreigners as they view them as being wealthy and will not hesitate to ask for a hand out. If you don't want to be bothered, a simple "Non, merci" or "Tsy Misy (tsee-meesh)" (I have nothing) will do the trick. If they persist, try shouting "Mandehana! (man-day-han)" (Go Away!). It is recommended not to give money, but other useful items, such as a banana, a piece of bread, etc. It is usually accepted with gratitude, and if the beggar is a child, he will run away with a smile on his face. NEVER take a child to the hotel or you would be suspected of pedophilia.

 

It is imperative not to encourage begging - in Madagascar the people do not really believe in getting something for nothing and will invariably offer you something first. For example a chameleon to photograph.

 

Stay healthy

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While the AIDS epidemic has not reached the devastating level found in many southern African countries, it is widely assumed that the incidence of HIV is underestimated and rising. You should take no risks and avoid unprotected sex in all cases.

Areas inhabited by humans will invariably have large populations of stray dogs. Never provoke a stray dog, and although bites are rare, if bitten seek medical assistance promptly as rabies is not unheard of.

Research malaria prophylaxis options, and follow through. If you are not taking any prophylactics, be sure to always use a mosquito net for sleeping, and apply mosquito repellents once dusk sets in. On-skin repellent (only repellents containing ~40% DEET are effective, such as NoBite, Azeron Before Tropics etc.) is good but should be used in combination with on-clothes repellent (eg: NoBite). The clothes repellent is odourless approximately an hour after application, and clothes can be washed up to 4 times before it needs to be re-applied. If you wear long-sleeve clothing treated with the repellent and apply on-skin repellent to the skin parts not covered, you will be very safe against mosquito bites and can skip the prophylaxis with its notorious side effects. Be sure to take the repellent issue seriously, though, as it's very easy to fall into a more 'relaxed' mode after you've spent some time in the country.

Remember that Madagascar is in the tropics and take precautions against sunburn and heat exhaustion seriously. Wear lots of sunscreen and keep hydrated. Remember that a cloudy day does not mean you won't get burnt.

 

Respect

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Everyday life in Madagascar is regulated by numerous fady (taboos) which vary from one region to another. They can forbid foods (pork, lemur, turtle... ), wearing clothes of a particular colour, bathing in a river or a lake. Observance of "fady" is mostly limited to rural areas, as tourists will most likely not run into this problem if they stay in the main towns. However, there are fadies in places such as Antananarivo but most Vazaha are exempt.

Fady are attributed to ancestors, to whom Malagasy adopt a respectful attitude whatever their religion. It is safest to respect these prohibitions and not violate them, even if you feel they don't make sense. Inform yourself about local fady when you arrive in a new place.

 

When addressing anyone older than you or in a position of authority (e.g. police, military, customs officials), use the word "tompoko (TOOMP-koo)" the same way you would use "sir" or "ma'am" in English. Respect for elders and authority figures is important in Madagascar.

 

Do not ever take photos of a tomb without permission. Always ask permission before taking photos. Also, if you go to a remote village or hamlet, it is fomba, or tradition, that you first meet with the head of the village if you have business in the village. Meeting this person can save you a lot of time if you have work to do there.

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Contact

There are three cellphone companies in Madagascar. Airtel , Orange and Telma.buy a sim card then load calls sms and internet.