Touring in Madagascar

»Why Madagascar?

»Currency an change

»Courtesy and customs

»Virtual tours of Madagascar

»What to bring?

»Post and telecommunications

»The tourist season

»Food and drink

»Radios/TV , daily newspapers

»Getting there

»The national/ public holidays

»Shopping

»Administrative formalities

»Standard time

»The malagasy language

»Health

»Working hours

»Laws protecting children

1. Why Madagascar ???

Madagascar, also called the naturalists' paradise, is a true botanical garden where can be seen a large variety of plants and animals whose major parts (cf table below) are specific to the island. The extreme diversity of the Malagasy relief and climate plays a large part in this exceptional fauna and flora.

Table The endemic species in Madagascar  (endemism index of 2000)

                               Source : Ministry of Environment

When the Island broke away from the African continent around 160 million years ago, mammals were still at a primary  evolution stage. Some of them crossed the Mozambic channel which was still narrow at that time. Later, the channel widened and the species which found refuge in the island did not have any more reasons to evolve. In the absence of large predators and thanks to a dense forest which ensures an abundant food to them, the original fauna could preserve its primitive characteristic. In the African continent, many species became exctinct while others evolved to adapt to their environment. It is the case of the monkeys, the descendants of the lemurs, ancestral primates which still exist in Madagascar. Thus, a great number of the animals identified in the island nowdays appear like true alive fossils.

Madagascar, unlike the African continent, doesn't have any monkeys, deer and elephants ; but it has the most primitive and strange specimens. Contrary to other tropical countries, no dangerous animal is found in this country.

But the natural balance which supports this fauna and flora becomes threatened by the disastrous action of men (deforestation, bushfire) and the damaging effects of the climate (global warming). To reverse the situation, the Government with the support of International Organizations created many protected areas everywhere in the island.

2.  Virtual tours of Madagascar

Experience Madagascar without leaving home. See views of many Madagascar's most popular and exciting sightseeing locations right from your computer screen. 

3. The tourist season in Madagascar

For climatic reasons tourists prefer the inter-season (April -  May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December) for their less excessive temperatures and rains. But considering the table below numbers of the tourists do not vary so much for the whole year and I'd go as far as to say that there is no general rule for travelling to Madagascar since each Province has an ideal season which is different from the others:  in July and August, during the high season, it is very pleasant to travel to the South but it is cool in the highlands and raining in the East coast.  January-February-March, the slack season, can prove to be difficult because of the frequent rains and cyclones (even if some tourists appreciate the moist atmosphere emerging from the rainy season) but most of the time a brilliant spring sun shines in the South and the West.  Moreover, tourist areas are not overcrowded and the off-season prices offered by seaside resorts and airline companies are more attractive.  Then it's up to you!!!!!!

Table Arrival of international tourists in Madagascar

                              Source : Ministry of Culture and Tourism

4.  Getting there

The means of transport that can be used to get to Madagascar from Europe and the United States are restricted to planes since the regular sea links have been discontinued. Here are the Websites of some airline companies to which you can buy a ticket or reserve a seat for the island:

http://www.airmadagascar.com

http://www.airfrance.fr

http://www.corsair.fr

http://www.air-austral.com

http://www.flyairlink.com

http://www.airmauritius.fr

On all airlines serving Madagascar there are low and high season rates. Low season is from January to the end of June, and mid September to mid December.

5.  Administrative formalities

a. Visas

A visa is obligatory for any foreigner who wishes to go to Madagascar. The Malagasy Embassies and Consulates deliver tourist visas which are valid for 90 days.  For this purpose, you will be asked the following papers: a valid passport, a return ticket, 4 passeport photos, a quadruplicate application form and visas prices (please ask the amount to the Embassy).

http://www.madagascar-consulate.org/visainfo.html

Websites of the Malagasy Embassies and Consulates:

1° France: http://www.ambassade-madagascar.fr

Lyon: http://www.consmadalyon.com

Moulins:http://www.consulatmad.org

2°United States: http://embassy.org/madagascar

3° Great-Britain: http://www.madagascar.org.uk

or Embassy of Madagascar, 8-10 Hallam Street

London W1W 6JE

Tel : 020 3008 4550

Fax : 020 3008 4551

e-mail : embamadlon@yahoo.co.uk

4° Canada: http://www.madagascar-embassy.ca

5° South Africa: http://www.madagascarconsulate.org.za

6° Belgium: http://www.ambassademadagascar.be

7° Germany: http://www.botschaft-madagaskar.de

8° Switzerland: http://www.madagascar-diplomatie.ch

9° Russia: http://www.ambamadagascar.ru

Please find in this website the location and contact information for the Diplomatic Representation of the Republic of Madagascar wordwide.

http://www.madagascar-consulate.org/embassies-world.html

Once in the island, a two months visa extension is usually easy to obtain.

b. Customs formalities

At the airport, you will be asked to open your luggage for a simple glance rather than for a meticulous search. However, no-one is spared the currency declaration (only for an amount above 7 500 Euro) to which each newcomer is subjected.  This procedure which is not very tedious, aims at controlling foreign exchange markets and fighting against black markets. All the sums you have (cash, travellers' cheques) must be registered on a form (a form for recording all exchange transactions including credit card payments) which you will keep with you during your stay. The authorized bank or hotel will indicate the amount of each exchange transaction on it.  When leaving the territory, you will have to declare the sum of currencies remaining in your possession.  It must be equal to the amount announced when entering the country minus those converted, thus preventing any exchange transaction out of official circuits (except the smart one who would not have declared the totality of the money in their possession on arrival).  Departure controls are not systematic but exist even if they very seldom go as far as body search.

