madagascar national tourism board

Madagascar Travel Guide: Essential Facts and Information

Madagascar is undoubtedly one of Africa's most fascinating countries, and certainly one of the continent's most unique. An island nation surrounded by the crystalline waters of the Indian Ocean , it's most famous for its incredible flora and fauna - from its charismatic lemurs to its towering baobab trees. Much of the country's wildlife is found nowhere else on Earth, and as such eco-tourism is one of Madagascar's key attractions. It is also home to unspoiled beaches, breathtaking dive sites and a colorful kaleidoscope of local Malagasy culture and cuisine. 

The fourth-largest island on the planet, Madagascar is surrounded by the Indian Ocean and situated off the east coast of Africa. The country's closest mainland neighbor is Mozambique , while other islands in the nearby vicinity include Réunion, the Comoros and Mauritius. 

Madagascar has a total area of 226,660 square miles/587,041 square kilometers. To put that into perspective, it's just less than twice the size of Arizona and similar in size to France. 

Capital City:

Antananarivo

Population:

In July 2017, the CIA World Factbook estimated Madagascar's population at just over 25 million people. 

French and Malagasy are the official languages of Madagascar, with various different dialects of Malagasy spoken throughout the island. French is generally spoken only by the educated classes.

The majority of Madagascans practice either Christian or indigenous beliefs, while a small minority of the population (around 7%) are Muslim. 

The official currency of Madagascar is the Malagasy ariary. For up-to-date exchange rates, check out this helpful conversion site . 

Madagascar's weather changes dramatically from region to region. The east coast is tropical, with hot temperatures and plenty of rain. The highlands of the central interior are cooler and less humid, while the south is the driest region of all. Generally speaking, Madagascar has a cool, dry season (May to October) and a hot, rainy season (November to April). The latter brings frequent cyclones. 

When to Go:

The best time to visit Madagascar is during the May to October dry season, when temperatures are pleasant and precipitation is at its lowest. During the rainy season, cyclones can be a threat to visitor safety. 

Key Attractions

Parc National de L'Isalo

Parc National de L'Isalo offers more than 315 square miles/800 square kilometers of breathtaking arid scenery, complete with fantastic sandstone rock formations, canyons and crystal clear pools perfect for swimming. It is one of Madagascar's most rewarding destinations for hiking. 

The shores of this idyllic island are washed by clear turquoise waters and the air is fragrant with the scent of exotic blooms. It's home to many of Madagascar's most exclusive hotels, and is the destination of choice for wealthy beachgoers wishing to go snorkeling, sailing and scuba-diving. Nosy Be is also one of the best places in Africa to swim with whale sharks .

Avenue of the Baobabs

In Western Madagascar, the dirt road that connects Morondava and Belon'i Tsiribihina is home to a rare botanical spectacle, comprised of dozens of giant baobab trees. Many of these magnificent roadside trees are several hundred years old and over 100 feet/30 meters high. Because the avenue isn't yet part of a national park, you can view the trees for free.

Parc National d'Andasibe-Mantadia

Parc National d'Andasibe-Mantadia combines two separate parks, which together provide one of the best opportunities for a close encounter with Madagascar's largest lemur species, the indri. A total of 13 lemur species live in the park, as well as over 100 bird species, many of them endemic (including the Madagascar yellowbrow and the Madagascar serpent eagle).

Fondly referred to as "Tana", Madagascar's capital city is busy, chaotic and well worth a few days' visit at the beginning or end of your trip. It is a hub of Malagasy culture, known for its colonial architecture, vibrant art scene and surprising number of high-quality gourmet restaurants. Top attractions include the Rova palace complex and Analakely Market.

Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park

Located in the remote northwest, Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park is famous for its astonishing karstic plateaus. These petrified forests are crafted from razor-sharp spires of limestone and can be explored via a series of suspension bridges. Keep an eye out for 11 species of lemur or endemic mammals such as the fossa and falanouc.

Getting There

Madagascar's main airport is Ivato International Airport, located 10 miles/16 kilometers northwest of Antananarivo. The airport is home to Madagascar's national airline, Air Madagascar. From the United States, most flights connect via Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo Airport or Paris, France.  

Non-nationals need a tourist visa to enter Madagascar; however, these can be purchased upon arrival at all international airports or harbors. It is also possible to organize a visa in advance at the Madagascan embassy or consulate in your home country. Check the government's visa information page for more information. 

Medical Requirements

There are no compulsory vaccinations for travelers to Madagascar, however the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends certain vaccines including hepatitis A, typhoid and polio. Depending on the region you plan to visit, anti-malaria medication may be necessary, while visitors travelling from a yellow fever country will need to carry proof of vaccination with them. 

This article was updated by Jessica Macdonald on August 27th 2018. 

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Madagascar National Tourism Board

Madagascar National Tourism Board, or Office National du Tourisme de Madagascar, is the government sponsored tourism organisation of the country. The organisation, which is since 2012 headed by Eric Koller, has 20 regional offices providing information about the country, its nature and attractions to tourists.

Madagascar National Tourism Board Lot IBG 29C Antsahavola – B.P. 1780 101 Antananarivo Madagascar

Tel: +261 20 22 661 15 Fax: +261 20 22 660 98 Email: [email protected]

Website: www.madagascar-tourisme.com

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One year after banning American tourists, Madagascar is welcoming back US travelers

Madagascar is welcoming back U.S. citizens starting Saturday, Oct. 23. 

The island country, located off the coast of East Africa, had banned tourists from the U.S. and a handful of other countries in October 2020. 

To enter under the country’s new travel restrictions, travelers must test negative for COVID within 3 days before boarding and quarantine at an approved hotel at least one night while they wait for the results of a second coronavirus test, according to an Oct. 15 press release from the Madagascar National Tourism Board. If the test comes back positive, the quarantine will be extended another 14 days.   

Regional flights between Madagascar and neighboring Indian Ocean islands, including Mauritius and Reunion Island, were set to launch Saturday. Additional flights from Europe are scheduled to resume service Nov. 6. 

► Thailand travel: Thailand dropping quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated American visitors Nov. 1

Learn more: Best travel insurance

U.S. citizens are among those welcome back, according to the U.S. Embassy in Madagascar and Comoros.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified Madagascar as a destination with low COVID-19 risk . It suggests travelers get fully vaccinated before entering the country.  

► Holiday travel: Could holiday travel be affected by airlines' employee vaccine mandate? What travelers need to know.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Bailey Schulz on Twitter: @bailey_schulz . 

EDITO ITM 2023

The International Tourism fair of Madagascar (ITM), the largest one in the Indian Ocean, is back for its ninth edition.

The ITM is the place to be for all travel lovers and the unmissable meeting point for professionals seeking for new opportunities. It is also the big event for Madagascar to mark its position as the leading tourist destination in the Indian Ocean and southern Africa. Thanks to its international scope, the ITM will see the participation of tourism operators from the «Vanilla Islands» and major international names in tourism during high-level conferences.

Furthermore, a hundred international tour operators will participate in a large famtrip specially planned for this event.

Sustainable tourism at the heart of the event Making tourism a real tool of conservation not for destruction is the vision that revolutionizes this post-pandemic edition. The show will highlight products specially designed to promote the practice of solidarity and responsible tourism in local communities. Immersive experiences will be offered to visitors of the fair.

Key figures of the exhibition ▶ 04 jours d’expositions ▶ A dozen exhibition spaces ▶ More than 300 stands ▶ 30.000 m² of exhibition space ▶ 18,000 visitors expected ▶ 08 restaurants of different specialties ▶ Distributed in the food court ▶ 01 VIP restaurant ▶ 05 conference rooms ▶ About 100 participants ▶ Eductours et voyages de presse ▶ Twenty or so themed conferences of the highest high level

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Madagascar Is Reopening to American Travelers — What to Know Before You Go

Madagascar will reopen its borders to tourists this week.

The island nation of Madagascar will once again welcome Americans, allowing them to experience the country's coastlines, rain forests, lemurs, and more.

Starting Oct. 23, American citizens will be able to enter the country, according to the U.S. Embassy in Madagascar & Comoros. Regional flights will restart on that date, followed by flights from Europe via Air Madagascar and Air France on Nov. 6.

Travelers will have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding their flight, as well as evidence of a hotel booking for at least two nights, according to the Madagascar National Tourism Board . Passengers will also be required to take a PCR test upon arrival (which costs about $29) and isolate until they receive a negative result.

"The reopening of Madagascar's borders will first be partial and then progressive," the tourism board wrote in its statement, adding "security" was the "watchword for the reopening."

Travelers will be allowed to enter if they come from a country with less than 300 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people per week. Currently, the U.S. is seeing a seven-day case rate of about 160 new cases per 100,000 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Madagascar, which sits in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Mozambique in Africa, boasts gorgeous beaches , stunning baobab trees, and a diverse array of wildlife .

The opening comes as several countries around the globe have started easing border restrictions, welcoming back tourists with different testing or vaccination requirements in place. Most recently, Singapore, Chile, and Fiji have started welcoming U.S. tourists or announced plans to do so. And on Nov. 8, the U.S. plans to allow vaccinated foreign citizens to enter.

