Travel Tips

Health, travel, financial and other practical information for travellers to Madagascar.

Getting around
Air Madagascar serves 29 domestic airports and landing strips around the island. Because distances are large and the road network is modest, internal flights are often the best option.
The routes from Antananarivo to Tulear on the southwest coast and from Diego Suarez to Ankify on the northwest coast make excellent overland trips.

When to go
Climate is an important consideration. Madagascar’s climate is diverse, ranging from humid and tropical in the eastern region to semi-arid in the south. The hot western lowlands have summer rains only (December – March) and parts of the central highlands are almost temperate. Some places become inaccessible during the rainy season. Cyclones often occur from late January to February. Generally, wildlife viewing is most rewarding from the end August through November.

Group or individual travel?
We run a number of scheduled, small group tours each year, including specialist birding and wildlife tours. We arrange tours for private groups, too.
We specialise in individual, inclusive, customised itineraries. We offer the widest range of destination in Madagascar and can advise which are suitable for your party and dates of travel.

Visas
All visitors need visas. You can obtain a one-month tourist visa on arrival at Ivato International Airport. Alternatively, the Malagasy embassy or consulate issue one- and three-month visas. Further information for travellers from the United States is available from the Madagascar Embassy in Washington, D.C..

Currency
There are about 3700 Ariary to the pound sterling and 2100 to the US dollar.

Money matters
Few hotels accept credit cards. Mastercard cannot be used at all in Madagascar. Take cash and travellers cheques in US$ or euros. You can exchange hard currency at the airport, at Malagasy banks and certain hotels. Malagasy money may not be taken out of the country and can only be exchanged back into hard currency with difficulty.

Power Supply
220V, European 2-prong plugs.

Health
This is a malarial region. Avoid insect bites by wearing long sleeves and trousers and using effective insect repellant, particularly at dusk. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended.
Cholera is present. Never drink unpurified water. Bottled mineral water is readily available throughout the country. Avoid ice cream and yoghurt.
Consult your doctor or travel health clinic for advice and preventive measures.

What to pack
Comfortable, light, casual clothing
Something warm to wear at night in winter, in the desert or the highlands
Comfortable walking shoes with a good grip
Effective insect repellent
Protective clothing and lotion for the tropical sun
Rain wear
Personal toiletries and any personal medication
Headache tablets, something for digestive upsets, disinfectant
Antisceptic wipes
Torch / flashlight with spare batteries
Film and spare camera battery
Strap-on water-bottle for day hikes
Money belt for valuables
Do not take expensive or expensive-looking jewellery to Madagascar

Time
GMT + 3

Customs Allowance
500 cigarettes and 1 litre of alcohol.

Language
Malagasy is the first language. French is the official business language. English is seldom used, but our agents and many of the local reserve guides speak English. If you speak no French, we suggest you take a French phrase book. You can obtain a Malagasy tape and phrase book from Bradt Publications.

13 December, 2005.