Madagascar: Travelling

Means of Transport Recommended in Town

Recommendation

Taxis are a cheap, reliable and easy way to travel in cities and towns in Madagascar. However, they do not have meters: while in some towns the fares are predetermined, in other towns (including the capital Antananarivo) prices have to be agreed with the driver before the ride.
Other options to get around are: taxi-be (or big taxi, which is a bit larger than a mini-van); pousse-pousse (rickshaw, with fares varying between MGA 500 and 2000 for a ride, depending on distance); cyclo-pousse (in which the cab is attached to a bicycle); yellow tuk-tuks (motorised rickshaws, which can fit three people and have a fare between MGA 500 and 1000).
In rural areas of the country, the charette (a wooden cart drawn by a pair of zebu cattle) is the most common form of transport. Fares are negotiable.

Maps of Urban Networks

Via Michelin (detailed map of Antananarivo)

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

Means of Transport Recommended in the Rest of the Country

Recommendation

The most common way to travel the country is by taxis-brousses, which consist of minibuses of around 15 seats. They are cheap and go everywhere, although also slow, uncomfortable, and sometimes unsafe. There are national and regional services (called ligne nationale and ligne régionale). In the latter normally passengers hop on and off along the way, while on the national services the route and the stops are predetermined. Fares for all trips are set by the government and are based on distance, duration and route conditions.
The Malagasy rail system, known as the Réseau National des Chemins de Fer Malgaches (RNCFM), is made up of over 1000km of tracks, but is used mostly by freight transport. There are four rail lines in Madagascar: Antananarivo-Ambatondrazaka via Moramanga; Antananarivo-Antsirabe; Fianarantsoa-Manakara; and Antananarivo-Toamasina. However, the railway network has not been upgraded much since the colonial period, thus breakdowns are frequent and lines may be closed for several weeks due to maintenance.
Engineless pirogues or lakanas (dugout canoes), whether on rivers or the sea, are frequently used in areas with no road network. They can easily be hired, along with a boatman, but the ride can be quite rough. Cargo boats are also used to travel around, but generally they do not have a schedule.
Several local airlines offer charter flights connecting most areas of the country (generally through Antananarivo), although internal flights are often unreliable.

Airlines

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

Travelling By Yourself

Recommendation

Of Madagascar’s approximately 50,000 km of roads, only 6,000 are sealed, and many of those are in poor conditions (especially during the rainy season). Due to the often-difficult driving conditions, most rental agencies make hiring a driver compulsory with their vehicles.
If driving independently, keep in mind that driving is on the right-hand side, police checkpoints are frequent, an International Driving Licence is required and drivers must be aged 23 or over and have had a driving licence for at least a year. Fuel shortages are frequent, so it is recommendable to take extra fuel in case of longer trips.
Prices for a car are typically MGA 100,000 to 150,000 per day; for a 4WD MGA 150,000 to 250,000 per day. If hiring a driver, the price agreed generally includes the driver's food and board allowance, while fuel is extra.

Road Maps

Detailed map of Madagasca
Ezilon - Madagascar road network

Find an Itinerary

Via Michelin Madagascar

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.

Tourism Organisations

Madagascar Tourism

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.

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.