Madagascar Travel and Tour Information

Travel Medical prevention

Cities have hospitals and modern clinics. There are efficient systems of sanitary evacuation also. All villages have little clinics with physicians and medicines.
Aside usual hygiene advice and protection against mosquito bites, no particular medicine is necessary for people in good health.
Nevertheless, it is necessary to bring clothes adapted to changing climates according to different regions.

Yellow fever immunization proof is required if you have travelled to an infected zone six months before your arrival.
Let's mention that stress of traveling and changes in the diet used to be the main reasons of tourist's diarrhea. Hand gels sanitizers are useful to prevent diarrhea. Try to avoid raw or uncooked vegetables, salads or seafoods. Fruits are safe when well washed.

Madagascar visa formalities

Passport and visa are required. Entry and staying visa is issued by Malagasy Embassies, Malagasy Consular representations, the Police commissioner at the airport or, exceptionally, through correspondence with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Be careful for your dates of stay as there is no posibility of extension for the airport visa. The normal fee for visa at the airport is 65 euros. Now, it is free for less than 30 day stay.

Getting to Madagascar

The connections departing to Madagascar are Paris (France), Marseille (France), Nairobi (Kenya), Jo'burg (South Africa), St Denis (Reunion island), Curepipe (Mauritius island), Bangkok (Thailand), Moroni (Comoros) and Guangzhou (China). The airlines companies are Air Madagascar, Air France, Air Mauritius, South African Airlink, Air Austral and Corsairfly. The capital city, Antananarivo is well known also as Tana (pronounce Tàna). The airport is Antananarivo-Ivato International Airport (TNR).

Exchange control and currency

Foreigners are not compelled to declare foreign currencies. Visa cards are accepted by banks and some shops.

The official currency is Ariary (Ar 1 = 5 FMG, the former unit), both FMG and Ariary appear on the currency. Online newspapers (Midi Madagasikara or L'Express de Madagascar, for exemple) give you the bank rates of currencies. Visa card is widely accepted as Mastercard used to be accepted around the capital city only.