The Ultimate Travel Guide For Madagascar

Always look around at several options, inspect the bus, and go with the one that is almost at capacity as they do not leave until they are full. Hotels in Madagascar are very cheap and possibly some of the best for the budget prices. Warm showers are a rarity and the “Malagasy shower”, a simple bucket shower, was quite common. Western toilets were not always found, and if they were, they rarely were inclusive of the much sought-after toilet seat. Madagascar was a French colony until 1960 when it gained its full independence.

While snorkeling, surfing, scuba diving, whale watching and other activities are on offer, we took a more laid-back approach and simply chilled out. As is the case with other community parks, Reniala Spiny Forest Reserve operates with local people serving as guides and spotters. A portion of the tour fees is used to fund conservation projects in the community and to help protect these ancient trees and their habitat. The town of Andasibe, just outside the nearby national and community parks bearing its name, is a walk through everyday Madagascar.

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You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites. If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in Madagascar, there may be limited or no rabies treatment available. All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please seeCDC’s COVID-19 Vaccines for Specific Groups of Peoplefor more information. Rabies Rabid dogs are commonly found in Madagascar. COVID-19 All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.

Miraculously, all 20 million people in Madagascar speak various dialects of Malagasy, and everyone can understand each other. This is a farcry from other African countries where there are dozens of languages in just one country that are completely unrelated to each other. If you choose to travel independently, there is public transport around the country via minibuses. However, be prepared for these buses to be stuffed. The other option is to hire a private driver and car to take you around (going rate is €50-€100/day we hear).

Faqs About Madagascar

Political instability has resulted in this impoverished nation becoming even poorer in recent years, and ever more dependent on the diminishing forests for survival. If you’re travelling with a large group, it’s beneficial to obtain your Madagascar VISA within your home country. Otherwise, it’s easy to purchase a tourist VISA upon arrival at the airport for 30, 60, or 90 days.

You can book our guaranteed hotels for your extra accommodation; before or after your tour days. The dry season gets some peak times for the number of tourists, but it is also the best weather to see most of the highlights in nature. You get the best view of the animals and possibly get better chances to see the whales near the dry season’s end. You can mostly visit all of Madagascar, just keep in mind that possible rains and different temperatures in various parts are always possible.

Is It Safe To Drive In Madagascar?

A camera with a good zoom for photographing lemurs. The climate is determined by the dominant south-eastern trade winds that originate in the Indian Ocean anti-cyclone. It is also best not to rely on credit cards as they are not accepted widely at all. Traveling responsibly is better for the lemurs, better for the Malagasy, and – we believe – a much more memorable vacation for you… Wood carving is highly skilled with regional specialities, including panels, ornaments, trays and furniture.

There are many different climates throughout the country. There are many beer brands in Madagascar , and THB, Three Horses Beer turned out to be our favorite. It also belongs equally to cars as it does people in these ox carts. Arab traders came later on, followed by the French who would eventually colonize the island and also influence the culture and language of this island. Members of our group came from Europe, North America and Australia. Since we flew to Madagascar from Berlin, Germany the easiest connection was on Turkish Airlines.

Hiring A Driver

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. If you’re carrying a DSRL, use a sling – When you’re in Madagascar you’ll want to take photos of the lemurs and other wildlife, so it’s likely you’ll have DSLR equipment with you. If you do, purchase a sling so you can keep your camera close to you and easily put it away.

I would say that 75% of the tourists we came across were older French people. Nevertheless, we were in Madagascar for a month and we could go a whole day without seeing a single foreigner. Beaches are isolated, restaurants are empty, and national parks are spacious. A very welcome change of pace from all the other African countries I’ve visited where tourism is so developed. While everyone goes to Nosy Be for the fancier resorts, if you want something a little more local, cheaper, and more relaxed, check out Île Sainte Marie.

Madagascar Travel Guide: Planning A Trip To Madagascar

You get better rates for large denominations of euros and US dollars and UK pounds and rates are better in Antananarivo than in provincial cities. Animal life on the island is equally impressive, in particular the more than 100 species of lemurs, nearly all of which are rare or threatened. The island is home to over 300 species of birds, approximately 260 species of reptiles, and a massive number of amphibians and insects. 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.

The Nem looks simple to prepare, but it is a bit difficult to make. As you walk and explore, be sure to get some of these delicious and crispy snacks from Madagascar’s street vendors. As soon as you see an ATM, make sure to withdraw some cash because credit cards rarely ever work. The best option is to have your Visa card and make such a withdrawal with this card. Mastercard is also accepted in many ATMs and banks but not as easily as Visa.

Travel Guide

Be sure to carry a back-up method of payment in case ATM access becomes difficult. Mobile phone coverage is generally good in Madagascar’s large cities and towns, but less so in rural areas and on remote islands. Ensure you have global roaming activated before leaving home if you wish to use your mobile phone.

The prime months to visit Madagascar are from July to September because of the pleasant weather and whale watching. I was there about a year ago and I couldn’t have felt more safe. My friend and I actually walked around Antsirabe at night to join in on some Malagasy concert that was taking place and we had a great time. I’d say it’s no different than your standard African country. I found the people to be incredibly friendly and curious.

Is Madagascar Safe To Visit Right Now?

Travelling independently can be surprisingly affordable if you are prepared to rough it a little. Two main ways to save on expenses are to sleep in hostels and take public minibus transport (shared taxi-brousse). The shared minibuses do, however, require patience and are often crowded so prepare to be uncomfortable.

Our Budget Madagascar Tours offer excellent-value-for-money and are designed to make travelling in Madagascar easier and more fulfilling. The idea is to enable travellers to focus on enjoying the country without expending too much energy on logistics and budgeting along the way. All accommodation and transfers are typically included, along with some or most meals and activities, and an English-speaking guide for park visits. Our affordable Madagascar Tours are packed with adventure but you won’t be tested to your limits in an overcrowded minibus or dodgy hostel.