Visiting Madagascar can feel like an adventure into the unknown. It’s a story repeated again and again: Madagascar is utterly unlike any country you’ve ever visited before. It’s a country that combines world-class luxury resorts with gems that are situated – barely known to the outside world – down a long and winding dirt track. And everything else in between. As you can imagine, in such a place a little inside knowledge, and even more planning, can go a long way. What follows are our top tips for visiting and exploring this remarkable country.
1. Security
You’ll find the Madagascar is a safe place to travel. The World Travel & Tourism Council awarded Madagascar with the Safe Travels Stamp, which recognizes it on the international scene as a safe destination. Similar to many European and Nordic countries, the Madagascar ranks among the 45 safest nations in the Global Peace Index. You’ll find there’s also a modern healthcare system in place. Madagascar is not one of the countries at high risk of insecurity but like everywhere “prudence is mother of safety”. As with any developing country petty crime does exist, particularly in the large urban areas, this is generally limited to snatch theft. We recommend that clients leave valuables in their hotel safe and do not wear jewellery in markets or busy places. Incidents of violent crime against tourists are rare and in general Madagascar is a country in which visitors rightly feel very safe.
2. Health &Hygiene
No vaccine is required.
Yellow Fever certificates are required by those who have been in the countries for more than 5 days and arriving from a yellow fever endemic country (such as Kenya or Tanzania). A full medical insurance is highly recommended.
Don’t drink tap water, you can buy bottled water at the restaurants or at the shops. Indigestion is common which is mainly caused by the change of diet or change of climate. For a new traveller to the tropical travel a sensitive stomach can cause discomfort. We always advise you to follow your doctor’s recommendation.
Madagascar does not require a high level of fitness, but be mindful that the wildlife viewing will be done on foot and may require walking for several hours at a time.
3. Essentials
Visa and Passport: Visas can be obtained on arrival (115,000 Ariary or €35) for 30 days or less. In urgent situations get your visas sorted with iVisa. All major currencies are accepted. A passport valid for at least 6 months with 2 free pages is required. A return ticket is mandatory.
Time Zone: GMT +3. Therefore – 7 hours in Canada and the United States, 3 hours in winter and – 2 hours in summer for the UK, + 6 hours in Japan and South Korea, and + 8 hours in Australia.
Phone: + 261 Wi-Fi: All hotel and mobile
Electricity: 220V, European standard
4. Language
Malagasy is the official language, almost spoken by the whole population. She is part of the family of Malayo-Polynesian languages, like the Indonesian she comes from. The French language is also a language spoken throughout the island; you will have no trouble making you understand. In rural areas it is common for only Malagasy to be spoken therefore our guides are highly recommended. A few words of Malagasy are always helpful:
Hello – Manahoana [Manauna] or Salama
Thank you – Misaotra [Misaucha]
Excuse me – Azafady
Goodbye – Veloma [Veluma]
5.Getting Around
By Air: The main way to travel within Madagascar is by air. Private charter flights can be arranged to selected airfields.
Road Transport: Take it Mora-Mora. Do not be mislead by the distances, it really takes time to get around here. Mind that majority of the roads in Madagascar are unpaved. Paved roads suffer damages in each rainy season and potholes develop rapidly. A “fast” road can become a slow one.
Traveling by road during darkness is safety. During the day it is completely safe to travel by road, however don’t forget that days are very short in Madagascar! Throughout the year it’s getting dark around 18:00. Self drive is not recommended for safety reason. Getting around is always better in car with our local guide or driver/guide who knows the area well. GPS in NOT always reliable, as it very often doesn’t take into account the state of the roads. Often cattle herds can slow down the pace – journey time will always vary.
The roads connecting the capital city Antananarivo with Tulear (RN7), Tamatave (RN2), Majunga (RN4), Diego Suarez (RN6), Morondava (RN34/35) and Manakara (RN25) are largely in good condition.
How long it takes to get there from Antananarivo by land:
The Avenue of the Baobabs (West): 1-2 days
Isalo National Park (South): 2 days
Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park (West): 2-3 days
Nosy Be or Diego Suarez (north): 2-3 days
Sainte Marie Island (east): 2 days
6. Money
The local currency is called Ariary (MGA) (1 EUR= ~ 4740. US$1 = ~ 4580 Ariary). Euro or US dollars are the recommended currencies for changing into Ariary. VISA credit/debit cards or cash is best. As the Malagasy currency is not convertible, it is advisable to change your money as the need arises. Banks and exchange offices in the city, airports, shopping malls or big hotels are the only ones authorized to carry out foreign exchange transactions.
