Traveling to Madagascar means that we come into contact with Madagascar’s history, culture and mentality that is different from ours. As a visitor, it is important to adapt your behavior, but also to be flexible in your expectations. It helps to be prepared that even the most well-planned ingredients in our journey can be completely different.
Travel documents:
We will send you airline tickets, participant list and hotel list approximately 7 days before departure. Please note that your name on the flight ticket must be exactly the same as in your passport. One first name is enough, but if you have two or more last names, all last names must be on the ticket. The letters Å-Ä-Ö will be written as AA-AE-OE on the flight ticket according to international rules. If you discover that we have misspelled your name on your booking confirmation, please contact us immediately so that we can correct this before we issue your airline tickets.
Passport, visa and customs:
A tourist visa is available at Tana Airport for USD 35 and is valid for 30 days. (90-day tourist visa costs $ 84). Please note that the passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of return. Check this carefully as otherwise problems may arise upon arrival in Madagascar. You also need a passport photo. You need to show that you have a valid return ticket and enough money for the stay. Make sure that the passport does not have any broken or loose sides. The passport must contain at least 2 unstamped pages.
Vaccinations and health:
For most travelers, medicines for malaria and hepatitis are recommended. Review your basic protection against tetanus, polio and diphtheria before departure and contact your vaccination center for current information, at least one month before departure. Do not drink tap water. There is bottled water everywhere to buy. If you come from an infected area, vaccination against yellow fever and cholera is required. Protect yourself from mosquitoes with full-coverage clothing and mosquito repellent.
Currency and exchange rate: The
currency is called Malagasy Ariary (MGA). Bring EUR or USD in cash and exchange on the spot. Only change what you think is needed, because it is not possible to change back then. Credit cards are rarely accepted. There are ATMs in the larger cities, but you can withdraw a maximum of about EUR150 at a time.
Weather and clothing:
In addition to its tropical climate, Madagascar has several different microclimates depending on altitude and regional ecosystems. In general it can be said that along the east coast it is tropically hot and humid, on the west coast and further south it is dry and hot. Inland, on the other hand, the climate is drier and cooler and there are two clear seasons, from November to April it is a rainy season and between May and October it is a dry and cool period, when night frosts can occur at higher altitudes.
Security:
Madagascar has been led since a 2009 coup by a so-called “Transitional Authority” (HAT). Visitors are advised to exercise caution, avoid demonstrations and crowds – especially in central Antananarivo – and follow developments closely, among other things. via local media. The traffic is different and the risk of having an accident is significantly greater than in Sweden.
Transport and communications:
Traveling around Madagascar is not always easy as large parts of the country’s road network are in terrible condition, which makes transportation time consuming and often laborious. Agree on the price before taking a taxi. Colorful so-called pousse-pousse (bicycle rickshaw) is often used as local transport. Agree on the price before you travel with them. There are telephone booths in all major cities. If you are going to call from the hotel, check what it costs before you call. In the capital there are plenty of internet cafes.
Food & beverage:
Madagascar’s cuisine has influences from Indonesia, Africa, India and the Arab countries. Most things are very cheap. The main ingredients are Zebu and rice. Madagascar mostly drinks rice water with meals.
Shopping and gifts:
Vanilla, honey and other spices as well as baskets, clothes and shawls are popular items to buy at home. Bargaining is a tradition in Madagascar. Negotiations are best done with a smile. You may not buy products of endangered plant or animal species. Nor ancient objects or other objects that are considered national cultural heritage.
General and mixed:
Local time: 2 hours before Swedish time (1 hour before Swedish time during our summer time)
Electricity: 110 and 220 volts. The electrical outlets can be of different models.
Baggage: It sometimes happens that the checked baggage gets lost. Therefore, pack important medicines with a certificate from your doctor in your hand luggage. The same goes for valuables.
Language: Malagasy with 18 dialects. French as a second language and since 2007 English is an official language.
Tips: Most people in the service profession expect tips. In restaurants, you can add about 10% if it is not already included in the bill.
