Catering and accommodation

The quality of your accommodation can vary from a modest room, for instance during a homestay program, to a 5-star luxury hotel, depending on your budget.

As for the catering, there are various types of dishes and the Malagasy culinary art will amaze you. For a more authentic trip, do not hesitate to taste our succulent traditional meals which are among the most exquisite in the world.

A meal usually costs between 6 and 15 Euros in a restaurant or a hotel, and between 2 and 5 Euros in a small restaurant.

Visa

Visa is mandatory and can be issued upon your arrival at Ivato international airport, but also at the embassy or consulates of Madagascar in your country. Foreigners who wish to stay up to 3 months are considered as “non-immigrants”.

Then, they have to provide the following documents:

– An original passport signed and valid for more than 6 months after the end of te trip

– A copy of the return air ticket

– The visa fee to be paid in cash :

• 35 Euros or 37 US Dollars for a stay less than or equal to 1 month
• 40 Euros or 45 US Dollars for a stay more than one month and not exceeding two months
• 50 Euros or 55 US Dollars for a stay of 61 to 90 days.

These rates are subject to change without notice by the competent authorities, therefore, you should check the information at the embassy or consulates of Madagascar in your country before your departure.

We strongly recommend you to make photocopies of your travel documents : passport, visa, air ticket, travel insurance, etc.

Customs provisions

The below list is not exhaustive and the information may be modified at any time by the Malagasy customs administration. Therefore, we advise you to check the regulations on the website of Madagascar customs, before your arrival.

– Purchase of prohibited articles: endangered species (fosa, ankoay, lemur, boa, red frog, turtle, orchids, …), and drugs (heroin, cocaine, …).

– Goods to declare: gems and precious stones (gold, sapphire, …)

– Amount in foreign currency to declare: from 7500 euros.

International flight

The airlines that serve Madagascar are : Air Austral, Air France, Air Madagascar, Air Mauritius, Seychelles, Corsair, Ethiopian Airlines, Ewa Air, Kenya Airways, Meridiana, Neos Spa flights, South African Airlink and Turkish Airlines.

Domestic flight

In general, a trip in Madagascar includes at least one domestic flight.

Each passenger is allowed 20kg of checked baggage and 5kg of hand luggage with Madagascar Airlines.

Tickets can be purchased on their website using Mastercard or Visa.

Health

Compulsory vaccination: none, EXCEPT yellow fever vaccination for a trip to or from an inter-tropical region of Africa planned before or after your stay in Madagascar.

Recommended vaccinations: Covid-19, malaria, typhoid, hepatitis A and B.

Do not drink tap water and never eat in a restaurant, if you deem it has poor hygiene.

Other requirements: https://madagascar-tourisme.com/Fr-fr/border-reopening/

Security

–  Follow carefully the instructions of your guide and driver.

– Avoid walking around at night.

– Do not walk around with high-priced items, especially in some areas of Antananarivo and Tamatave.

– Do not carry a lot of money or at least avoid putting all the cash in one place.

Climate

The temperature varies depending on your location in Madagascar.

However, there are two main seasons: the austral summer from November to March, which is rainy ; and the austral winter, from April to October, which is dry.

Finally, please note that in the Southern and Northwestern part, the weather is fine all year long. During the austral winter, the temperature in the Highlands is relatively cold.

Time

UTC/GMT+3:00

The time difference between Madagascar and Western Europe is +2:00 in winter, and +1:00 in summer.

Local currency

The Malagasy currency is Ariary (Ar).

Nevertheless, please note that some people can sell you their goods or services by adopting the Malagasy Franc or FMG as a reference. In such a case, bear in mind 1 Ar = 5 FMG.

For foreign exchange transactions, we advise you to go directly to a bank or exchange office, such as the one at Ivato airport. Avoid the black market as it poses risks.

Some hotels accept euros, but local currency is preferred. ATMs in major cities allow cash withdrawals with international cards.

Banks

Most banks in Madagascar accept Visa, MasterCard and Carte Bleue as well as travelers checks.

Communication

Internet: internet connection in big cities is good with a 3G or 4G network

Telephone: there are 3 major operators in Madagascar, namely, YAS, Orange and Airtel.

You can buy a SIM card for less than one euro and, one euro is way enough for an airtime that lasts about one week.

Culture

Respect the “fady” or taboos.

Do not photograph someone without their consent.

Malagasy is the official language in Madagascar, however, there are 18 dialects here. French is the second most spoken language. English is third; many tourism professionals like tour guides, hotelkeepers and travel agents speak this language.

NB: greeting people in Malagasy is very appreciated if you are a tourist. Malagasy people are very hospitable, so we encourage you to salute people in Malagasy by saying “salama” or “manao ahoana”, it will be seen as great gesture of sympathy.

Tips

Tipping people for the good services they performed is a fairly common practice everywhere, though not mandatory.

Electric current

220 V, standard socket.

Items to carry with you

– A pharmacy case

– A rain suit in case it rains

– Warm and/or light clothes depending on your destination

– Walking shoes

– A flashlight

– An anti-mosquito

– A hat

– Sun glasses

– A sunscreen