Madagascar

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Quick Facts

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Capital

Antananarivo

Population

18,600,000

Government

Republic

Religions

Indigenous beliefs, Christianity, Islam

Languages

Malagasy, French

Calling Code

+261

Nationality

Malagasy

Currency

Ariary

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• baluba (49%)
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Introduction

Jumping Sifaka

© All Rights Reserved baluba

Some 400 kilometres off the coast of mainland Africa, Madagascar measures up to be the world's fourth largest island. Due to its size and remoteness, Madagascar's wildlife is unique, varied and very, very abundant. The island is an ideal habitat for lemurs, chameleons, geckos, aloes and delightful flowering plants. No wonder it has been named one of the world's most ecologically rich nations. Despite some bad habits in the way of forest destruction in the past, Madagascar is seeking to maintain its wonderful natural treasures. Eco-tourists, cross your fingers.
Excellent beaches and a unique culture (everything about this place seems to be unique) round out its attraction.

There are a lot of local customs or fady (taboos) in Madagascar's everyday life. Check before eating pork in some places or pointing with an outstretched finger. Places will include anything royal, tombs, monuments or places where the 'ancestors' are believed to still live, this includes the 'Tsingy.'

Brief History

Geography

Provinces

Madagascar is currently made up of 6 autonomous provinces.

• Antananarivo
• Antsiranana
• Fianarantsoa
• Mahajanga
• Toamasina
• Toliara

Cities

• Antananarivo - the capital
• Antsirabe
• Toamasina
• Fianarantsoa
• Mahajanga

Sights and Activities

Much of Madagscar's landscapes and unique biodiversity is protected. There are about 5 strict nature reserves and dozens of national parks and wildlife reserves. You can spend months of exploring. This is just a shortlist.

Ramonafana National Park

Flying Lemur

© All Rights Reserved baluba

Ranomafana National Park is located in the southeastern part of Madagascar and was established in 1991 with the purpose of conserving the unique biodiversity of the local ecosystem and reducing the human pressures on the protected area. Ranomafana National Park consist of large densely forested hills. The main attraction here is to spot animals and plants you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Wildlife includes many species of Lemurs (semi-monkeys). Plants, flowers and trees species are numerous and there are hardwoods, tree ferns, palms, mosses and colourful orchids. Over 100 bird species have been recorded as well, sixty of which exist only in Madagascar. The crystal clear waterstreams plunge into the rushing Namorona River which forms the hart of the park.

Tsingy de Bemaraha

Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve is one of the highlights of the country and is on the Unesco World Heritage List. It consists of karstic landscapes and limestone uplands cut into impressive 'tsingy' peaks and a 'forest' of limestone needles. Also there are spectacular canyons, rolling hills and rugges peaks and the forests, lakes and mangrove swamps are the habitat for rare and endangered lemurs and birds.

Beaches

Ile de Saint Marie

© All Rights Reserved beppe

There are some fine places in Madagascar where you can enjoy the fine white sandy beaches, fringed with palms and local bars. Nosy Bé is one of the most popular ones, but in the north and northeast there are numerous options. The Saint Marie Islands along the eastern coastline are impressive as well.

Atsinanana

The Rainforests of the Atsinanana are on the Unesco World Heritage List and comprise six national parks which are located in the northeast of the island. These forests are important for maintaining Madagascar’s unique biodiversity, which reflects the island’s geological history. Madagascar’s plant and animal life evolved in isolation and the rainforests are important to both ecological and biological processes as well as their biodiversity and many species of primates and lemurs are very rare and endangered.

Other sights and activities

Flooded Avenue of Baobabs

© All Rights Reserved tarmo

• Royal Hill of Ambohimanga
• Masoala National Park
• Avenue de Baobabs - Morondava
• Isalo National Park

Events and Festivals

Weather

Madagascar has a hot and humid tropical climate, although from around 1000 meters things become more bearable.
Temperatures usually are around 30 degrees Celsius during the day and still around or above 20 degrees at night.
Warmest months are between October and April, it is somewhat cooler from May to September, but still pleasantly warm, around 25 degrees Celsius during the day. More inland temperatures are especially lower during the cooler months, with Antananarivo for example just slightly above 20 at daytime and dropping below 10 degrees at night. These months are fairly dry here. Rainfall is most abundant during the wet season from November to March, but the eastcoast is wet year round, with at least 2000 mm of rain here, but some areas have double that amount. Rainfall decreases towards the inland plateau and towards the west and south. The southwest only has between 400 mm and 800 mm a year.
From November to March, Madagascar is usually hit a few times by hurricanes, though not whole of the island.

