A passport is required for international travel. Most countries require passports to be valid 6 months after your return date and that it contains sufficient blank pages for visas and immigration stamps. You also may need a valid visa and health certificate.
If you are traveling with minors, some countries may require additional documentation, please ask us for details.
Visa regulations and fees change so we recommend you consult your nearest consulate or embassy for details. You can also visit the United States Department of State web site at http://travel.state.gov/
Africa Adventure Consultants recommends that all our clients take out comprehensive travel insurance. If you’d like a quote, please contact us for pricing. https://adventuresinafrica.com/planning-guide/travel-insurance/
Luggage: There are strict luggage restrictions in place on safari itineraries which includes light aircraft transfers/charter flights. Soft sided luggage or duffel bags are recommended. Weight allowance per person is specific to your trip but generally limited to: East Africa: 33 lbs. / Southern Africa: 44 lbs.
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.
Entry Requirements
For US citizens: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Madagascar.html
Banking and Currency
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
Travel, Transport and Getting Around
Although the island is small on the world atlas, the distances between the capital and the most interesting sights are large enough and - except for a few main areas - you cannot expect to average more than 60 km / h (35mph) speed. All major roads are equipped with milestones, which indicate the distance to the next large city. When you will travel on dirt roads, off the beaten track, the average speed will drastically decrease.
Driving in Madagascar is on the right-hand side.
Health and Medical Information
CDC health information for travelers: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/madagascar
Food, Drink and Cuisine Advice
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%
Climate and Weather
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.
Clothing and Dress Recommendations
To cope with the Madagascan climate, lightweights should be worn during the summer on high central plateaux and throughout the year in the north and south. Cotton and natural fibres work better in this sweaty weather. Warmer clothes are advised for during the evenings and winter in mountainous areas. Rainwear is advisable as a precaution.
Please note that military uniform is banned in African countries. If you've forgotten anything - don't panic. Madagascar is not the back of beyond, and you can buy everything you need there. A day bag is useful to bring as it can hold your binoculars, sunscreen, insect repellent, fleece and other items for the daytime activities.
Internet Availability
Wifi available at:
Internet cafes: Yes
Accommodation options: Yes
Restaurants: No
Cafes: No
Shopping malls: No
Public parks: No
Libraries: No
Electricity and Plug Standards
In Madagascar, the two-pronged plug and the European standard socket are the most used with a tension of 220 volts (but it may go down to 170 volts in some areas at peak times). http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plug-voltage-by-country/