With travel slowly starting to return, so have prices. According to data from booking site Expedia , while average flight fares hit their lowest levels in December 2020 and January 2021, they're now nearly back to pre-pandemic levels.

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram .

Related Articles

UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer

• 26 Jul 2018

CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY FOR MADAGASCAR

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In February 2018, UNWTO began providing technical assistance to the National Tourism Board of Madagascar to create a Crisis Communications Strategy, by conducting an in-depth review of existing protocols and institutional coordination for crisis communications.

UNWTO is assessing training needs for both public sector and media, and formulating a crisis communications strategy featuring step-by-step protocols, templates for different types of crisis and media to be addressed, guidelines for measuring effectiveness, best practices, and a guide to using social media.

The project, in collaboration with World Bank Madagascar, aims to minimize the impact of crises on a country with a view to doubling international visitor numbers by 2020 from their 2016 level of 293,000. In 2017 Madagascar received 255,000 international arrivals, almost 13% fewer than 2016, due to changing perceptions of security and health risks and media reports on events in the country, such as a four-month plague outbreak.

From the project, UNWTO has learned that some tourism stakeholders in Madagascar have experienced difficulties in managing unpredictable but recurrent crises, as well as in communication methods.

The next step of the project is to present the final version of the Strategy on Crisis Communications in October 2018 to be implemented by the Madagascar National Tourism Board and all the stakeholders involved.

Participants of the training on crisis communication strategy and media relations held in Antananarivo, Madagascar from 11-15 June 2018.

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Madagascar Travel Guide

The 150,000-plus unique wildlife species in Madagascar are a major draw for visitors, with tourism set to continue increasing its contribution to the country’s GDP.

Madagascar is the fourth largest island on the planet and among the most unique places in the world regarding its habitation of people and wildlife. Situated around 400 kilometres to the east of the African continent, the country’s population is primarily related to Indonesian peoples, 4,800 kilometres away, rather than their closest neighbours.

Further complicating the picture is a noticeable French influence resulting from the colonial era.  Madagascar’s incredible wildlife is a huge draw for visitors, the island home to around 150,000 unique species found nowhere else on earth.

The country is awash with national parks and nature reserves, offering awe-inspiring views and glimpses of its biodiversity. Tourists can obtain visas on arrival for a small charge, these covering periods of either 30, 60 or 90 days, with three months the maximum limit and non-extendable. Madagascar’s climate is clearly divisible into two seasons – a hot and rainy period lasting from November to April and a cooler, dry season from May through to October. Much of the island was covered in deciduous forest, but this has been steadily retreating and now predominantly lies in the east and in sporadic pockets in the west. Bamboo trees and prairie grasses dominate much of the country’s land. 

THE BUSINESS END

Until the 1970s, much of Madagascar’s economy was driven by France, which supplied more than half of all imports and received almost half of the island’s exports. Agriculture forms the backbone of the nation’s economy, with strongly emerging sectors such as mining, textiles and tourism aiding its diversification. In 2016, the World Bank measured Madagascar’s GDP at approximately $9.9 billion. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates that around 6.3 percent of Madagascan GDP is derived directly from travel and tourism, rising to 16.6 percent if you add in indirect contributions. In terms of employment this equates to 287,500 direct and 797,000 total jobs being supported by the sector, and the WTTC predicts investment in the industry will rise by 4.1 percent a year over the next decade. 

OUT & ABOUT

Around 94 percent of tourist spending in Madagascar falls under leisure, and much of this derives from visits to Madagascar’s bountiful nature reserves and wildlife parks. Given the country’s huge variety of unique species, it is perhaps surprising to discover that the only large or dangerous animals are crocodiles, with native reptiles such as snakes deemed as harmless. 

Madagascar is also home to some of the world’s most striking plant life, a must-see example being the Avenue of the Baobabs, a promenade of baobab trees lining the dirt road between Morondava and Belon’i Tsiribihina in the Menabe region in the west. It is one of the most raved about sights when seen at sunset.  A trip to Isalo National Park is also a highly-rated activity, so much so it has received an average 4.5-star rating from 500 reviews on TripAdvisor.

Lucky explorers will spot some of Madagascar’s chameleons and 40-plus species of lemur when walking the trails, which can occupy a whole day.  Also noteworthy is Madagascar’s cuisine, encompassing many diverse cultures and traditions brought in from Southeast Asian, African and Chinese populations who have moved to the island since it was inhabited by humans in from around 100 AD. 

TOURISM INSIGHTS: MADAGASCAR NATIONAL TOURISM BOARD

The Madagascar National Tourism Board, or ONTM for short, was established out of the private tourism sector with the simple aim of promoting the country as a global visitor destination.

Now, having been validated as a public utility by the Tourism Ministry, the organisation’s vision remains very much the same – to develop a sustainable industry and put Madagascar on the tourism map. 

Vola Raveloson is an Executive Director at ONTM, and tells us more about the tourism board’s work.

Q&A WITH VOLA RAVELOSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ONTM

Since inception, how has ONTM developed and progressed in terms of its key objectives and the messages it tries to get across?

Vola Raveloson (VR): Ever since it was set up, ONTM has always tried to highlight the comparative advantages of the Madagascar destination, i.e. nature via the wildlife and plant life, culture, nature-related sports activities and of course, the seaside and related activities. ONTM has always tried to adapt the messages it conveys to target audiences in order to attract more tourists to enjoy travelling in Madagascar. In this way ONTM is helping towards the government’s goal of 500,000 tourists by 2020.

Taking a more general industry stance, how would you evaluate the tourism sector in Madagascar now compared to its condition when ONTM began?

(VR): Ultimately, there are two indicators for measuring tourist development. The first is income from tourism: since 2003, there has been an average increase of 30 percent in absolute value in millions of SDRs. The second is the number of tourists, which was 61,674 in 2002. This reached 375,010 in 2008 but decreased to 255,460 in 2017. These falling statistics were due to different crises, but, despite these crises, the tourism sector has always been able to cope and press ahead. In addition, most major international tour operators have kept this destination in their catalogues, thus expressing their confidence in the development of the destination.

What are the core industry trends dictating ONTM ‘s investments and initiatives at present?

(VR): The Madagascar destination is one based on highlighting nature. So, it is important for ONTM to promote initiatives leading to nature conservation and sustainability in this destination. These concerns are not only understood as industry trends but also and especially as acting principles for all ONTM activities.

What is in store for Madagascar over the course of 2018 and beyond to continue the good work already commenced and to enhance its reputation as a tourism and business travel hub further in the future?

(VR): At a local level, some major events planned for the end of the year include the VEZ’TIVAL, a festival organised around various cultural and sports events aimed at publicizing the Tulear region with its habits and customs, the International Tourism Fair of Madagascar (ITM) and the Madagascar Carnival.  On the international scene, the Madagascar destination will be attending the TOP RESA show in Paris on 25-28 September, via ONTM. Madagascar is also a guest of honour at the Grand Pavois/La Rochelle International Boat Show on 26 September-1 October to present its tourism and boating assets. Roadshows are also planned in France and Germany by the end of 2018. There are also airport and port upgrades. The new makeover for Nosy Be’s Fascene Airport will be inaugurated towards the end of 2018 with improved reception areas, new shopping areas and a longer runway. These new measures should enhance the attractiveness of Nosy Be, the leading tourist area in northern Madagascar and the second favourite destination for foreign tourists to the island. Construction work on the new terminal at Ivato International Airport is well underway. The new facilities are expected to be commissioned in early 2020. The new terminal will accommodate over 1.5 million passengers per year. The Tamatave Port extension works began in 2018 to triple port capacity by 2026. As Tamatave is Madagascar’s leading port and a port of call for Indian Ocean cruises, this extension is a major development opportunity for tourism in general and business tourists in particular.

What about new businesses setting up in the country?

(VR): Several ecolodges have emerged this year and should represent a significant attraction for Madagascar. The concept common to these new hotel structures is combining natural heritage conservation, an ecological approach and green tourism. For instance, the Fanamby NGO’s Friendly Camps include Black Lemur Camp, a ecolodge in the heart of the Andrafiamena Andavakoera protected area in the north, and the Simpona Ecolodge, in the heart of Makira National Park on the northeast coast of Madagascar, also serving as an operating research station open to local and international scientists wanting to study the unique Makira wildlife.  Another novelty is the Mantadia lodge nestling on the fringe of the primeval forest in the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, which should delight travellers wanting to spend a holiday in communion with nature, as the property offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the forest thanks to rooms fitted with wide bay windows. As part of the Indian Ocean ecotourism development programme, 10 inbound tour operators from the six member islands (Comoros, Reunion, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Seychelles) of the Vanilla Islands Association (VIO) have been selected by the Indian Ocean Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UCCIOI) and the VIOI to present 30 or so combined tours dedicated to ecotourism among the various islands at the 2018 ITM.  Through these tours that leave from neighbouring islands, travellers will be journeying through different regions of Madagascar such as Nosy Be, Andasibe and the East region, Majunga, etc.

Finally, looking forward, if we were to speak again in three-five years’ time, what progress and development would you hope and expect to be able to report back?