Getting There

Being an island, the only way to get there is by plane and by boat.

By Plane

Air Madagascar is the national airline of the country with its base at Ivato International Airport (TNR) near the capital Antananarivo. International destinations include those to and from Bangkok, Johannesburg, Marseille, Mauritius, Milan, Moroni, Nairobi, Paris and Reunion. Air France and Corsairfly have flights from Paris and a few other airlines serve South Africa, Mauritius and Reunion as well.

By Boat

There are regular boat services from Mauritius and Reunion to Toamasina in Madagascar on the east coast. It departs approximately once every two weeks.

Getting Around

Now considered to be a safe destination for travellers but getting around can be an adventure in itself, terrible terrible roads in most places. The main mode of transport is the incredulous taxi brousses. These however are very well organised with frequent departures to most destinations.

By Plane

Air Madagascar has a comprehensive network with regular and often daily flights to most major towns. Destinations include Ambanja, Ambatomainty, Ambatondrazaka, Analalava, Ankavandra, Antalaha, Antananarivo Antsalova, Antsirabe, Antsiranana, Antsohihy, Belo, Besalampy, Farafangana, Fianarantsoa, Fort Dauphin at Tolagnaro, Maintirano, Majunga, Mampikony, Manakara, Mananara, Mananjary, Mandritsara, Manja, Maroantsetra, Morafenobe, Morombe, Morondava, Nosy Be, Port Berge, Rincon de la Jose, Sambava, Soalala, Ste Marie, St Pierre, Tamatave, Tambohorano, ToamasinaTsaratanana, Tsiroanomandidy, Tulear and Vohemar.

By Train

The only serviceable railway line at the moment is the one from Fianarantsoa to Manakara to the east.

By Car

Car hire is possible but remember that they drive on the right so all vehicles will be left hand drive. Many of the roads are dreadful so it may be worth considering a 4x4 depending on your destination(s). Make sure you have spare tyres etc. and good breakdown cover. Some of the remote regions have no telephones and your mobile wont work so be prepared to do roadside repairs yourself if necessary. You can however, sometimes hire a driver with your vehicle who are often used to having to do a 'quick fix'. Also make sure you get comprehensive insurance. You may be a good driver, but some are not, patently obvious by the condition of some of the vehicles you see around!!!

By Bus

Taxi brousses (mini buses)serve just about every town and are very reasonably priced. They are certainly a good way to get around if you dont want to pay for internal flights. But some of the routes are long and arduous. Try to book seats either up front with the driver or in one of the three seats directly behind. There are taxi brousse stations in every major town with various companies having their own kiosk. Look around for one with the most serviceable looking vehicles. Most will not leave until the bus is full and will usually drive around the town trying to pick up extra passengers before finally departing. On long routes, particularly overnight, a stop will be made at a small village where rows and rows of food stalls will offer you ample sustinence to continue the journey. They also make regular toilet stops (behind a bush/in a gully etc. Ladies, leave your pride at home!)

The fairly new 'Madabus' is a more comfortable option but destinations are limited to those where the roads are good namely to Tamatave and destinations along the RN7.

By Boat

There is also the option of getting a boat or pirogue to some places but check the wind is in the right direction or you could find yourself heading home!

Red Tape

All nationals require a visa to visit Madagascar. Visas for up to three months are available at the airport. If you need to stay longer and you have bought your visa at the airport, you will have to leave the country and then re-enter. Good excuse to visit Mayotte for a night or two!
If you obtain your visa before you go, there is a possibility that you can extend it, but this could be a long process so allow yourself plenty of time before it runs out.

Money

See also Money Matters

The official currency is Madagascar Ariary (MGA). Banknotes are in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10,000 ariary. The old system of Francs (MGF) is still often used. Five francs equal to one ariary.

Work

Study

Language

The principle language is Malagasy with a second language of French. However, the people are now starting to realise the benefits of speaking English and you will often find English speaking guides. Check though as sometimes their idea of English speaking means the ability to say please and hello.

The Malagasy people are some of the most friendly and polite you will find anywhere in the world. Expect to hear 'Bonjour Madam/Monsieur' everywhere you go, especially from young children. Take the time to talk to them, they don't always want to sell you something. 'Salama, Inona no vaovao,' pronounced 'Salama eena vowvow,' the traditional Malagasy greeting meaning 'Hello, whats the news?' will go a long long way, often resulting in fits of hysterical giggles. The reply is always 'Tsy Misy,' meaning 'nothing much.'

