BEFORE YOU GO TO MADAGASCAR

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

A touristic visa is necessary for any foreigner of any nationality to go to Madagascar. You can obtain it either at the Malagasy Embassy / consulate in your country, or directly at the airport when you arrive. In both cases, you will need to provide your return or continuing plane ticket and a valid passport for six months at least, after the departure date from Madagascar. For 2016, entry visa is pay-for along 80 000 MGA (25€) for a stay shorter or equal to a month. 100 000 MGA (31,25€) for a stay longer than a month and shorter or equal to two months. Fees may change along currency exchange rate. We strongly recommend you to prepare the exact amount at your arrival at the airport, as the customs do not give back the change.

It is the ARIARY which is currently around MGA 3 500 for 1 euro. For your travel expenses, we recommend you bring cash (Euros or dollars). Credit cards are accepted in very few hotels and only in the major cities’ banks. We recommend you change money at the airport upon arrival, all banks use the same rate more or less. Do not change your money on the black market during travel Madagascar !

The population speaks more or less French all over the island. Few people speak English or German yet. However, the tourism’s sector professionals speak more and more these three languages. At Boogie Pilgrim, we have English, French, German, Italian, japanese and Russian speaking guides.

No vaccinations are requested by law to go to Madagascar. However we highly recommend people to come in with up to date vaccinations against: – B hepatitis – Typhoid fever – Diphtheria / Tetanus / Polio * Anti-malaria treatment Despite stronger risks on the coast than in the highlands, and during the rainy season more than during the dry season, Malaria is present all over the island all year round. As a consequence, an anti-malaria treatment is recommended before, during and after your stay in Madagascar

Best season to go to Madagascar is during dry season, from April to mid November. Peak season is July to October : book ahead! Mid June to mid September is winter on the highlands (Antananarivo, Antsirabe, Fianarantsoa, Andringitra, Andasibe…) : during the day, temperatures are cool, approx. 18°C; but at night, temperatures can drop down till 5°C. On the coast, it is always nice and warm. Cyclonic season (mid December to mid March) is to be avoided.

When you go to Madagascar, prefer casual, comfortable, and easy-to-wash clothes. A warm jacket is useful during the winter months on the highlands (June to September). Hiking boots are highly recommended as long as some walks are included in your itinerary. Keep luggage to a minimum for your own comfort and ease of transport. Don’t forget : Mosquito repellant, Sun protection, flashlight or headlamp for night hikes

The national telephone company, TELMA, covers quite well almost the entire territory. It is possible to call anywhere in the world from most of the main towns. Average cost of an international communication is: 2,50 USD / minute for Europe. Imported mobile phones are fine in Madagascar. Iridium is in service, and most of big providers do works with Madagascar already: your cellular phone from home might work here ! Otherwise, the main mobile phone operators existing n Madagascar are: TELMA, ORANGE, ZAIN. The country is connected with the World Wide Net. Funny Cyber Cafés are all over the island, most of good standard hotels have internet Wifi connection. * How to call Madagascar from abroad? ? TELMA : 00 261 + 34 + 7 numbers ? ORANGE : 00 261 + 32 + 7 numbers ? ZAIN : 00 261 + 33 + 7 numbers * How to call abroad from Madagascar? 00 + international code of your country + your number

* Drinking water You should not drink tap water anywhere in Madagascar. Bottled mineral water is sold all over the country. * Electricity 220 volts is provided in all main towns. Same plugs as in France. However in smaller villages or isolated accommodations, electricity is often produced by generator. We suggest you to travel with a torch anywhere you go.

International flights:

AIR MADAGASCAR, CORSAIR and AIR FRANCE have direct flights to Antananarivo from Paris
AIR AUSTRAL has flights to Antananarivo from Reunion Island
AIR MAURITIUS has direct flights from Mauritius to Antananarivo
KENYA AIRWAYS has direct flights from Nairobi to Antananarivo
SOUTH AFRICAN AIRLINK connects Johannesburg to Antananarivo
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES connects Addis Abeba to Antananarivo
AIR SEYCHELLES connects Mahé to Antananarivo

Domestic flights: The national carrier AIR MADAGASCAR has a domestic flight network which covers almost the whole island. Regarding Madagascar’s size (as big as France and Benelux together) and the short time visitors usually have, the plane is probably the best way to travel when being in Madagascar.

Tailor-made: We also offers charter flights with bush pilots, to the most remote places of the island.