(VR): ONTM is focused on reaching a 15 percent annual increase in tourist arrivals for the next five-year term. Several steps have to be taken in order to achieve this goal. All stakeholders, both private and public, are mobilised and working together to take these steps.  For ONTM, the objective is to continually improve and professionalise promotion of the destination in the tourist source markets. 

GETTING THERE AND AROUND

By far the most common way of getting around is by taxi-brousse, minivan-like vehicles which seat around 15 people. These will be able to get you to most places and are cheap to use, although journeys are often slow. This said, the network is well organised with drives belonging to cooperatives which have booths at stations where travellers can book tickets.  One piece of sage advice is to be prepared to buy extra seats if you don’t wish to wait around – taxi-brousses only depart when full. Fares are determined by the government and based on distance, duration and the condition of the route, with much of Madagascar’s road network unpaved.  Madagascar’s rail network is made of more than 1,000 kilometres of track, though it is mostly used to transport freight rather than tourists. Those travelling to and from the regions to Tana and looking to save time may opt to travel by air, though this is much more expensive, and it is advised to leave time in case of cancellations.  Within cities, tuk-tuks are becoming increasingly popular as a quick means of getting from A to B. A more traditional mode of getting around is by pousse-pousse, or rickshaw, which unlike tuk-tuks base fares on distance, time of day and whether it’s raining. 

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It has been described as the eighth continent, a world apart, evolution’s playground, and the real Alice’s Wonderland. Hilary Bradt & Daniel Austin , authors of Madagascar: The Bradt Guide

Madagascar is one of our hot destinations for the year ahead – check out the full list of the best places to travel in 2024 here .

Madagascar has been described as the eighth continent, a world apart, evolution’s playground, and the real Alice’s Wonderland. This otherworldly island in the Indian Ocean is the Holy Grail for many wildlife fanatics.

Leaf-tailed geckos so well camouflaged that they can be sleeping on a tree trunk right in front of your face without being spotted. More than a hundred types of lemur – not a single one found anywhere outside Madagascar – so diverse that some bound across the ground like kangaroos and some howl their eerie ‘whalesong’ from the treetops, while others winkle grubs from beneath tree bark with their bony, knitting-needle fingers. Majestic baobab trees with their elephantine trunks looking for all the world as if they’ve been planted upside-down with their stubby little roots reaching skyward. Madagascar is truly a place like no other.

But that’s only half the story; ecotourism isn’t all this destination has to offer. There are incredible deserted beaches, world-class dive sites, opportunities for all manner of other watersports from windsurfing to kite-surfing, delicious cuisine, yacht charters, and treks through startling ladscapes, not to mention the warm welcome you will receive from the ever-smiling Malagasy people.

Food and drink in Madagascar

Eating well is one of the delights of Madagascar. Wherever you go you will find freshly prepared, original dishes at independent outlets and complete escape from evergrowing global homogenisation; in Antananarivo, you are nearly 1,000km from the nearest McDonald’s (Réunion) and well over 2,000km from any Starbucks (Jo’burg).

The international hotels do serve international food, usually with a French bias, but frequently offer Malagasy-inspired dishes too. Smaller hotels serve local food which is almost always excellent, particularly on the coast where lobster, crayfish, shellfish and other seafood predominates. Meat lovers will enjoy the zebu steaks. Incredible food can be found in the unlikliest of places but in remoter areas, hotels tend to offer a set menu. 

Independent travellers on a tight budget will find Chinese restaurants in nearly every town; these are almost always good and reasonably priced. Soupe chinoise is available nearly everywhere, and is filling, tasty and cheap.

The Malagasy eat a lot of rice, but most restaurants also cater to foreign tastes. Away from the tourist routes, however, most dishes are accompanied by a sticky mound of rice – sometimes embellished with small stones, so chew with caution! 

Local dishes

For a real Malagasy meal, eat at a hotely . These are often open-sided shacks where the menu is chalked up on a blackboard: henan-omby (beef), henan-borona/hen’akoho (chicken), henan-kisoa (pork), trondro or henan-drano/hazan-drano (fish), all served with vary (rice).

Other dishes include: tsaramaso (rice with beans and pork), vary sosoa (rice pudding/porridge), mofo boule or mofogasy (doughnut-like bread rolls made from rice), and koba (rice ground with peanuts and banana, wrapped in a banana leaf and served in slices). Along with the meat or fish and inevitable mound of rice comes a bowl of stock. This is spooned over the rice or drunk as a soup.

Thirst is quenched with ranovola obtained by boiling water in the pan in which the rice was cooked. It has a slight flavour of burnt rice, and since it has been boiled for several minutes it is safe to drink.

For do-it-yourself meals there is a great variety of fruit and vegetables, even in the smallest market. A selection of fruit is served in most restaurants, along with raw vegetables or crudités . From June to August the fruit is mostly limited to citrus and bananas, but from September there are also strawberries, mangoes, lychees, pineapples and loquats. As an extra special treat you may come across mangosteen. Slices of coconut are sold everywhere, but especially on the coast where coconut milk is a popular and safe drink, and toffee-coconut nibbles are sold on the street, often wrapped in paper from school exercise books. There are some good, locally produced cheeses and Malagasy yoghurt is excellent and available in even the smallest shops. Chocaholics should keep their eyes peeled for Chocolate Robert – available in several varieties.

Vegetarian food

Madagascar is becoming more accustomed to vazaha vegetarians. With patience you can usually order meatless dishes anywhere, even at small hotelys . The problem tends to be communicating what you do and don’t eat; once this is clear, most kitchens can offer some vegetarian options. Tsy misy hena means ‘without meat’ and tsy oman-kena aho means ‘I don’t eat meat’.

The most popular drink, Three Horses Beer, known universally as THB, is wonderful on a hot day. Or a cold day, for that matter. Star Brewery also produces THB Fresh, a light shandy. Ambatolampy-based Skol produces the eponymous Skol, as well as Libertalia Original, Phoenix, a THB Fresh equivalent called Skol Panache and – as of 2013 – Guinness too. Castel Beer is now also widely available. 

It is not well known in the rest of the world that Madagascar produces wine. It is not world class, but some is very pleasant. A rather nice aperitif is Maromby (the name means ‘many zebu’) and Litchel, made from lychees, is good. Based in Nosy Be, the Vidzar company has made rum since 1982; their premium products under the Dzama brand have won awards worldwide.

Fermented sugarcane juice, betsabetsa (east coast), or fermented coconut milk, trembo (north), make a change. Rhum arrangé – rum flavoured with various fruits or spices – is found in most locally run hotels. The best cocktail is punch coco , with a coconut milk base, a speciality of the coastal areas.

The most popular mineral water is called Eau Vive, but other brands are available. Soft drinks including Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta are also available as well as a ginger beer marketed under the name Stoney Ginger. 

Malagasy coffee is all right if taken black, but often only condensed milk is available.The locally grown tea is available in both green and black, the best quality being reserved for export. A nice alternative is thé citronelle – lemongrass tea.

Health and safety in Madagascar

Sensible preparation will go a long way to ensuring your trip goes smoothly, so make sure all your immunisations are up to date. A yellow fever certificate is required from travellers coming from yellow fever areas, but there is no risk from the disease in Madagascar itself. Make sure you also have insurance covering the cost of helicopter evacuation and treatment in Réunion or Nairobi, which offer more sophisticated medical facilities than are available in Madagascar.

The biggest health threat is malaria and while there is no vaccine against this dangerous mosquito-borne disease, malarone, mefloquine (Lariam) and doxycycline are reasonably effective preventative drugs against the strains found in Madagascar. Madagascar is also classified as a high-risk country for rabies, so vaccination is advisable, which involves three doses taken over a minimum of 21 days. This is particularly important if you intend to have contact with animals, or are likely to be 24 hours away from medical help.

Anybody travelling away from major centres should carry a personal first aid kit. Contents might include a good drying antiseptic (eg: iodine or potassium permanganate), Band-Aids, aspirin or paracetamol, antifungal cream (eg: Canesten), ciprofloxacin or norfloxacin (for severe diarrhoea), antibiotic eye drops, tweezers, a digital thermometer and a needle-and-syringe kit with an accompanying letter from a healthcare professional. Also remember your suncream, insect repellent, mosquito net, anti-malarial  prophylaxis and contraceptives, as appropriate.

Malaria prevention 

Tablets do not give complete protection from malaria (though it will give you time to get treatment if it does break through) and there are other insect-borne diseases in Madagascar so it is important to protect yourself from being bitten. The Anopheles mosquitoes that spread malaria usually bite from dusk to dawn, so it is wise to dress in long trousers and longsleeved shirts, and to cover exposed skin with insect repellent especially in the evenings. In most countries, malaria transmission is rare in urban environments, but it does occur around Antananarivo because rice fields are so close to the city. Most hotels have screened windows or provide mosquito nets, but bring your own freshly impregnated net if staying in cheap hotels. Check the walls of your room for mosquitoes at bedtime and consider burning mosquito coils overnight.

The symptoms are fevers, chills, joint pain, headache and sometimes diarrhoea – in other words the symptoms of many illnesses including flu. Malaria can take as little as seven days to develop but consult a doctor if you develop a flu-like illness within a year of leaving a malarial region. The life-threatening complication of cerebral malaria will become apparent within three months and can kill within 24 hours of the first symptoms (extreme shaking, fever and sweating; seizures; impaired consciousness; and neurological abnormalities).