You should have in mind that the Malagasy currency i.e. the Ariary is not exportable (except some banknotes which you can bring back from your trips as a souvenir) and any currency exchanged must be spent in the island. Nevertheless, you should keep some cash to pay the airport tax.  Some products are subjected to export restrictions and  require special permits from the concerned Department: the National Forestry Section for weever plants, the Plant health Section for dried fruits, vegetables and plants, the Ministry of Trade for raw stones.

However, customs officers will be very strict on some prohibited products like endemic plants and animals: orchids, live or stuffed lemurs, crocodiles, tortoises, authentic and rare objects (aloalo, fossils...).

c. Insurance

It would be wiser to have insurance for medical expenses in the island or for repatriation in the event of a serious health problem. Sometimes, this is included in the price of the plane ticket or the services provided by some Insurance Agencies in your country.  You should check this in the contract clauses.  If need be, it is always possible to get help from Consular Agency, Doctors, and hospitals... in the Island.

6.  Health

No specific vaccine is obligatory when leaving Europe or the United States.  However, it would be wiser to be up to date as regards prevention against some diseases like tetanus, diphteria, and typhoid...

As you travel in a tropical country, it would be best to have with you an anti-paludic treatment because the risk of paludism always exists in coastal areas, especially in the Eastern coastline.  It is  however rare in the dry areas of the South. Avoiding mosquitos remains, of course, the most effective precaution, knowing that the anophèle – the principal vector of the paludism – pricks only  with fallen the night, the use of repulsive creams and mosquito nets is also advised.  Before  leaving, ask council to your doctor so that he you prescribes the drug more adapted.

Downtown, various current medicines such as analgesics, syrups, eye lotions, antibiotics, anti-diarrhoea are available in each pharmacy. Most of the  time, they are imported from Europe. Medical practices are also abundant in the country's urban centres. In each Province, there are always  hospitals to assist those with a serious health problem.

7.  Currency and changes

The Malagasy monetary unit is the Ariary (Ar.). It is inconvertible on the international market. There are 10.000 Ariary, 5.000 Ariary, 2.000 Ariary, 1.000 Ariary, 500 Ariary, 200 Ariary, and 100 Ariary banknotes.

There are 50 Ariary, 20 Ariary, 10 Ariary, 5 Ariary, 4 Ariary, 2 Ariary, and 1 Ariary in coins.

You should visit the following site for the exchange rate:

Central Bank of Madagascar: http://www.banque-centrale.mg

You should get a lot of cash before leaving the main cities since the Malagasy banking network is not very concentrated inside the country and the use of credit cards is limited to some large hotels and luxury shops.

8.  What to bring when touring in Madagascar?

Given the range of temperature inside the island, you should take along some hot clothing in addition to the usual light and ventilated ones necessary to your comfort under these latitudes.

Sport shoes such as jogging or tennis are necessary to travel the length and breadth of the current Malagasy paths. A pair of light sandals is an essential extra for the comfort of your feet. A hat and a pair of sunglasses are quite important accessories.  If you do not want to burden yourself with them, the local production is largely varied and within everybody's means.

9.  Food and drink

When visiting the island, you should take the opportunity to try the Malagasy gastronomy: you can satisfy your curiosity either in a gourmet restaurant or in a cheap eating place called "gargote" which serves simple and authentic foods. The street, with its groups of hawker, is an important place of discovery which is not to be neglected.

Rice is the staple food for the Malagasy people. There are several varieties of it in the country; the " red " one is the tastiest and appears among the best in the world. Whatever your dish, rice will be its accompaniment throughout your travel.  Don't miss the opportunity of drinking the "ranovola" or rice-based beverage!!!

10.  The National and public holidays

The public holidays in the Gregorian calendar are scrupulously respected in the country. Other significant historical dates are also celebrated with a public holiday:

29^th March: commemoration of the March 29^th, 1947 martyrs.

26^th June:  Independence day.

11.  Standard time

The time difference between France and Madagascar is negligible:  + 1 hour during the French summer time  (it is 09. 00 in Paris when it is 10. 00 in Antananarivo), + 2 hours during the winter time (it is 09. 00 in Paris when it is 11. 00 in Antananarivo).

12.  Working hours

Offices are open from 08. 00 to 12. 00 in the morning and from 14. 00 to 18. 00 in the afternoon from Monday to Friday but you can rarely find someone in a public service office after 17. 00.  In the Provinces, the resumption of work is shifted towards 15. 00 in the afternoon because of the hot season.

13.  Courtesy and customs

The Malagasy people are naturally courteous, irreverent or even obsequious. Customary courtesies are copied from the European way of life and no particular rule is called for. Take care to thank and greet somebody systematically, if possible in Malagasy, to form relationship with the local people. A handshake is common but is a stamp of solemnity. Most of the time a shaking of the head and an honest smile, with which the Malagasy people are generous, are enough.

The respect and obedience to the elderly or a person of a higher rank lies at the very heart of any human relationship. For the Malagasy people, each foreigner and eminent person will be the people to whom they owe respect and they expect the same from you in return.  In any small village, your presence will be often regarded as an event arousing curiosity and fear. Moreover, it is always necessary to inquire about the taboos (fady) in force before visiting a place. These taboos are very specific: pork is forbidden after such limit, one must not pass in front of such stone, it is taboo to point its finger on such place...