Madagascar Travel Guide

Full Name

Republic of Madagascar

Former Name

Malagasy Republic

Capital City

Antananarivo

Government Type

republic

Area Size

total: 587,040 sq km

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +3 hours

Climate

Hot and subtropical climate, colder in the mountains. Rainy season: November to March. Dry season: April to October. The south and west regions are hot and dry. Monsoons bring storms and cyclones to the east and north from December to March. The mountains, including Antananarivo, are warm and thundery from November to April and dry, cool and windy the rest of the year.

Geography

Madagascar is an island in the Indian Ocean, off the eastern coast of southern Africa, east of Mozambique. The highest point is Maromokotro, in the Tsaratanana Massif region in the north of the island, at 2,876 m. The capital, Antananarivo, is in the Hauts Plateaux near the centre of the island. It has a total area of 587,040 km², with 581,540 km² of land, and 5,500 km² of water. Madagascar originated as part of the Gondwana supercontinent. Its east coast was formed when Africa broke off from Gondwana around 165 million years ago. Madagascar eventually broke off from India about 65 million years ago.

Languages

French (official), Malagasy (official)

Culture

Cultural traditions in Madagascar are distinctly Malagasy. Rich traditions of folklore, funeral rituals, stone and wood carvings, and public performances that combine oratory, music, and dance are widespread in Madagascar.

History

Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1896, but regained its independence in 1960. During 1992-93, free presidential and National Assembly elections were held, ending 17 years of single-party rule. In 1997, in the second presidential race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s, was returned to the presidency. The 2001 presidential election was contested between the followers of Didier RATSIRAKA and Marc RAVALOMANANA, nearly causing secession of half of the country. In April 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA the winner.

Travel Information

Madagascar’s national airline is Air Madagascar (MD). Antananarivo (TNR) is 17km from the city. Taxis asking special higher rates are available at the airport. Air Madagascar provide a regular bus service to Antananarivo. Airport facilities are Restaurant, bureau de change and car hire. Further airports are at Arivonimamo (international standby airport), which is 45km from the capital, Mahajanga (links to East Africa and the Comoro Islands), Nossi Bé (links to the Seychelles) and Toamasina (links to Mauritius and Réunion islands). Main port: Toamasina. International tour operators promote Madagascar as a stopping place on extended cruises of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. Expensive private cruises can be arranged from Europe and the USA.

Accommodation

Since hotel development is in its early stages, some areas are better served than others, notably the capital Antananarivo, Nossi Bé and Toamasina. However, recent projects aimed at increasing the number of international-standard establishments have led to the opening of national tourism centres where good- to medium-standard accommodation is now available at moderate prices. As well as classified or classifiable accommodation, group and youth lodging is available. European-style accommodation is scarce outside the larger towns, and those visiting remote areas should travel with an open mind.

Visa Requirements

Visas required by all nationals of the EU, Australia, Canada and USA except: transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. Return or onward tickets are required; otherwise a deposit must be paid before arriving in Madagascar, which is equivalent to the cost of a flight to the country of origin. Nationals not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. Passports valid for six months after date of entry required by all nationals referred to above. Visas are issued for stays of up to 90 days and are valid for six months from date of issue. Apply to Consulate (or consular section at embassy). Some nationalities are able to get a visa at Antananarivo airport on arrival; however it is strongly recommended to obtain a visa prior to this. Contact the embassy for further information before departure.

Getting Around

Most of Madagascar can be reached by air, the exceptions being a few towns in the central highlands. Air Madagascar flies to numerous locations throughout the island and offers a 50% discount on domestic flights to passengers using the airline to travel to Madagascar. Madagascar has a strong maritime tradition and there are many coastal transport services. Rapids render many of the rivers unnavigable; local tour operators can organise small-boat safaris on the Betsiboka and the Tsiribihina. The Pangalanes Canal runs for almost 600km along the east coast. Much of it is currently too clogged with silt for commercial traffic; the tourist board can arrange sailing holidays. There are five railway links on the island. Antananarivo to Toamasina and Fianarantsoa to Manakara. Other links are Antananarivo to Antsirabe and Moramaga to Lake Alaotra. The only regular passenger rail service runs from Antananarivo to Moramanga and Lake Alaotra. Services leave every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, returning on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Children under four years old travel free. Children aged four to six years old pay half fare. Traffic drives on the right. Tarred roads of varying quality link the main towns in the central highlands and continue to the most populous parts of the east and northwest coasts. There is a new route from Antananarivo to Toliara which has reduced travel time between these destinations from three to two days. A flat fare is charged for bus services, irrespective of the distance travelled. Services can be unreliable and buses tend to be crowded. Flat fares applies for taxis except in Antananarivo and Fianarantsoa, where fare is calculated according to whether the ride is confined to the ‘lower town’ or goes on to the ‘upper town’. There are two types of taxi: the taxi-be, which is quick and comfortable, and the taxi-brousse (bush taxi), which is cheaper, slower, makes more stops and generally operates on cross-country routes. Fares should be agreed in advance and tipping is unnecessary. The pousse-pousse (rickshaw) takes passengers except where traffic or gradient renders it impractical. Prices are not controlled and vary according to distance. Car hire is not widespread and car hire agencies can only be found in the main tourist towns. It is advisable to make enquiries in advance about insurance requirements for car hire. Motorbike hire is Available from several companies in Madagascar.

Health & Safety

Malaria is a risk throughout the year and is highest on the coast; resistance to chloroquine is reported. Cases of dengue fever and chikungunya fever have been reported in 2006, and are transmitted by mosquitoes. Vaccinations are recommended against Hepatitis A and typhoid, and all travellers coming from a country with yellow fever require inoculation against the disease. Other risks include bilharzia, tuberculosis, rabies and bubonic plague; HIV/AIDS is prevalent. Dysenteries and diarrhoeal diseases are common and precautions with food and water should be taken. Tap water should not be drunk unless it has been boiled or chemically treated. It is recommended that travellers bring antibiotics and anti-diarrhoeal drugs in case of severe diarrhoea. Medical facilities are limited, and outside of the capital medical care may be difficult to find. Limited French medications are available in Tana and it is advisable to bring along a medical kit for private use. Comprehensive medical insurance is advised. Generally visits to Madagascar are trouble-free, but precautions against opportunistic crime, especially in the urban areas, should be taken. Pickpockets operate at the airport and in crowded areas such as markets. At night, avoid walking around city centres and road travel outside urban areas as there have been occasional hold-ups on the main routes. The height of the cyclone season is from January to March and affects the coastal regions.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year's Day. 29 Mar - Commemoration of the 1947 Rebellion. 9 Apr - Easter Monday. 1 May - Labour Day. 17 May - Ascension Day. 26 Jun - Independence Day. 15 Aug - Assumption Day. 1 Nov - All Saints' Day. 25 Dec - Christmas Day.

Currency

Malagasy Ariary (MGA)

Electricity

220v AC

Working Hours

Office hours: Mon-Fri 8.00am - 4.30pm.