Travel clinics and health information

A full list of current travel clinic websites worldwide is available on www.istm.org . For other journey preparation information, consult www.travelhealthpro.org.uk  (UK) or http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ (US). Information about various medications may be found on www.netdoctor.co.uk/travel . All advice found online should be used in conjunction with expert advice received prior to or during travel.

Before launching into a discussion on crime, it’s worth reminding that by far the most common cause of death or injury while on holiday is the same as at home: road accidents. Violence is rare in Madagascar and most visitors return home after a crime-free trip, with fond memories of touchingly honest locals. But this is one area where being forewarned is forearmed: there are positive steps that you can take to keep yourself and your possessions safe.

Tips for avoiding robbery

• Remember that most theft occurs in the street not in hotels; leave your valuables hidden in a locked bag in your room or in the hotel safe.
• If you use a hotel safe at reception, make sure your money is in a sealed envelope that cannot be opened without detection. There have been cases of the key being accessible to all hotel employees, with predictable results.
• If staying in budget hotels bring a rubber wedge to keep your door closed at night. If you can’t secure the window put something on the sill which will fall with a clatter if someone tries to enter.
• Carry cash in a moneybelt, neck pouch or deep pocket. Wear loose trousers with zipped pockets. Keep emergency cash (dollars/euros) in a very safe place. Keep a small amount of cash in a wallet that you can give away if threatened.
• Divide up cash and cards so they are not all in one place. Keep photocopies of important documents in your luggage.
• Remember, what the thief would most like to get hold of is money. Do not leave it around (in coat pockets hanging in your room, in your hand while you concentrate on something else, in an accessible pocket while strolling.
• In a restaurant never hang your bag on the back of a chair or lay it by your feet (unless you put your chair leg over the strap). 
• For thieves, the next best thing after money is clothes. Avoid leaving them on the beach while you go swimming (in tourist areas) and never leave swimsuits or washing to dry outside your room near a public area.
• Bear in mind that it’s impossible to run carrying a large piece of luggage. Items hidden at the bottom of your heaviest bag will be safe from a grab-and-run thief. Pass a piece of cord through the handles of multiple bags to make them one unstealable unit when waiting at an airport or taxi-brousse station.
• Avoid misunderstandings – genuine or contrived – by agreeing on the price of a service before you set out.

…and what to do if you are robbed

• Have a little cry and then go to the police. They will write down all the details then send you to the chief of police for a signature. It takes the best part of a day, and will remind you what a manual typewriter looks like, but you will need the certificate for your insurance. If you are in a rural area, the local authorities will do a declaration of loss.

Female travellers

Foreign ladies travelling without male company are likely to encounter a few local men who think it’s worth trying their luck. A firm refusal is usually sufficient. Try not to be too offended; think of the image of Western women that the average Malagasy male is shown via the cinema or TV. A woman Peace Corps volunteer gives the following advice for women travelling alone on taxi-brousses: ‘try to sit in the cab, but not next to the driver; if possible sit with another woman; if in the main body of the vehicle, establish contact with an older person, man or woman, who will then tend to look after you’. Common advice is to wear a ring and say you are married, which most readers report to be effective in Madagascar, although reader Phoebe Mottram notes that most men are undeterred if you say you have a husband who is back home. Her advice is to perfect your story in advance, for example that your husband works in Madagascar and you are just on your way to meet him. She adds that being young, female and alone worked in her favour in the vast majority of situations, as locals would be less wary of making friendly contact and more willing to look out for you and make sure you are all right.

Travelling with a disability

It is not easy to find disabled-friendly accommodation in Madagascar. An increasing number of the higher-end hotels are beginning to offer one or more ‘accessible rooms’ but what they mean by this varies widely as there is no effective Malagasy legislation that sets a standard. 

At airports, there should always be help available, including wheelchairs, but if you cannot walk at all you may need to be manhandled – without an aisle chair – to and from the aircraft. Public transport is generally very crowded with no concessions to disabled travellers so, in general, a hire car would be preferable. Keep in mind that distances are great and roads often bumpy, so if you are prone to spin damage you need to take extra care. Everywhere in Madagascar, pavements are frequently unsurfaced or uneven, steps often irregular, and open drains are not uncommon, so wheelchair users and visually impaired travellers need to be aware of these challenges.

Although the majority of Madagascar’s wildlife highlights are not disabled friendly, there are two outstanding exceptions. The luxurious Anjajavy resort has villas, of which one is officially accessible and Berenty has broad, smooth, well-maintained forest paths. The ideal route for a disabled traveller would be RN7 from Antananarivo to Toliara by hired car and driver.

Travelling with children

The Malagasy people are very child-friendly although facilities typically are not. Travelling with children in Madagascar should not be undertaken lightly, but with the right preparation it can be a fun and rewarding experience. 

High chairs and cots are generally only found in top-end establishments and not commonly outside of the capital. But you will always find staff to be accommodating – offering to store baby formula in the chef ’s fridge or helping to organise a babysitter.

If you’ll be walking in national parks, it is useful to have some means of carrying young children when they get tired. ‘Even in towns, strollers are almost entirely useless – much better to invest in a good kid carrier/backpack to tote your little one around the island. And if you plan to travel by car, you will want to bring a car seat’ (Kyle & Monika Lussier).

LGBTQ+ travellers

Madagascar is one of the few African countries where homosexuality is not a crime, although the age of consent is higher: 21 (as opposed to 14 for heterosexual sex). There is general societal discrimination – and no laws prohibiting such discrimination – but travellers are unlikely to suffer open hostility. Public displays of affection are nevertheless best avoided. 

Travel and visas in Madagascar

A visa is required by all foreign tourists and is easy to obtain at the airport on arrival, although if you prefer you can get it in advance of your trip at the Malagasy embassy in your country (this option may be more expensive).

There are three categories: up to 30 days, 31–60 days and 61–90 days, payable in cash in euros, dollars or ariary. Fees are fixed in ariary so the foreign currency amounts may vary with exchange rate fluctuations. Extension of a 90-day visa is not possible under normal circumstances, but if you exit (to Mauritius or Réunion, say) you can come back immediately and get a fresh 90-day visa on your return. 

Getting there and away

It can be cheaper to book through an agency or flight metasearch site such as Skyscanner or Expedia rather than contacting airlines directly. There are no direct flights to Madagascar from the UK. Air France  flies from several UK cities via Paris three times a week. Kenya Airways is generally a cheaper option with flights from London Heathrow via Nairobi most days, but sometimes with long connections.

As of 2015, the multiaward-winning Turkish Airlines offers a comfortable alternative route from various points in the UK via Istanbul four times a week at surprisingly competitive rates, but note that the plane makes a brief stop in Mauritius before reaching Tana.

The Mauritius Trochetia has passenger cabins and sometimes plies the Toamasina–Mauritius route via Réunion (4 days); contact Mauritius Shipping for details. There are no passenger boats crossing the Mozambique Channel to Madagascar, but many people sail their own yachts from Durban. It takes six or seven days to reach Anakao.

Getting around

Coping with the ‘roads’ is one of the great travel challenges in Madagascar. Torrential rain and cyclones destroy roads almost as fast as they are constructed. Taxi-brousse is the generic name for public transport in Madagascar. Car-brousse, camion-brousse, taxi-be and kat-kat are also used, but they all refer to the ‘bush- taxis’ which run along virtually every road in the country. These have improved a lot in recent years, especially along tourist routes. 

Taxi-brousse

If you’re prepared for the realities, an overland journey can be very enjoyable and gives you a chance to get to know the Malagasy. Taxi-brousses are generally minibuses with about 14 seats, which operate on all roads that are in good enough condition.

Vehicles typically leave from the bus station on the side of town closest to their destination. You should try to go there a day or two ahead of your planned departure to check times and prices, and reserve a seat. Buy from a kiosk, not a middleman, and make sure you get a receipt. You should only have to pay half the fare as a deposit. Come prepared for a long wait. Taxi-brousses do sometimes leave on time, but as they never depart until they are full it can be hours before you set off. 

Pousse-pousses (rickshaws)

Pousse-pousses were introduced into Madagascar by British missionaries who wanted to replace the traditional palanquin due to its association with slavery. The name is said to originate from the time they operated in the capital and needed an additional man behind to push up the steep hills. They are now a Madagascar speciality and are mostly pulled by a running man, although cyclo-pousses (pedal rickshaws) have been introduced to Toamasina. 

Many Western visitors are reluctant to sit in comfort behind a running, ragged, sweating man and no-one with a heart can fail to feel compassion for the pousse-pousse pullers. However, this is a case of needing to abandon our own cultural hang-ups. These men want work. Bargain hard (before you get in) and make sure you have the exact money. 

Generally cars come with chauffeurs (providing a local person with a job and you with a guide/interpreter); self-driving is rare and generally more expensive. A few days on Madagascar’s roads will cure you of any regret that you are not driving yourself. A few agencies do rent vehicles without drivers.

Adventurous souls who are tempted by this must be sure to check the vehicle over thoroughly before departure, get as much information about the intended route as possible (including where the fuel stops are), and avoid driving after dark at all costs. Hire prices including fuel and driver are around €85 per day for a saloon car or €120 for a 4×4. Taxi drivers will often agree to a full-day hire for around €60.

