Epic Madagascar - 2024-25

Evolution has occurred more or less in isolation on this remote island – located 400 kilometres off Africa’s east coast – with the result that much of its indigenous wildlife is found nowhere else on earth. Madagascar’s menagerie of weird and wonderful creatures includes the world’s biggest and smallest chameleons and over 70 species of lemur – long-tailed primates endemic to the island. The Madagascan landscape is no less compelling than the resident wildlife, with terrain ranging from lush jungles and palm-fringed beaches to the knife-edged karst tsingys of the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park’s ‘stone forests’. Madagascar is an otherworldly paradise where visitors are offered a unique glimpse into a fantastical one-of-a-kind world.

VISA

It is the responsibility of the client to obtain their own visas.  Please apply for the online visa between 1 – 3 months before departure (not earlier).

All nationals require a visa to enter Madagascar.  The cost of a single entry visa is USD37.00. 

Most visitors could either obtain a visa on arrival or apply for a visa online. Please click on the following link for more information and the online visa - https://www.e-visa-madagascar.com/

Please Note:

1. Evidence of Yellow Fever immunization may be requested if you are arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
2. It is a requirement that you have a validity of 6 months on your passport at the time of travel and at least 4 blank pages in order to gain entry

Currency 
Local currency: Ariary 
Symbol: Ar 
ISO code: MGA 
Central bank: Central Bank of Madagascar 
Subunit: Iraimbilanja 
Banknotes: Notes are in denominations of Ar20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200 and 100. 
Coins: Coins are in denominations of Ar50, 20, 10, 5, 2, 1, and 2, 1 Iraimbilanja. 

Banking 
Card Transactions: 
ATMs: Yes, mostly in and around the capital 
Mastercard: Yes, mostly in and around the major cities 
Visa: Yes, mostly in and around the major cities 
American Express: Yes, mostly in and around the major cities 
Diner’s Club: Yes, mostly in and around the major cities 
 
Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 08:00 –11:00 and 16:00 
Weekends: No
Public Holidays: No  
Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Air:  
Main airlines: Air Madagascar 
International Airports: Ivato International Airport   
 
Road: 
Tar roads: No 
Gravel roads: No 
Valid International Drivers License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
Uber available: No 
 
Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: Yes/No 
Local city bus networks: Yes/No 
 
Rail: 
Railway system: Yes 
Subway System: No 
 
Water: 
Ferries: Yes 
Water taxis: Yes 
Leisure cruises: Yes 

COMMUNICATIONS & SAFETY

All lodges have 24-hour radio contact with their base support headquarters and each game-drive vehicle has radio contact with camp. 

CELL PHONES

Quad-band cell phones on global roaming generally work from all major urban centres. They do not, however, work from many of the safari camps due to limited reception.

WI-FI / INTERNET

Internet access is limited throughout Africa and varies from camp to camp. Please refer to the camp information for specific details.

TRAVEL ADVICE & WARNINGS

We strongly recommend you review the current travel advice for your country/countries of destination before booking and ensure you remain up to date with this advice before travelling.

Australia: http://smartraveller.gov.au/countries/Pages/default.aspx

UK: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

USA: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html

REGISTER YOUR TRAVEL

We recommend that you register your travel with your local authority. These services are free and help locate you in case of an emergency. Updates to travel advice are also provided through the subscription service.

Australia - Smart Traveller service - https://orao.dfat.gov.au/pages/

USA - Smart Traveller service - https://step.state.gov/step/

Food and water safety:  
Can you drink the tap water: No
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes, only if well-cooked and peeled
Ice: No
Meat: Yes, only if well-cooked
Street food: No

 
Local cuisine:  

Madagascar's cuisine blends African, Asian, and European influences. Staples include rice, zebu meat, and seafood, seasoned with local spices. Notable dishes are Romazava (beef stew) and Mofo Anana (bread with greens). For dessert, Koba is a mix of peanuts, bananas, and honey. 

Drinks: 

Ranovola - Burnt rice water 

Three Horses Beer 

Malagasy Wine 

Litchel - An aperitif made from lychees. 

Rhum arrangé - Homemade flavoured rums 
 
Tipping: 5% 

Annual rainfall: The average annual precipitation varies from 1,000 to 1,500 mm. 
Average temperature: The average annual temperatures vary between 23°C and 27°C along the coast and between 16°C and 19°C in the central mountains. 
 
Summer: 
Average in highs: 27°C 
Average in lows: 17°C 
 
Winter: 
Average in highs: 21°C 
Average in lows: 11°C 
 
Best time to visit: 

April to October are generally the best months to visit Madagascar. This dry, cool season is when days are bright and usually warm to very warm and nights mild, perfect for either lazy leisure seeking or a thrilling outdoor adventure.  

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 

Lightweight warm clothes: Yes 
 
Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Yes 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No 
 
General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 
 

Wifi available at: 
Internet cafes: Yes 
Accommodation options: Yes 
Restaurants: No 
Cafes: No 
Shopping malls: No 
Public parks: No 
Libraries: No 

Plug Type: C and E 
Voltage (V): 220 V 
Frequency Hertz (Hz): 50 Hz 
 
*A Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances. 

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is highly recommended that clients obtain comprehensive Travel Insurance cover. Please furnish Epic with a copy of your insurance policy prior to travel.
If you require assistance with travel insurance please click on the following link - Travel Insurance.

• Hospitalisation and Repatriation
• Cancellation and Missed flight connections
• Loss of baggage and loss/breakage of valuables en route
• Loss/breakage of valuables such as cameras

PHOTOGRAPHY

Digital cameras are the best for wildlife, with a good zoom up to 300mm or more. If you have an SLR it is a good idea to bring a point and shoot as back up. Remember to bring plenty of memory cards, spare batteries and battery chargers (Please check that you have all your chargers for cell phones, iPods, kindles, camera and video batteries).

If you need to or are interested in hiring a lense to take with you, here are a couple of websites for you to take a look at:

In the USA  - https://www.lensrentals.com

In Australia -  https://rentalens.com.au/index.php or http://www.camerahire.com.au/hire/digital-slr

GRATUITIES

Although tipping is not compulsory, if service expectations are exceeded, we recommend the following:

• Airport/Hotel/ Porters carriers – USD2.00 per porter
• Professional Guides/Tour Leaders – USD20.00 per group per day
• Safari Driver/Guides – USD15.00 per group per day. This should be handed to the guide personally
• General Camp Staff – USD10 .00 per guest per day. This can be placed in a communal tip box or handed to the camp manager.