Madagascar

Visa

Nationals of most countries can obtain a visa on arrival valid for up to 90 days. Stays of up to 30 days cost 80,000 Ar. while for a maximum stay of 60 days the cost is 100,000 Ar. for a stay of up to 90 days the cost is 140,000 Ar. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months and a return ticket.

As of March 2018, 30 day visas received at the airport are obtained using cash only for either 80,000/100,000/140,000 Madagascar Airary or Euro or dollars equivalent. A counter before entry issues visas.

By plane

From Europe or Asia or North America, the best connections with lower fares are with Kenya airways or Ethiopian airlines or Turkish airlines. Air Madagascar [4] (“AirMad”), and Air France or Corsair [5] fly from Paris to Antananarivo.

Air Austral (french) runs flights to Madagascar from Paris with transfer on Reunion Island.

Travelers from Europe and Asia can also fly with Air Mauritius [6].

Air Madagascar also operates a weekly service between Nairobi and Antananarivo.

Flights from Johannesburg, South Africa, using Air Madagascar codeshared with SA Airlink [7]. Flights run 6 days a week.

Note that the airport is located right next to the city Ivato with cheap public transport to Tana center (500 ariary). You can sleep in the airport.

By Boat

There are no more Ferries from Toamasina on the east coast going to Mauritius via Reunion. you can only fly to Mauritius or Reunion now days.

Climate

The climate is tropical along the coast, temperate inland, and arid in the south. The weather is dominated by the southeastern trade winds that originate in the Indian Ocean anticyclone, a centre of high atmospheric pressure that seasonally changes its position over the ocean. Madagascar has two seasons: a hot, rainy season from November to April, and a cooler, dry season from May to October. There is, however, great variation in climate owing to elevation and position relative to dominant winds. The east coast has a sub-equatorial climate and, being most directly exposed to the trade winds, has the heaviest rainfall, averaging as much as 3,500 mm (137.8 in) annually. This region is notorious not only for a hot, humid climate in which tropical fevers are endemic but also for the destructive cyclones that occur during the rainy season, coming in principally from the direction of the Mascarene Islands. Because rain clouds discharge much of their moisture east of the highest elevations on the island, the central highlands are appreciably drier and, owing to the altitude, also cooler. Thunderstorms are common during the rainy season in the central highlands, and lightning is a serious hazard.

Antananarivo receives practically all of its average annual 1,400 mm (55.1 in) of rainfall between November and April. The dry season is pleasant and sunny, although somewhat chilly, especially in the mornings. Although frosts are rare in Antananarivo, they are common at higher elevations.

Language

The official languages are Malagasy and French.

Malagasay is a Malayo-Polynesian language related to Malay and Indonesian that is spoken by the majority of the island as a native language. As well as being the name of the language, “Malagasy” also refers to the people of the island. Because the island is so large there are many different dialects. The Merina dialect is the “Official Malagasy” of the island and is spoken around the highlands of Antananarivo. Most Malagasy, however, speak Merina across the island.

French is the second official language of Madagascar. The government and large corporations use French in everyday business, but 75-85% of Malagasy only have limited proficiency in this language. Attempts by foreigners to learn and speak Malagasy are liked and encouraged by the Malagasy people.

Tourist workers and some government officials will have a reasonable command of English.

Currency

The unit of money is the ariary (Ar). It is subdivided into 5 iraimbilanja and is one of only two non-decimal currencies currently circulating (the other is the Mauritanian ouguiya).

As of February 2015, 1 € is equal to 3200 Ar while $1 is 2850 Ar. Hotel and tour prices are frequently quoted in Euro, and Euro is accepted for most high-end transactions.

The currency system was overhauled in 2006, when a previous currency, the Malagasy Franc (Franc Malgache) was replaced at a ratio of 1 ariary = 5 francs. Confusingly, many people continue to quote prices in francs, so it is imperative to confirm the amount in ariary.

There are MCB or BFV or BNI banks ATMs in most cities and towns. Visa cards and Master cards are accepted.

Security

Madagascar is a fairly safe country. You must, however, respect some simple principles:

Don’t walk around at night in Antananarivo (other cities are pretty safe).

Don’t exhibit signs of wealth (cameras, jewels, …).

Similarly, always carry small bills. Paying with large bills shows off your wealth, can insult the seller because they will not have change, and opens you up for becoming a target.

Don’t resist in case of aggression.

Don’t provoke stray dogs.

Keep an eye on your belongings when using public transportation or visiting markets where numerous pickpockets swarm.