Air Madagascar started its life in 1962 as Madair, a name that was so mocked that they changed it within a year. Although their operations have recently reached a state of such disarray that a reversion to their original name might seem appropriate. Since 2011, last-minute time changes and cancellations have become not just commonplace but almost normal on domestic routes; one traveller reported that of 12 domestic flights he booked over a six-month period, only two went ahead at the expected time.

Given their unreliability, it is inadvisable to arrange any travel itinerary that relies on a domestic flight departing on time, without any contingency plan. Flights which are said to be fully booked at the office may in fact have empty seats, so it can be worth going to the airport well in advance, where empty seats are filled on a first-come-first-served basis. Conversely, passengers who check in late may find their seats resold, so always arrive in good time. 

In 2015, a new airline called Madagasikara Airways  launched. They currently have just a single 30-seat Embraer aircraft, operating 25–30 flights per week to nine destinations across the island, but have plans to expand their fleet soon. The current typical cost of flying from the capital to one of the country’s other major airports (one way) is about €250.

The Malagasy are traditionally a seafaring people and, in the absence of roads, their stable outrigger canoes are used to cover quite long sea distances. Pirogues without outriggers are used extensively on the rivers and canals of the watery east.

Quite a few adventurous travellers use pirogues for sections of their journeys. Romantic though it may be to sail in an outrigger canoe, it can be both uncomfortable and, at times, dangerous. Ferries and cargo boats known as boutres travel to the larger islands and down the west coast. River journeys are popular as a different way of seeing the country.

After years of deterioration, Madagascar’s rail system has seen improvement over the past decade. Passenger services now run a few times a week between Fianarantsoa and Manakara and between Moramanga and Toamasina.

When to visit Madagascar

Broadly speaking, the dry months are in the winter between April and September, but rainfall varies enormously in different areas. Try to avoid July/August and the Christmas/New Year period when popular places are crowded. January to March is the rainy season when some more remote places get cut off by the swollen rivers, particularly in the north and west. However, the off-peak season can be rewarding, with cheaper international airfares and accommodation and fewer other tourists. 

September is nice, but frequently windy in the south. April and May often have lovely weather, and the countryside is green after the rainy season. Keen naturalists have their own requirements: botanists may want to go in February when many of the orchids are in flower, and herpetologists will prefer the spring/summer because reptiles are more active – and brightly coloured – during those months. Bear in mind that giant jumping rats, dwarf lemurs, tenrecs and some reptiles are less active and so harder to see during the cool dry months of June to September. Our favourite months to visit Madagascar are October and November, when the weather is usually fine but not too hot, the jacarandas are in flower, the lemurs have babies, and lychees are sold from roadside stalls in the east.

Madagascar has a tropical climate: November to March (summer/wet season) is hot with variable rainfall; April to October (winter/dry season) is mainly dry and mild. That said, global climate change is making Madagascar’s weather patterns less predictable.

Typically, southwest trade winds drop their moisture on the eastern mountain slopes and blow hot and dry in the west. North and northwest ‘monsoon’ air currents bring heavy rain in summer, decreasing southward so that the rainfall in Taolagnaro is half that of Toamasina. There are also considerable variations of temperature dictated by altitude and latitude. On the summer solstice of 22 December the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, and the weather is very warm. June is the coolest month.

Average midday temperatures in the dry season are 25ºC (77°F) in the highlands and 30ºC (86°F) on the coast. These statistics are misleading, however, since in June the night-time temperature can drop to near freezing in the highlands and it is cool in the south. The winter daytime temperatures are very pleasant, and the hot summer season is usually tempered by cool breezes on the coast.

Madagascar frequently suffers from cyclones, especially during February and March, and primarily down the east coast.

Festivals and events

March: nosy be trail.

For serious runners, March is the time to visit Madagascar. Starting from 2014, the island of Nosy Be hosts a 65km ultramarathon (with a 35km option for the mere mortals among us) organised by RandoRun Océan Indien.

July: Turning of the Bones

Exhumation ceremonies called famadihana or the ‘Turning of the Bones’ are carried out between July and September. These traditional rites are practiced by highland tribes and involve great ceremonies in which families gather to remove the body of a loved one from the family tomb, rewrap them in fresh cloth, then dance and parade around carrying the corpse aloft while live music is played.

Itineraries

For more itineraries, please see the listing of  Madagascar holidays  on SafariBookings. This comparison website lists tours offered by both local and international tour operators.  

What to see and do in Madagascar

Masoala (pronounced ‘mash wahl ’) is one of the largest and most diverse areas of virgin rainforest in Madagascar. The peninsula’s importance was recognised by the French back in 1927 when they created a small reserve there, but independent Madagascar was swift to remove the protection in 1964. However, in 1997 most of the peninsula (240,000ha) was declared a national park, and later three marine sections were added. 

Despite difficulty of access and dodgy weather, this area is perhaps the leading destination for ecotourists who want to see the country’s most important natural habitat in terms of biodiversity – the eastern rainforest, exemplified by Nosy Mangabe and the Masoala-Makira rainforest belt.

These places require fitness and fortitude but the rewards for nature lovers are great. Fitness is needed for the hills and mud which are an aspect of all the reserves, and fortitude because this is the wettest place in Madagascar, with annual rainfall exceeding 500cm. The driest months tend to be November and December. Switzerland’s Zoo Zürich has established a link with Masoala and finances development projects to encourage conservation. Their Masoala Kely exhibit – an 11,000m2 indoor replica rainforest at their Zürich zoo – is well worth visiting. 

Visitors should be warned that logging and clearance for agriculture still persist and maps of the peninsula tend to look deceptively green. That said, there are still large expanses of virgin forest along with stunning beaches of golden sand dotted with eroded rocks. Some parts of the peninsula, seen on a sunny day, can arguably be described as the most beautiful in Madagascar. 

The wildlife is equally stunning. You will need to work for it, but nevertheless the opportunity to see the red ruffed lemur in its only habitat, helmet and Bernier’s vangas, scaly ground-roller and other rare endemic birds plus a host of reptiles and invertebrates is not to be missed.

Montagne d’Ambre National Park

The 18,500ha Montagne d’Ambre National Park was created in 1958, the French colonial government recognising the unique nature of the volcanic massif and its forest. The park is part of the Montagne d’Ambre Reserves Complex which also includes Ankarana, Analamera and Forêt d’Ambre. The project was the first to involve local people in all stages of planning and management. The aims of conservation, rural development and education have largely been achieved. Ecotourism has been encouraged successfully with good information and facilities now available. 

Montagne d’Ambre National Park is a splendid example of montane rainforest: the massif ranges in altitude from 850m to 1,475m and has its own microclimate with rainfall similar to the eastern region. It is one of the most visitor-friendly of Madagascar’s protected areas, with broad trails, fascinating flora and fauna, a comfortable climate and readily available information. In the dry season vehicles can drive right up to the main picnic area, giving a unique opportunity (in Madagascar) for elderly or disabled visitors to see the rainforest and its inhabitants. 

The most rewarding time to visit is during the warm season (September to November); there will be some rain, but most animals are active and the lemurs have babies. It is usually relatively dry from May to August, and wettest from December to April. Temperatures on the mountain are much cooler than down in Antsiranana and there is a strong wind – varatraza – most days so it can feel quite cold. It is often wet and muddy (and there may be leeches) so be wary of wearing shorts and sandals, however hot and dry you feel at sea level. Bring waterproofs, insect repellent and even a light sweater.

You should also be aware that, as Antsiranana is on the itinerary of some cruise ships, for three or four days each year the park is inundated with hundreds of day trippers.

The name means ‘big island’ and is pronounced ‘ nossy bay ’ by the local Sakalava people, although ‘ nooss bay ’ is nearer the highland pronunciation. It is blessed with an almost perfect climate for much of the year. Fertile and prosperous, with the heady scent of ylang-ylang blossoms giving it the tourist-brochure name of ‘Perfumed Isle’, this is the place to come for a rest – providing you can afford it. Compared with the rest of Madagascar, Nosy Be is expensive.

Tourism developed here long before the mainland, so inevitably the island seems touristy to adventurous travellers. Since the demise of the sugar industry, all available land is being bought up for hotel development, pushing prices ever higher. That said, Nosy Be has much to offer – from good seafood and beaches to scuba-diving and boat trips. It also has many more luxury hotel options than in the rest of Madagascar, and a significantly higher proportion of Italian-owned ones. 

The only significant town is Hell-Ville, which is where the ferry port is as well as such services as banks and airline offices. It has some basic accommodation but no beach; most tourists will want to stay at the better hotels stretching along the west coast. The beachfront village of Ambatoloaka in the southwest comprises a couple of dozen hotels and restaurants, so this is the place to stay if you want to be within walking distance of eateries and nightlife.

Heading north, the hotels become progressively more isolated and the beaches better. For an even more exclusive experience, consider staying on one of the islets surrounding Nosy Be.

Nosy Mangabe

In fine weather the island of Nosy Mangabe is superb. This 520ha special reserve has beautiful sandy coves, marvellous trees with huge buttress roots and also strangler figs. And it’s bursting with wildlife including, of course, its famous aye-ayes which were released here in the 1960s to prevent what was then thought to be their imminent extinction.

