Is Madagascar Safe To Visit? Madagascar Safety Travel Tips

For unlimited Wi-Fi on the go whilst travelling Madagascar, buy a Skyroam Solis, which works in 130+ countries at one flat daily rate, paid for on a pay-as-you-go basis. It CAN definitely be safe, but visiting Madagascar requires a lot of research and preparation. While homosexuality is legal in Madagascar, we wouldn’t necessarily say it’s super safe for LGBTQ+ travellers.

Armed bandits often position themselves on major routes after dark to ambush vehicles. Criminals have also been known to stage breakdowns that block the roadway forcing drivers to slow down in order to rob them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined Madagascar has an unknown level of COVID-19. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel. If you’re into something more horror or macabre, then head over to Ambalavao.

Madagascar Customs

Located in Morondava, a city on the west coast of the island, travel time can vary. Flying to the city from Antananarivo takes about an hour, while driving can take upwards of 10 hours. While travel within the country is relatively safe, travelers should exercise caution during times of political turmoil.

Madagascar is known for having a poor infrastructure with bumpy roads that have lots of potholes. It can take forever to get from A to B, even if the distance looks short on the map. However, things are improving and several of the major routes have a tarmac surface in reasonable shape. Once you get off the major routes, be prepared for narrow dirt roads that link the towns and villages together. Also keep in mind that roads can get flooded in rainy season due to the heavy rainfall.

When Is The Best Time To Come?

Keep in mind that you must never try to export gemstones or other precious materials from Madagascar. The Madagascar government recently imposed restrictions on the export of precious gems, so before buying any gemstones, seek clarification about the applicable laws. Visitors should respect all elders and authority figures in the country. If you do visit a small remote village, make sure you first address the head of the tribe. There are severe penalties for sexual exploitation of minors in the country and it is an offence for civilians to dress in camouflage or other military-style clothing. Wearing military-style clothing can lead to detention and fines.

Driving conditions can be a little harsh in Madagascar, and the majority of rental agencies offer a mandatory driver with the car rental. Only 20% of Madagascar’s are sealed, making driving extremely difficult especially in rainy season. However, renting a car offers great flexibility and freedom to visit places at your own pace.

Power In Madagascar

Covid-19 global travel advisories for Botswana have been removed. Entry requirements and precautionary measures are in place in Botswana. Botswana is the third safest country in Africa to visit, based on the Global Peace Index Report of 2021. The report ranks Botswana at #41 according to its 23 indicators. Travel Nomads also rates Botswana as one of the safest countries in Africa. One of the friendliest and safest African countries to visit, Malawi ranks #59 on the Global Peace Index .

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee. Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather. If possible, fly on larger planes ; larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections. Check with your auto insurance policy’s international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable. In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

By Taxi

If you use it for your everyday spending and use the Delta Skymiles shopping Chrome extension, you can earn even earn bonus points that can all be used to redeem for free flights . Since Delta partners with Air France, you could easily collect enough miles to fly to Madagascar from the U.S. To travel from the US to Madagascar you’ll most likely fly Air France/Delta to get to Paris and then onwards to Antananarivo.

• The US Department of State also advises travelers to reconsider traveling to Equatorial Guinea due to COVID-19.
• When giving money, I keep it discrete and politely urge them to use it for food.
• Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.
• That said, we enjoyed traveling at this time as the temperature was comfortable during the day and insects and mosquitos were much less than they’d otherwise be during hot season.
• For example, Madagascar is a malarial region, particularly in coastal areas, so it is important to try and prevent insect bites by wearing long sleeves and carrying repellent.

Expanded throughout the 1700s, the walled complex contains a mound of palaces and burial grounds, crumbling fortifications, and regal tombs. King Andrianampoinimerina launched his now-famed campaigns to reunify the country from here, following more than seven decades of civil war in the 18th century. Admission is 10,000 MGA and you can also get a guide to show you around for free .

Souvenir Shopping In Madagascar

60% of its tourists are French, who form the majority because of cultural and historical links between the countries, and flight routes. People who are interested in the country’s botany, lemurs, birds, or natural history also make up a large part of its visitors. These visitors often travel as part of a tour and stay in the country for a long period of time.

Be cautious when traveling in bush taxis (taxi-brousse), and try to only use reputable companies, as some drivers are reckless on the roads. There is also a risk of the drivers robbing passengers. Much of Madagascar is still wild and undeveloped, with mountains, lush forests and vibrant coral reefs waiting to be explored. As stunning as this island is, you should be aware of a number of things to stay safe while traveling in this incredible country. Try to only use reputed companies as much as possible.

Useful Links For Travel In Madagascar

The hotel is set amongst lush grounds and each room has a view of the garden. Malagasy cuisine reflects the mix of Southeast Asian, African, Indian, Chinese and European influences present in Madagascar. Rice is a staple here and locals often eat it two or three times a day. This is not surprising, since in the highlands of Madagascar the landscape is filled with green rice fields as far as the eye can see. The rice is usually accompanied by some mix of protein and vegetables, often in a sauce containing ingredients such as tomatoes, garlic, onion, ginger and herbs. Purchase travel insurance – Always make sure you travel insured.

The whole of Madagascar below about 2000m is a malaria zone, though the parasite is much more easily picked up in crowded urban areas and struggles to survive much above 1700m. Business hours in Madagascar are notoriously fickle, but places tend to open roughly 8am–noon and 2–6pm Monday to Friday, with a short morning on Saturday (around 8–11am). Credit cards can be used to settle bills for some services, but most business are not set up to accept them. Travellers’ cheques are rarely carried and very hard to change as banks are not familiar with them.

Madagascar Showcases The Very Best Of Our Wild, Weird But Oh So Wonderful World

Additionally, flights run on limited schedules, and flights are often canceled without notice, so make sure your plans if you’re flying. They don’t leave on a set schedule and often break down due to the terrible road conditions. However, they are the most affordable and best option to get around.

These places are perfect for that crucial wedding proposal moment and as a honeymoon destination for newlyweds. You can also have this same experience in the north and within the surrounding islands of Nosy Be. If I’m being honest, while lemurs are cute I had the most fun meeting the chameleons of Madagascar! When I visited Tunisia a man would come to the beach with a chameleon and I found it so cute that I fell in love with these little reptiles. At Peyreiras Reptile Reserve you can meet the largest Chameleon in the world – the Parsons Chameleon – as well as ultra tiny Chameleons like the Madagascar Dwarf.

Travel Clinics And Health Information

If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. If I went back, I’d go by myself and explore with a car but I’m glad I went with a tour on my first visit. But I think you’d need to be an experienced traveler, really OK being pushed out of your comfort zone, and in absolutely no rush, because getting around on a budget will take time. You’re looking at spending at least $500 USD round-trip on a flight from Johannesburg (more if it’s high season).