Airports
Antananarivo (TNR) is 17km (11 miles) from the city. To/from the airport: Taxis asking special higher rates are available at the airport. Air Madagascar provide a regular bus service to Antananarivo. Facilities: Restaurant, bureau de change and car hire.
Further airports are at Arivonimamo (international standby airport), which is 45km (28 miles) 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).
Banking in Madagascar
Banks open Monday to Friday opening from 0800 hours to 1100 hours and from 1400 hours to 1600hours
Climate of Madagascar
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.
Clothing for Madagascar Travel
Lightweights are worn during the summer on high central plateau and throughout the year in the north and south. Warmer clothes are advised for during the evenings and winter in mountainous areas. Rainwear is advisable.
Use of Credit Cards in Madagascar
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted at top-end hotels in Tana and the provincial capitals. These and other cards have limited use elsewhere in the country. There are a few ATMs in Antananarivo.
Traveller's Cheques
These can be exchanged in banks and major hotels. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in Euros or US Dollars.
Visa and Passport Regulations for Madagascar Travel
All visitors must have a visa to enter Madagascar. Visas can be arranged in advance at any Malagasy embassy or consulate for the equivalent of about €29/34 for single/multiple entry. One-month, single-entry visas are available on arrival at Ivato airport in Antananarivo (about €30) – but get an update on the situation before arriving without one. Visas are valid for up to three months from the date of entry and must be used within six months of the date of issue.
As long as you have not exceeded the normal three-month maximum, visas can be extended at the immigration office in Antananarivo or any provincial capital. You will need to supply between two to four passport-size photos as well as a copy of your return air or boat ticket. A one-month extension costs about €21 and can take several days to process.
Currency of Madagascar
The pre-colonial Ariary (MGA) has been reintroduced to replace the Malagasy Franc (MGF). Notes are in denominations of MGA10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200 and 100. Coins are in denominations of MGA 50, 20, 10 and 5.
Customs and Excise Regulations - Madagascar
The following goods can be imported into Madagascar without incurring customs duty by persons 21 years of age and over:
500 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 500g of tobacco; one bottle of alcoholic beverage.
All perfume is subject to duty. All vegetables must be declared and import permit received before travel. Animals need a detailed veterinary certificate. Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies. Arms and ammunition require an exit permit. Tourists should be aware that many items on sale may have been manufactured illegally and may not be taken out of the country, with or without a permit.
Drinking Water in Madagascar
All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Driving and Road Travel
Traffic drives on the right. Car hire: This 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: Available from several companies in Madagascar. Documentation: A national driving license is sufficient.
Electricity
Mostly 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are generally two-pin.
Emergency Numbers
Office National du Tourisme de Madagascar (ONTM)
Tel: (20) 226 6085.
Currency Exchange in Madagascar
Currency can be bought only at banks and official bureaux de change in hotels and at the airport in Antananarivo. Hotels have a less favorable exchange rate. The Ariary is a non-convertible currency and cannot be exchanged back into tradable currency. Therefore it is a good idea to exchange currency as required.
Health Issues in Madagascar
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers arriving from, or having passed through, an area considered by the Malagasy authorities to be infected within six days; enquire at Embassy.
A cholera vaccination certificate is recommended for travelers arriving from, or having passed through, an area considered by the Malagasy authorities to be infected; enquire at Embassy.
Immunization against typhoid and poliomyelitis is often recommended.
Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists all year throughout the country and is highest in coastal areas. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported. The recommended prophylaxis is mefloquine.
Hospital and Clinics
Health insurance is strongly recommended; it should include cover for emergency repatriation. Private and public healthcare is available, but public facilities can be very limited. It is highly recommended that visitors bring medication for stomach upsets.
Languages of Madagascar
The official languages are Malagasy (which is related to Indonesian) and French. Local dialects are also spoken. Very little English is spoken.
Public Holidays in Madagascar
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
29 Mar Commemoration of the 1947 Rebellion.
9 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labor Day.
17 May Ascension Day.
26 Jun Independence Day.
15 Aug Assumption Day.
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
Public Transport in Madagascar
Bus: A flat fare is charged, irrespective of the distance traveled. Services can be unreliable and buses tend to be crowded. Taxi: Flat fares apply 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. Rickshaw: The pousse-pousse (rickshaw) takes passengers except where traffic or gradient renders it impractical. Prices are not controlled and vary according to distance. Stagecoach: A few covered wagons continue to take passengers in Antananarivo.
Safety and Security
Most visits to Madagascar are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
Travelers should avoid driving outside urban areas after dark, as there have been armed robberies at night on some of the major roads.
The cyclone season in Madagascar normally runs from January to March, coastal areas are particularly affected.
Travelling throughout Madagascar is not inherently dangerous. Petty theft is the main risk – do not keep your valuables in a pack or external money belt, and watch your pockets when in crowded areas. To avoid getting into trouble with the police, carry your passport with you at all times (a photocopy will not be sufficient).
Shopping in Madagascar
Handicrafts include lamba (traditional squares of cloth in various designs and woven materials); zafimaniny marquetry, which is applied to furniture, chessboards and boxes; silverwork such as mahafaly crosses and vangavanga bracelets; jewelry made from shells and precious stones; items woven from reeds, raffia and straw; antemore paper decorated with dried flowers; and embroidery. All products incorporating Malagasy flora or fauna (including dried flowers) often require export permits (see Duty Free section).
Telecommunications
Communications: The international dialing code for Madagascar is +261. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). To make an international call to Madagascar, the dialing code of 261 must be followed by a two-digit operator code (e.g. 20 for TELMA, the most reliable), then the regional code (e.g. 22 for Antananarivo) and then the five-digit number. A GSM 900 network is in use, covering major cities and main roads. Public Internet access exists in large cities; there are a few Internet cafes in Antananarivo.
Country code: 261, followed by a two-digit number for an access provider, but a standard dialing code is expected to be introduced soon. After the international and access codes, numbers should be seven digits including two initial digits for the geographical area. The cheapest way to make phone calls is to use a telephone card and call from a telephone booth. Telephone cards can be purchased at post offices and most hotels.
Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Coverage reaches major cities and main roads.
Internet Access
Public Internet access exists in large cities; there are a few Internet cafes in Antananarivo.
Time
Madagascar is on GMT + 3 timezone
Tipping
Tipping: Not customary, although waiters expect 10 per cent of the bill. In European-style hotels and restaurants, the French system of tipping is followed. One should also tip in Chinese and Vietnamese establishments.