There is plenty of other wildlife to see so, while a day visit is quite possible, a couple of nights’ stay is recommended. Inhabiting the island are weird-and-wonderful leaf-tailed geckos, green-backed mantella frogs, stump-tailed chameleons, white-fronted brown lemurs and black-and-white ruffed lemurs. The bay offers excellent swimming and you may see dolphins and turtles enjoying it too. Aye-aye sightings are rare and in any case night walks are forbidden nowadays.

The circuits are well maintained and range in difficulty from easy to moderate. In rain – and it rains often – the paths can get slippery. Trails lead variously to the 332m summit, a rather rusty old lighthouse, and the Plage des Hollandais with its fascinating 17th-century Dutch inscriptions carved on the rocks (if you don’t get time to do this last trail, ask your boatman to stop by there when you leave).

As the whole island is a protected area, there are no hotels on Nosy Mangabe, but the reserve runs a campsite with sheltered pitches, showers, flush toilets, and a couple of newly constructed huts for those without tents. Permits are available from the park office on the island itself. If staying overnight, you are expected to provide or pay for your guide’s food. For your own meals, you can bring a camp stove or employ the services of a cook (some guides will double as cooks if you pay them a little extra). 

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

In the late 1990s the long-established reserve of Analamazaotra Forest, sometimes known by its colonial name of Périnet, was combined with Mantadia, 20km to the north, to form Andasibe-Mantadia National Park. Because of its proximity to Tana and its exceptional fauna, this is now one of Madagascar’s most popular reserves. These two areas of moist montane forest (altitude: 930–1,049m) are home to a variety of lemurs, birds, reptiles and invertebrates.

This reserve protects the largest of the lemurs, the indri. Standing about a metre high, with a barely visible tail, black-and-white markings and a surprised teddy-bear face, the indri looks more like a gone-wrong panda than a lemur. It is the voice that makes this lemur extra-special: while other lemurs grunt or swear, the indri sings. It is an eerie, wailing sound – a cross between whale song and a siren – and it carries for up to 3km as troops call to each other across the forest.

There are 11 species of lemur altogether in Andasibe, although you will not see them all. You may find grey bamboo lemurs, common brown lemurs and perhaps a sleeping avahi (woolly lemur) curled up in the fork of a tree. Diademed sifakas and black-and-white ruffed lemurs have been translocated here from Mantadia and from forest cleared to make way for the Ambatovy nickel and cobalt mine.

Although the vast majority of visitors spend one or two nights here it is just possible to visit Andasibe as a long day trip from Tana. You will need to leave before dawn to have much chance of seeing and hearing the indri.

Located 128km up the coast from Mahajanga, this is not just a luxury seaside hotel: in addition to its 24 villas it protects 450ha of dry deciduous forest. In some places this grows right on the tsingy limestone. 

Wildlife viewing here is effortless, including Coquerel’s sifakas and other lemurs. There are flocks of bright green grey-headed lovebirds, sickle-billed vangas, crested ibises, crested couas, Madagascar fish eagles and vasa parrots. You may also see beautiful butterflies, plentiful chameleons, hognose snakes and ground boas.

There’s a couple of caves too, spectacular enough with stalactites and stalagmites (and bats), and one with the skulls of an extinct lemur species embedded in the rocks. Perhaps most startlingly for botanists, Anjajavy and the nearby Moramba Bay hold an undescribed species of cycad tree.

Then there are the coral reefs, tsingy, pristine beaches, extensive mangroves, lovely swimming pool and ‘oasis’ garden, not to mention total comfort, brilliant service and superb food. And even Wi-Fi for those unable to sever their electronic umbilical cord to the outside world.

A range of activities is on offer, including guided forest walks, sailing, windsurfing, snorkelling, mountain biking and village visits. For an additional fee you can also indulge in deep-sea fishing, waterskiing and massages. Three nights is the minimum stay; five allows you to appreciate all Anjajavy has to offer. To fit as much into a day as possible, the hotel operates in its own time zone bubble – an hour ahead of the rest of Madagascar!

Avenue des Baobabs

The baobab – a freak among trees with its massively swollen trunk and sparse stubby branches – is emblematic of Madagascar. This is the motherland of baobabs. Of the nine species found worldwide, six grow exclusively in Madagascar. It is difficult to be certain because unlike other trees baobabs do not produce growth rings, but recent radiocarbon dating suggests that the very oldest may be 900 years old, with most significantly younger. 

In 2007 the avenue (together with about 300 baobabs of three species in the surrounding 1km) became an officially protected natural monument. There is now a car park, fee to pay to visit, souvenir shop, information office and tree nursery, with an active programme to plant saplings among the existing trees. The project suffered a setback late in 2012 when a fire engulfed 11ha of the 320ha reserve, destroying 99 of the 220 newly planted trees, but no mature baobabs were affected. 

To get to the avenue turn left off RN35 about 13km from Morondava, and the baobabs are 5.5km further on. It takes about 40 minutes by car/taxi, or you can come by bike or quad. The best light for photography is just before sunset (it brings out the red hue in the bark), but sunrise is almost as good and you’re much more likely to have the place to yourself.

Berenty Reserve

This small private reserve some 3 hours’ drive west of Taolagnaro is one of the most famous in Madagascar, not least for being the site where renowned primatologist Alison Jolly studied lemurs for five decades. It’s pricey but most visitors love it for the combination of tame lemurs, reasonably comfy accommodation, knowledgeable guides and easy forest trails. 

Berenty is most famous for its lemurs; if you have ever seen these in a TV documentary, chances are they were filmed here. Brown lemurs, ring-tails and sifakas are all guaranteed sightings. There are approximately 500 ring-tailed lemurs in Berenty, and the population has stayed remarkably stable considering only a quarter of babies survive to adulthood. The females are dominant over the males and receptive to mating for only a week or so in April or May, so there is much competition among males for this once-a-year treat. The young are born in September.

Attractive though they are, no ring-tail can compete with the Verreaux’s sifaka for soft-toy cuddliness, with its creamy white fur, brown cap, and black face. There are about 300 of them in the reserve. Unlike ring-tails, they only rarely come down to the ground but, when they do, the length of their legs in comparison with their short arms necessitates a comical form of locomotion: jumping with feet together like competitors in a sack race. The red-fronted brown lemurs were introduced from the west and are now well established and almost as tame as the ring-tails.

There are some 30 bungalows and rooms as well as a restaurant within the reserve complex. Don’t try turning up unannounced – they generally insist you use their transfers from Taolagnaro.

Île Sainte Marie

Here is a cliché of a tropical island with endless deserted beaches overhung by coconut palms, bays protected from sharks by coral reefs, hills covered with luxuriant vegetation and fantastic whale watching in season. Although Île Sainte Marie is developed for tourism, it has been done in a tasteful, low-key way and the island maintains a traditional ambience: most of the hotels are small-scale with rustic bungalows.

Travellers love it: ‘As soon as we saw the island from the air, we were ready to ditch our travel plans and spend the rest of our trip nestled in paradise. Everything about the island is intoxicating: the smell of cloves drying in the sun, the taste of coco rum and the warmth of the sea.’

The island, due east of Soanierana-Ivongo, is 50km long and 7km at its widest point, with the much smaller – but even more delightful – Île aux Nattes just off its southern tip. The only significant town is Ambodifotatra; other small villages comprise mainly bamboo and palm huts. The island is almost universally known as Île Sainte Marie – few use its Malagasy name: Nosy Boraha.

Île Sainte Marie unfortunately – or perhaps fortunately, given the dangers of overdevelopment – has a far less settled weather pattern than its island rival, Nosy Be. Cyclones cause damage every few years. At any time of year expect several days of rain and wind, but interspersed with calm sunny weather. The best months for a visit tend to be June and mid-August to December, but good weather is possible anytime.

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Code of Behaviour for National Parks Madagascar The mission of Madagascar National Parks is to establish, maintain and sustainably manage a national network of Parks and Reserves.

Home News Madagascar Code of Behaviour for National Parks Madagascar

Code of Behaviour for National Parks Madagascar

Madagascar national park reminds the code of conduct during your visit in malagasy national parks..

The behaviour code is made with the support of Madagascar National Tourism Board (ONTM).

Madagascar National Parks is a Malagasy association private, state-approved usefulness and operative under the Ministry of the Environment, Ecology, Sea and Forestry. The mission of Madagascar National Parks is to establish, maintain and sustainably manage a national network of Parks and Reserves, representative of the biodiversity and natural heritage unique to Madagascar . They created a behaviour code:

DURING YOUR VISIT, IT WILL BE PROHIBITED TO :

• Explore for or use minerals, oil and forest resources
• Hunt or fish the protected species
• Collect plants, flowers and minerals
• Degrade site, cultural and archeological sites
• Feed the animals
• Approach the animals (i.e., always keep distance during observation)
• Throw you waste andcigarette butts
• and to always use bathrooms of the protected area

AS A VISITOR, YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO :

• Buy for entrance ticket at Information Desk
• To be accompanied by a local guide
• Stay on the track
• Respect the National Park timetable
• Respect the camping and fire regulation
• Always have an authorization for any special activities, such as: tourist activities (Bike, kayak, climbing..) sports and cultural events, filming, research activities…
• and keep the venue and accommodation infrastructures in their initial state

Enjoy your visit!!

