Madagascar travel information
Getting There
Madagascar has one international airport, Antananarivo. There are domestic airports and airfields that connect major towns and safari destinations. The national airline is Air Madagascar. Depending on your arrival time, you may require a night in Antananarivo.
Passport and Visas
You need a current passport with 6 months validity from the date you return home and two blank pages, a return air ticket, and a tourist visa. Visas are available on arrival for euro 35 per person, plus a euro 10 per person tourism tax.
Weather and Climate
The climate of Madagascar is subtropical, with a hot and rainy season between November and April (summer), and a cooler dry season from May to October (winter). However, there is a big temperature variation depending on altitude and geographical position. The west coast is drier than the east coast, whilst the far south and south-west is a semi-desert region that experiences very little rainfall.
Getting Around
Most of our itineraries involve road transfers with a private guide and 4×4 vehicle, and regional flights between distant destinations. Keep in mind that road conditions can slow you down.
Health
Consult your GP or a travel doctor at least 6 weeks before you travel. You may be required or recommended to get vaccinations for yellow fever, typhoid and hepatitis A & B, among others. Malaria is present in Madagascar, so malaria prophylactics are recommended.
Currency
The local currency is the Malagasy ariary and euro is widely accepted. US dollars are sometimes accepted in hotels. Exchanging money on the streets is illegal, so please only exchange money at official currency exchange offices or the banks. Most major credit cards are starting to be accepted in hotels; however it is limited.
Language
Malagasy and French are the two official languages in Madagascar. English is spoken in some areas and among the tourism industry. Additionally, there are 18 tribes in Madagascar each with its own dialect.
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