7. Food planning
Madagascar may not be known as a culinary destination. In fact, it’s all too easy to travel around the country and eat international dishes in tourist hotels and restaurants without ever really sampling the local tastes. Sharing a meal is a great way to meet the locals. If you’re here on a tour, let your tour operator know in advance that local food is a factor.
Even a cursory attempt at picking out the local dishes from a menu crowded with tourist fare can make a difference to your culinary experience. Along the coast, gravitate towards the seafood (octopus salad anyone?), and if you see foza sy hena-kisoa (stir-fried crab, lobster and pork cooked in lime juice and ginger), order it. Inland, it just has to be zebu (the local wild and domesticated cattle) cooked in all manner of forms, included the stew-like romazava, the national dish, or tilapia (a freshwater fish). And how would you know, if no one told you, that Antananarivo is quietly famous for its pastry shops?
8. Etiquette in Madagascar
Madagascar’s diverse people have an extraordinarily rich cultural life, with some fascinating rite-of-passage ceremonies occupying a privileged place in the calendar for local people. But these are driven by deeply held beliefs and are not performances for tourists: you should only attend such a ceremony if expressly invited, and never take pictures without asking. If you’re traveling with a guide, ask them (or a trusted local) to explain some of the intricate local social and cultural taboos (fady) that relate to food, behavior and certain times of the year. And never point or bend your finger to indicate direction, considered rude – use the palm of your hand instead.
Locals, especially those who work in tourism, won’t expect you to get everything right. But at least trying to get it right goes a long way to breaking down barriers between you and local people.
Some customs are easier to fulfil. Greetings are considered important – when meeting a local for the first time, take the time to greet them warmly (follow your lead from them as to whether to shake hands) and ask how they are, how their family is, and so on. And if you’re lucky enough to be invited to someone’s home, bring rice or a bottle of rum for your hosts. Always carry photo ID, such as a passport or driver’s licence. Police may ask you for it, especially if you’re out late at night.
In Madagascar, it’s illegal to:
take photos of military installations or airports
wear military-style clothing
export protected plants or animals without approval
export gemstones or vanilla for a commercial purpose without a permit.
Paying for sex is illegal. Fines range between 1500 and 7000 euros or prison sentences up to 10 years. Strict laws have been implemented against sexual abuse of children 17 years old and under, especially if foreigners are involved. Some underage sex workers may carry fake IDs, putting you at risk of prosecution or blackmail.
Illegal drugs
Illegal drug use (no matter what the drug) carries stiff penalties, including fines and long prison terms.
9. Luggage on flights
t may happen that your luggage gets lost in the airport of Paris or other airports during transit flight luggage handling. If this should happen, your bags or suitcases will arrive in Madagascar a few days later. So it is recommended to put your very important stuff and some clothes in your hand luggage. Please also put all your personally needed medicaments in your hand luggage, if necessary, with an attestation of your doctor, as if your checked in luggage gets lost, it can take up to 5 days or more until you’ll receive it, when you are already in the provinces. From international flights or other transit airports and on your connecting flights, you are sometimes allowed to have 32 kg of luggage allowance and some airlines give now 2 x 23 kg per person. But be cautious: the luggage allowance on domestic flights is 20 kg only (or 30 kg in the Privilege class). Hand luggage allowance is 5 kg on domestic flights (10 kg in Privilege class). Please note that you can’t take wooden objects in your hand luggage, please put them in your luggage for check in.
10. Restrictions
It should be remembered that the import and export of fauna and flora products prohibited by the Washington Convention is prohibited.
Certain items require special authorisation to be imported and exported, such as precious woods, agricultural products, precious metals and jewellery, arms and ammunition, and domestic animals.
For non-residents, an export declaration is required for precious metals and hallmarked jewellery whose total weight exceeds 1 kg.
11. Safety for LGBTQ+ travellers
Same-sex relationships are legalfor people over 21.
As an LGBTQ+ traveller, you can feel safe visiting Madagascar, especially when travelling with discretion. Larger towns and tourist areas tend to be more open-minded than rural regions. We recommend respecting local customs and keeping interactions low-key in public spaces.
12. For a Good Cause
We encourage guests not to give sweets or money to local children. If you feel you wish to help local schoolchildren, you can donate school materials, note books, pens, pencils, colouring equipment, sports equipment, etc.
13. Start Planning Your Madagascar Holiday
Get in touch with one of our experts to help tailor-make a trip to Madagascar that’s right for you.