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Travel Information

Find in this section all the travel information you may need to plan and organize your trip to Madagascar.

Also get the latest updates regarding current travel entry requirements.

PLANNING  YOUR TRIP

Formalities

Change & Currencies

Safety & precautions, power supply & tel, public holidays.

Madagascar is classified as a #safetravels destination by the World Travel & Tourism Council

The country is also classified by the « Centers for Disease Control and Prevention » (CDC) in category 1 with low-risk of contamination

Check below the latest travel updates and restrictions.

The following measures are in application since October, 13th 2021 :

♦   TRANSPORTS :  

• International flights:

Borders will soon be re-opened for passengers travelling from ‘green’ classified countries – no entry allowed from ‘Red’ classified countries (Afghanistan, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, Georgia, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Surinam, Turkey). 

1- starting from 23 October 2021: commercial flights between La Réunion, Mauritius and Madagascar with Air Austral and Air Mauritius can operate

2- starting from 06 November 2021: commercial flights between Europe and  Madagascar with Air Madagascar and Air France can operate

3- starting from 06 November 2021: charter flights between Milan, Roma and Madagascar can operate

For all travelers:

• All passengers must present proof of a negative RT-PCR test. It must be carried out no more than 72 hours prior to departure .
• A booking confirmation and payment receipt (for at least 1 night) delivered by the hotel are required before boarding.
• Upon arrival, travelers will have an other PCR test* (25 euros) and have to  quarantine* at a hotel approved by the authorities (1-2 days). 
• The airport-hotel transfer* is organized by the authorities and is at the passenger’s expense.
• Domestic flights:

Domestic flights are authorized. For more information: visit tsaradia.com for travel conditions.

♦ ACCOMODATION : 

• A quarantine (1-2 days)* at designated hotels  is compulsory for every passenger upon arrival.
• It is strictly prohibited to leave the hotel during this quarantine, awaiting the results.
• Only a negative result will allow to leave the hotel.
• In case of a positive result : travelers must comply with the health authorities instructions and extend their quarantine to 14 days*
• Passengers must directly book the hotel of their choice prior to their departure.
• Specific sanitary measures may apply depending on the hotel.

* at the passenger’s expense

♦   SANITARY MEASURES :

• Social distancing shall be observed and wearing a mask in public areas is compulsory (penalties foreseen in case of failure to fulfill this obligation).
• No more state of health emergency and no more curfew.
• Indoor gatherings superior to 400 people is forbidden.
• Nightclubs remain closed under further notice.
• Outdoor events are allowed, but strict compliance with sanitary measures is required.

In addition, follow the updates on the National Tourism Board of Madagascar ( ONTM ) or on Tourism Confederation of Madagascar’s page ( CTM ).

For more information, please find below:

• Press releases from Tourism Ministry/ONTM, ACM (Civil Aviation of Madagascar) from October, 14th and 15th 2021
• #safetravels destinations approved by the World Travel & Tourism Council
• World map with green, orange and red classified countries – updated on 14 October 2021
• (click on the image, then click on the icon on top right to expand the image)

Madagascar reopens its borders - october 2021

April-October: dry season

November-March: rainy season

Climate: tropical

June-August: Southern winter with cool temperatures in Antananarivo, Antsirabe, Fianarantsoa (Highlands) – Pack some warm clothes

• Time difference
• Weather forecast

Visit  http://www.meteomadagascar.mg/prevision-generale

Passport: valid up to 6 months after the return date.

Visa: required  – please refer to the diplomatic and consular representation.

Apply online: https://www.evisamadagascar.com

Tourism Visa fees – Short stay:

0-30 days: Euros 27

31-60 days: Euros 33

60-90 days: Euros 46

( These rates are provided for information purposes only and are subject to change .

Please contact the diplomatic and consular representation prior to your trip ).

No vaccination is required. 

A preventive anti-malarial treatment is recommended. 

Recommended vaccines: DTCP (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and poliomyelitis), hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies, plague and cholera.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for participants from infection-areas.

Pack a basic kit: disinfectant, antiseptic, Band-Aids, eyewash, antihistamine, antispasmodic drug, antidiarrheal medication, paracetamol, sunscreen and mosquito repellent.

Tap water is not drinkable. Always drink sealed bottled water or use water purification tablets. 

Change & currencies

Local currency: Ariary (Ar or MGA = Malagasy Ariary)

Notes: Ar 20,000 / 10,000 / 5,000 / 2,000 / 1,000 / 200 and 100

For the exchange rate, please refer to the Central Bank of Madagascar:

www.banque-centrale.mg/index.php?id=m5_1_1

Withdrawal or change at exchange offices or banks (cash dispensers) in major cities.

Safety  & Precautions

– By foot: watch out thieves and pickpockets by day and night, especially in touristic and high use areas .

– Precautions: remove valuables, keep them in safe and only take what you need with you.

– By the end of the day: even for a short ride, it is highly recommended to take a taxi.

–  Street begging: travel responsibly – if you wish to make a donation, contact the associations, NGOs or schools directly.

• Power supply
• Telephone  

Madagascar dialing code: +261

Local telephone companies: Orange (032-), Airtel (033-), Telma (034-)

You can buy a Sim card and top-ups from their agencies/shops.

National and public  holidays

January 1 st : New Year’s day

March 8 th : Women’s Day

March 29 th : Commemoration of the 1947 Insurrection martyrs

March – April: Taom-baovao Malagasy (= Malagasy New Year) in Andohalo, Imerimanjaka, Ikianka-Ambohimangakely

April – May: Santabary (for the first rice harvest of the year)

April: Easter

April: Easter Monday

May 1 st : Labour Day

May: Ascension Day

May: Pentecost Day

May: Pentecost Monday

June 25 th : Id Al-Fitr*

June 26 th : National Day

July – September: Famadihana (‘’the turning of the bones”)

June – September: Sambatra (circumcision ceremonies) in the Central Highlands and November – December: in the South-West

August 15 th : Assomption

September 1 st : Id Adha*

November 1 st : All Saints’ Day

December 25 th : Christmas Day

* Muslim religious holidays

USEFUL ADRESSES & CONTACTS

Useful links

Visitor Information

Other services, emergencies.

• Madagascar Embassy in France

4 avenue Raphaël – 75016 Paris – France

Tel: Consular service 06 68 95 67 34 / 06 98 04 46 94 ; Visas 06 47 53 66 88

W: http://www.ambamad-paris.fr

E: [email protected]/ [email protected]

• Other embassies 

http://madagascar-tourisme.com/fr/infos-pratiques/adresses-utiles/

• Apply for online visa:  https://www.evisamadagascar.com
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs

www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/madagascar/events/

• Pasteur Institute 

www.pasteur.fr/fr/centre-medical/preparer-son-voyage/madagascar#vaccinations-recommandes

Touristic information

• National Tourism Board of Madagascar (ONTM)

Lot IBG 29C Antsahavola – Antananarivo

Tel: +261(0)20 22 661 15

W: madagascar-tourisme.com

E: [email protected]

• Regional Tourism Board of Analamanga (ORTANA)

Escalier Ranavalona – Antaninarenina – Antananarivo

Tel: +261(0)20 22 270 51 / +261(0)34  20 270 51

W: tourisme-antananarivo.com

E: [email protected]

• Madagascar National Parks (MNP)

Ambatobe – Antananarivo

Tel: +261(0)34 49 415 38 / +261(0)34 49 418 83

W: parcs-madagascar.com

E: [email protected]

Within walking distance to the hotel:

• Accès Banque

Immeuble Bir Hackeim – Lot IBG 21 Ter – Antsahavola

Tel: +261(0)20 22 322 34 / +261(0)20 22 224 61

+261(0)32 03 030 25 / +261(0)34 05 015 00 / +261(0)33 15 015 01

W: www.accesbanque.mg

_2 rue Ihovana – Tsaralalana

Tel: +261(0)20 22 287 73

_33 avenue de l’Indépendance – Analakely

Tel: +261(0)20 22 276 77

_14 rue Général Rabehevitra – Antaninarenina

Tel: +261(0)20 22 231 25

mon-fri : 8:00 – 16:00

W: bfvsg.mg

Tel: +261(0)20 22 540 26

_Place de l’Indépendance – Antaninarenina

Tel: +261(0)20 22 346 09

mon-fri: 8:00 – 16:00

W: www.bmoinet.net

Place du 19 Mai 1946 – Antsahavola

Tel: +261(0)20 22 224 21 / +261(0)20 22 625 39

mon-fri: 8:00 – 16:00

W: www.bni.mg

2 Place de l’Indépendance ou Philibert Tsiranana – Antaninarenina

Tel: +261(0)20 22 391 00 / +261(0)20 22 392 50

W: www.boa.mg

Rue des 77 parlementaires français – Antsahavola

Tel: +261(0)20 22 272 62

W: www.mcbmadagascar.com

• SBM (State Bank of Mauritius)