Eat

You will find an abundance of eateries almost everywhere you go. In major towns and cities this can range from 'street food' to lavish slap ups in some rather exquisite French restaurants.
The patisseries at the Hotel Colbert in Tana and The Grand in Diego have cakes and chocolates to die for.

Typical Malagasy food consists of rice, which is eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner, together with braised zebu or whole tiny fish. Not for the faint hearted, you could have bits of gristle or skin floating around your greasy broth and the fish is eaten bones and all. They waste nothing! Opt for one of the better restaurants who will serve you a more tasty version. Alternatively, try Mi Sao, a delicious combination of noodles with vegetables and meat or fish. Its dirt cheap and really filling.

You can also expect to find a huge assortment of fresh seafood; Langoustines, crab, lobster, squid and all manner of fish. Beef is usually from 'Zebu', served as steak or brochettes. Pork is sometimes available but it is rare to find lamb. Bacon is non existant. Bread is baked daily and comes in the form of 'baguettes' You will get a chunk of this, or fresh croissants for breakfast, served with butter and a preserve often made out of Tamarind or the local Pic Pic.

'Street food' will consist of tiny zebu brochettes, samosas, pakoras, fried chicken, boiled eggs, coleslaw and banana fritters amongst other things. If you are on the night taxi brousse you will find yourself stopping at villages where there are endless candle lit stalls selling an alarming array of freshly cooked food and delicious coffee. All incredibly cheap.

Also readily available are vast amounts fruits and vegetables, but expect to find at least 26 pips in each orange!
Madagascar is a producer of many spices, coffee, tea and the ubiquitous vanilla.

Sleep

Hotels can vary enormously. From a typical wooden 'shack' with no electricity and bucket showers to lavish hotels with all mod cons. Mostly though, in towns you will find reasonable accomodation with en suite hot showers. At the beach resorts most of the accomodation will be in the form of a beach bungalow with facilities varying depending on its remoteness. But even the most salubrious of these may only come with cold showers.

Drink

In almost every bar you will find an often alarming array of bottles of 'rhum' in which are steeped anything from vanilla and cinammon to passion fruit and the local 'pic pic'. Sometimes these can be quite lethal but its always worth trying one or two!
If white rum is not to your liking, the dark, french imported Mangoustans is one of the smoothest rums you will ever taste. Cheap too, you can pick up a bottle in the supermarkets in Tana for less than £2.
The best white rum is made in Antsirabe. Try it with freshly squeezed limes, sugar cane syrup and crushed ice.
Madagascan wine produced in Fianarantsoa is, at best, plonk. But you can get some decent French and South African wines, they just dont come cheap!
Soft drinks are readily available, Coke, Sprite, Tonic etc. but you will be hard pushed to find low calorie/sugar free versions. Tea and coffee are grown on the island and are quite superb.

Health

See also Travel Health

There is Malaria throughout Madagascar so be sure to take the usual precautions. You can buy malaria 'cures' as well as a whole heap of other drugs at pharmacies, but there are no guarantees that these are the real thing, so best to take all you need from your home country. Rabies has been known so if you are planning on handling animals it is best to get inoculated before you go. If you do get bitten, see a doctor and you can get further injections from the pharmacy. As with all other third world countries, Aids, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B etc. are rife, so take precautions.

You should find that all water in hotels etc. is drinkable, but if in doubt, bottled water is readily available.

Safety

See also Travel Safety

Madagascar is relatively safe but take all the usual precautions. No displays of wealth, keep an eye on your bags and don't walk alone at night. There are plenty of official taxis at all times and they are pretty cheap. It is highly unlikely that anyone will try to cheat you, if you get confused with the money, shopkeepers will often look at you bewilderingly and return the excess bundle of notes you have given in mistake.

Keep Connected

Internet

There are internet cafes in most major towns but dont expect broadband!

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

Abundant phone booths almost everywhere. You can pick up cards in most shops. Calling home can be pretty cheap this way. Mobile phones can be used in towns but rarely in rural areas. You can pick up local sim cards really cheap. Opt for Orange, they have the best coverage. Again, a cheap way of calling home. Pick up top up cards almost everywhere, available from 2000ar to 50000ar.

Post

You can have mail sent to you 'poste restante' but takes an eternity with the possibility of not receiving it at all. Likewise sending mail home. Postcards are ok but I have had several letters go amiss.
It is possible to send parcels but make sure you have a post office approved box, take it to the post office, then to the administative building to have the contents listed, then to customs to have it checked and sealed, then back to the post office. You cannot send anything animal, vegetable or mineral. Better to give all your old clothes to the orphanage and take any souveniers in your bag with you.