Madagascar: Travelling

Entry Requirements

Passport and Visa Service: E-Visa Madagascar
Diplomatic Missions of Madagascar

For Further Information
Contact the Embassy: Embassy of Madagascar in Mauritius
Rue Guiot Pasceau
Floreal
Tel: (230) 686 5015 (office)
Fax: (230) 686 7040
Contact the Embassy per E-mail.

Check IATA Travel Website for visa requirements and health advices.

Organising Your Trip

Transportation From Airport to City Centre:

Airport	Distance	Taxi	Bus	Train	Car Rental
Ivato International Airport (TNR)	15 km/9.3 miles	25 min/MGA 40,000	“Navette Adema” 1 hour/MGA 10,000	N/A	Available

Major airlines

Name	Type	Domestic Flights	International Flights
Air Madagascar	National Company	Domestic flights	International flights
Air France	French National Company	N/A	International flights
Turkish Airlines	Turkish National Company	N/A

You Can Consult The EU Air Safety List. Look Also at the rating of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Visiting

Different Forms of Tourism

Historical: Among the historical sites in Madagascar is the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga, located approximately 24 kilometers northeast of the capital city of Antananarivo. This historic village - which belonged to the Merina Kingdom in the pre-colonial era - has been included in the list of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites thanks to its royal palace compound ("rova") and its well-preserved 19th-century palaces, which have a particular political and spiritual significance to the Malagasy people. Other important historic landmarks are the archaeological site of Antongona (36 km west of Antananarivo, which consists of two main groups of archaeological sites dating from between the 16th and 18th centuries); and the rova in the town of Tsinjoarivo in the Vakinankaratra region. Furthermore, the rova of Antananarivo, known as Manjakamiadana, located on the city's highest hill, is also an interesting site (although it is still under restoration after a fire which occurred in 1995).
Cultural: Although the cultural and heritage centres of Madagascar are still in an early stage of development, the country has several museums and cultural centres, including: the Museum of Art and Archaeology, the Museum of Ethnology and Paleontology, and the Andafiavaratra Palace Museum (all located in the capital Antananarivo); the Toamasina Regional Museum; and the Toliara University Museum.
Nature: Madagascar is one of the richest countries in biodiversity in the world. Approximately 95% of Madagascar's reptiles, 89% of its plant life, and 92% of its mammals exist nowhere else on earth.
The country offers a variety of national parks, including: the Andasibe and Mantadia National Parks (which are home to the largest lemur species), the Tsingy de Bermaraha with its limestone forests, the Amber Mountain Reserve, the Masoala National Park (the largest in Madagascar, covering 2,300 km2 of rainforest as well as three marine parks with coral reefs), the Andohahela National Park (one of Madagascar's most diverse parks in terms of landscapes and wildlife), and the Isalo National Park in the southwest of the country (the most famous).
Religious: Around half of the population of Madagascar adheres to traditional religions; and the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga has always been considered as a spiritual and sacred place for the Malagasy people.
Fourty percent of the population is composed by Christians, with the main churches being the Faravohitra Church in Antananarivo and the Ambozontany Cathedral in Fianarantsoa.
Thermal: Located at a distance of 170 km from Antananarivo by the National Road 7, the city of Antsirabe, renown for its thermal springs and baths, is the capital of Vakinankaratra, it is surrounded by volcanic mountains and enjoys a special invigorating climate. The first large bath house was built in 1917 and it has become the meeting place for patients who come from all over Madagascar and even the neighboring islands. Antsirabe can be visited in "pousse-pousse" (rickshaws) and it has the quiet atmosphere of a provincial small European town and at the same time a typical Malagasy character that one can discover at the markets and its traditional neighborhoods.
Other hot springs are located in Ranomafana (across the Namorona River) and in the geysers area of Analavory.
Beach: With its 5,000km of Indian Ocean coastline, Madagascar is a fantastic destination for beach lovers. Some of the best beaches are: the Baie de Sainte Luce (also known as Manafiafy, in the south), the tropical island of Nosy Be off the northwestern tip of Madagascar, the neighbouring Tsarabanjina, Ramena beach (in the second-largest natural bay in the world, close to the port city of Diego Suarez), Île aux Nattes and Île Sainte-Marie (located off the northeastern coast of Madagascar), and Andovoke bay (on the southwest coast).
Winter Sports: The climate of Madagascar is not suitable for winter sports.
Outdoor Activities: With its beautiful landscapes and pleasant climate, Madagascar offer a wide variety of outdoor activities, including: trekking and hiking in the numerous national parks (like the paths in Cape Masoala, those that connect Lake Aloatra to the East Coast, those that start with the mazes of Makay, and the mountain treks of Boby Peak and Marojejy Peak); surfing and kitesurfing; whale watching (from June to September); birdwatching; diving; sport fishing (mostly in the northwest of the island); motorcycle road trips; etc.
Shopping: Madagascar is famous for its handicrafts, like the lamba (a traditional sarong-like cloth worn by women), silk scarves, wooden carvings, jewellery (often made of stones and zebu horns).
Some good destinations for shopping are the Marché Artisanal de La Digue (about 12km out of Antananarivo), Kudeta Etnik Shop, La Teeshirterie, Roses & Baobab (a collective of local artists showcasing sculptures, wood carvings, paintings, etc.), Antsiranana's Ateliers de l’Artisanat (with a wide selection of handicrafts and artwork from all over the island). Whereas bargaining is normal in markets, it is not that common in standard shops.