1 rue Andrianary Ratianarivo – Antsahavola

Tel: +261(0)20 22 666 07

W: sbmgroup.mu

Within walking distance to the hotel:

Post offices

• Place Philibert Tsiranana – Antaninarenina (opposite BMOI bank)
• Avenue du 26 Juin 1960 – Analakely (opposite Analakly Market)

W: www.paositramalagasy.mg

Telephone companies

_Soarano Railway Station Shop n°5

_Lot IAG Immeuble Mirado 15 rue Ratsimilaho – Antaninarenina

W: www.telma.mg  

_DMT Kiosk: 26 avenue de l’Indépendance – Analakely

_Ampasamadinika agency: ex-Teillet Labrousse Building

W: www.orange.mg

_Airtel Shop Express: Analakely – Tel: +261(0)33 11 003 09

_Airtel Shop Express: G/F Digital World Center Building – Analakely – Tel: +261(0)33 11 001 02

W: airtel.com

Photo Service

• DMT Photo: 26 avenue de l’Indépendance – Analakely
• DMT Photo: 15 rue Ratsimilaho – Antaninarenina

Convenience stores and supermarkets

• Supermaki – rue Benily – Tsaralalana: convenience store
• Shoprite – 28 Rue Andriajampoinimerina – Analakely: supermarket
• Leader Price – Antaninarenina: supermarket

EMERGENCIES

• Police Emergency : 17 or 117 from a mobile phone

+261(0)20 22 357 09 / +261(0)20 22 357 10

• Fire department : 18 or 118 from a mobile phone

+261(0)20 22 390 30 / +261(0)33 15 500 86

• National Police Force : 19 or 119 from a mobile phone
• Pharmacie Nouvelle

10 rue Indira Gandhi – Tsaralalana

Tel: +261(0)20 22 207 37

• Pharmacie de l’Océan Indien

18 avenue de l’Indépendance – Analakely

Tel: +261(0)20 22 224 70

• Pharmacie de Tana

2 rue Ratianarivo – Antsahavola

Tel: +261(0)20 22 207 17

• Pharmacie Métropole

7 rue Ratsimilaho – Antaninarenina

Tel: +261(0)20 22 200 25

• Pharmacie de la Pergola

39 rue Ratsimilaho – Antaninarenina

Tel: +261(0)20 22 237 17

In the city

Land transport.

The taxis are usually beige-colored with a ‘Taxi Antananarivo’ sign on top.

No mileage counter – Always negotiate the fare before getting on the taxi.

Land transport

• Cotise Transport  – Co-operative

Lines: Tananarive/Tamatave ; Tananarive/Fianarantsoa ; Tananarive/Mahajanga ; Tananarive/Morondava

IVM 12 AT Ter Ambodivona

Tel: +261(0)32 11 027 33 / +261(0)32 11 027 10 / +261(0)32 12 027 00

W: cotisse-transport.com

• Traveline Madagascar

Lines: Tananarive/Tamatave ; Tananarive/Andasibe

Departure: Palm Hotel – rue Ratianarivo / rue Jean Jaurès – Tsaralalana

Tel: +261(0)34 02 340 02

W: www.travelinemadagascar.com

• Transport Première Classe

Lines: Tananarive/Mahajanga ; Tananarive/Ambanja

Departure: Le Grand Mellis Hotel – 3 rue Indira Gandhi – Tsaralalana

Tel: +261(0)32 40 134 76

W: www.malagasycar.com

Airline companies

International flights

• Air Austral

23 avenue de l’Indépendance – Analakely

mon-fri: 8:30-17:00 / sat: 9:00-12:00

Tel: +261(0)20 22 303 31

W: air-austral.com

E: [email protected]

_Tour Zital,  5 /F  – Route des Hydrocarbures – Ankorondrano

mon-fri: 8:30-17:00 / sat: 8:30-12:30

Tel: +261(0)20 23 230 23

_Air France – Ivato

Tel: +261(0)261 22589 40

W: airfrance.com

E: [email protected]

• Air Madagascar

31 avenue de l’Indépendance – Analakely

mon-fri: 7:30-17:00 / sat: 8:00-11:00

Tel: Madagascar Call center: +261(0)20 22 510 00 / +261(0)20 22 222 22 / +261(0)20 22 288 65

Tel: France & Europe Centre Call center: +33(0)1 42 66 00 00

W: airmadagascar.com

E: [email protected]

• Air Mauritius

Enceinte Tana Water Front – Ambodivona

Tel: +261(0)32 05 620 36

W: airmauritius.com

E: [email protected]

1 avenue de l’Indépendance – Hall Gare Soarano

mon-fri 8:30-17:00 / sat: 8:30-12:00

Tel: +261(0)20 22 633 36

W: corsair.fr

E: [email protected]

• Ethiopian Airlines

ex-SICAM Building – Analakely

Tel: +261(0)22 307 34 / +261(0)34 07 637 96 / +261(0)33 14 315 42

W: ethiopianairlines.com

E: [email protected]

• Turkish Airlines

Tel: +261(0)32 11 522 26

W: turkishairlines.com

• Airline companies represented by Rogers Aviation  :

mon-fri 8:30-17:30 / sat: 8:30-12:00

Tel: +261(0)20 22 359 90 / +261(0)20 22 622 52 / +261(0)34 49 359 90

E: [email protected] / [email protected]

• Air Seychelles
• Kenya Airways
• South African Airways

Domestic flights

mon-fri: 7 :30-16 :30 / sat: 8 :00-11 :00

Tel: Madagascar Call center: +261 20 22 510 00 / +261 20 22 222 22 / +261 20 22 288 65

• Madagasikara Airways

_Ankorondrano agency – Zoom – Ankorondrano

Tel: +261(0)20 22 236 12 / +261(0)32 05 970 03 / +261(0)34 05 970 03

_La City agency – Ivandry

Tel: +261(0)20 22 493 69 / +261(0)32 05 970 07

W: madagasikaraairways.com

E: [email protected]

c/o Air Madagascar – 31 avenue de l’Indépendance – Analakely

Tel: Madagascar Call center: +261 20 23 444 44 – mon-fri: 7 :30-19 :00

W: tsaradia.com

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• madagascar fam trips 2024 tour operator invitation

Madagascar Fam Trips 2024 - Tour Operator Invitation

On behalf of the Madagascar National Tourism Board (MNTB) and the Madagascar Confederation of Tourism , we are excited to share an invitation to Tour Operator members to attend the Madagascar 2024 Fam trips. 

Sincere apologies for the late notice - the June Fam Trip deadline for registration is today. If the June dates are not suitable for you, they would be delighted to welcome you for the Fam trips in September or November.

SATSA has partnered with Madagascar’s Confederation of Tourism, the credible and influential voice for the prosperity of tourism in Madagascar and will be signing an MOU during the International Tourism Fair (ITM) to be held at CCI Ivato, Antananarivo, 20 to 23 June 2024.

The partnership opens a unique opportunity for members to explore the island's breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich biodiversity and to include Madagascar in your tourism offering.

MNTB is organising Fam trips in June, September, and November 2024. For the first Fam trip, you are invited to register your interest for a 5 to 6-night stay between June 15th and 26th, in conjunction with ITM 2024.

This Fam trip is exclusively for Tour Operators and Travel Agencies meeting the following criteria:  

• Open to a partnership with Madagascar National Tourism Board for joint promotion of Madagascar in their country.
• Willing to attend B2B workshops with local operators during their stay.
• Covering the costs of international flight expenses.
• Limited to one representative per Tour Operator/Travel Agency. If operating across multiple regions, one representative per agency in each region is accepted.

Eleven proposed Fam trips are on offer, please click the Fam Trip Destinations below to download. To register your interest, follow the steps below:

• Fill out the registration form (download below) with your details, including your top 3 destination preferences.
• Email the completed form to [email protected] & [email protected] , with a copy to [email protected] and [email protected] .
• MNTB will acknowledge receipt of your email and confirm the chosen destination from your choices.
• Next, please submit your international flight "RESERVATION" for approval (same emails as above) before making the purchase.
• MNTB will approve and / or provide feedback as needed.
• Once approved, please send a digital copy of your international flight ticket for final confirmation. This will enable MNTB to book your domestic flight.

Important Notes

• Please wait for our approval before purchasing your international ticket.
• The deadline for submitting your registration form for the June Fam trip is May 28, 2024.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] and [email protected] . 

Fam Trip Destinations 

Fam Trip Registration Form 

MADAGASCAR NATIONAL TOURISM BOARD

As an island surrounded by the Mozambique Channel and the Indian Ocean, Madagascar is an exceptional seaside destination. With its year-round mild climate, it’s a delight for travellers who want to get away from it all and rediscover the pleasure of lounging on the beach. Kilometers of white sand stretching along a turquoise sea await visitors. Bathing, sunbathing, water sports, watching the comings and goings of the outrigger canoes and meeting the locals – all you have to do is let yourself be lulled by the gentle peace of life along Madagascar’s coastline.

Madagascar stats

• 1,600 km north-south
• 4,800 km of coastline
• World’s 2nd longest barrier reef
• 6 of the world’s 8 baobab species are endemic
• 294 bird species
• Over 1,000 species of orchid
• Around a hundred lemur species

© All rights reserved 2024