Top Highlights in the Main Cities
Antananarivo's Rova
Royal Hill of Ambohimanga
Faravohitra Church in Antananarivo
Isalo National Park
Nosy Be
Andohahela National Park

Top Highlights of the Country

Tourism Organisations: Madagascar Tourism

Living Conditions

Health and Safety

Health Precautions: There are no specific vaccination requirements to enter Madagascar (except for vaccine against yellow fever which is required for travellers arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever). Nevertheless, WHO and foreign ministries of various countries recommend the following vaccines before entering the country: Hepatitis A, Malaria, Typhoid, Hepatitis B and Rabies. Vaccination against Measles is also required.
International Hospitals: There are no international hospitals in Madagascar. It is possible to go to the Soavinandrimo Hospital in Antananarivo or to the Main Hospital of Diego Suarez. Otherwise, in case of a serious problem, it is better to take a plane and go to the island of Reunion.
For Further Information on Sanitary Conditions: CDC - Health Information for Travellers to Madagascar
For Further Information on Safety Conditions: U.S. Department of State - Madagascar Travel Information
Government of Canada - Madagascar Travel Advice
OSAC - Madagascar Crime and Safety Report
Contact Your Embassy: Mauritian Embassy in Madagascar
Villa David IV
Manakambahiny
Antananarivo-101
Madagascar
Tel: (261-20) 22 321 57
Fax: (261-20) 22 219 39
Contact the Embassy per Email.

Emergency Numbers

Police	117
Ambulance	118
Fire	124

Time Difference and Climate

Time and Time Difference: It is %T:%M %A In Antananarivo (GMT+3)
Summer Time Period: There are no daylight saving time clock changes in Madagascar.

Map of the Time Zone

Time zone

Type of Climate: Madagascar is a large island located in the Indian Ocean, in the Southern Hemisphere. The country has a tropical climate, rainy along the east coast, arid in the south-west, and temperate in the mountains.
Madagascar has a rainy season from November to March and a dry season from April to October (or from May to September in the north). Some areas have a different climate, like the east coast (where it rains pretty much all year round) and the south-west (which is arid instead). Rainfalls usually occur in the form of thunderstorms. Madagascar has one of the greater biodiversity and many native species populate the island.
The temperature in the capital Antananarivo ranges from an average of 21 °C in the summer months to 15°C in July and August.
Hotel reservation websites: Directorate-General for Meteorology

Average Annual Temperatures and Rainfall

Climate

Eating

Food Specialties: The cuisine of Madagascar has Asian, African and French influences.
The basic food of the Malagasies is rice, served at most meals and usually complemented with the two main national dishes: the Romazava (made up of leaves, herbs and pieces of beef and pork cooked in oil until browned) and the Ravitoto cooked with pork meat. Other traditional dishes include the Foza sy hena-kisoa (stir-fried pork and crab served with rice), Vary amid’anana (a dish with rice, leaves or herbs, meat and occasionally shrimp); and Lasopy (a thick soup made with veal or beef broth and vegetables, served with bread).
It is possible to eat large quantities of seafood at a very reasonable price, such as tuna, shrimp, etc.
Vanilla is the national spice, it is an ingredient used in many local dishes.
It is also possible to taste the specialties of the neighbouring island Reunion, especially the Rougail.
Drinks: One of the specialties of Madagascar is the rice water, which consists of the water recovered after the rice has been boiled (called “ranonapango”).
The rum is the national alcoholic drink, that can be tasted in its marinated form, called "arranged rum". Three Horses is the most common beer.
It is also possible to drink fresh fruit juices which vary depending the seasons, as well as a bubblegum flavoured drink called “Bonbon Anglais” (often sold as lemonade).
Finally, it has to be kept in mind that running water is not drinkable in the country.
Dietary Restrictions: There are many prohibited foods or "fadys" in Madagascar, but they differ depending the population or the place. For example: in Andringitra, pork is "fady", but sometimes it can be eels, rabbit, etc. It is better to ask information from the local Malagasies.
Around 7% of the population is Muslim, hence normally do not eat pork meat (unless it is “halal”, which means it is permissible or lawful in traditional Islamic law) nor drink alcohol.
The drinking age for alcohol is 18.

Paying

Domestic Currency: Malagasy Ariary
ISO Code: MGA
To Obtain Domestic Currency: ATMs (Visa and MasterCard) are widely available in large towns and cities. In rural areas, cash rules. Euros are the easiest foreign currency to exchange. Withdrawals from ATMs are capped at Ar300,000.
Visa and MasterCard can be used at most banks to obtain cash advances of up to Ar10 million; commission rates go as high as 5%, depending on the bank.
Possible Means of Payment: Although Madagascar changed its currency in 2005 (from the Malagasy franc to the ariary), many Malagasies still count in franc (one MGA is worth five francs), so it is recommendable to double-check which currency a price is being quoted in, especially in rural areas.
High end hotels generally accept payments in foreign currency. Visa credit cards are accepted at some upmarket hotels and shops, along with certain travel agencies. MasterCard can be used at some ATMs, but only a limited number of shops will accept payments with it. Some places levy a commission of about 5% to 8% for credit-card payments.

Speaking

Official Language: French, Malagasy
Other Languages Spoken: English
Business Language: French or English (with non-French native speakers)

Useful Resources

To Find a Job: Glassdoor Madagascar
Careers in Africa
Career Jet Madagascar

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