The diversity of Madagascar is like an encyclopedic compilation, so that you can discover it yourself. Madagascar is characterized by deep valleys, powerful rivers and sedimentary savannas with prehistoric reliefs, large plains and cliffs which plunge into the sea. It is a wild country with virgin regions of large open spaces, empty of all trace of a dwelling or human contact.
The Red Island has a coastline of over 1,600 km, peaking at an altitude of 2,856 meters at the north roof. What is called the Highlands or the High Plateau is in fact a dorsal spine of the island which runs from north to south without interruption. The highest peak in the north is only a few kilometers from the end of the country and exceeds 2000 m. The same situation at Fort Dauphin (extreme south) with the Anosy chain which easily crosses 2000 m. The Hauts Plateaux represent a relief which is completely accidental by road; deep valleys, significant deforestation and red soil that will mark your trip and dominate the landscape. Despite this terrible deforestation that is eating away at the country, you can still find superb forests.
Some regions of the country are almost completely unvisited. This does not mean that the areas are inaccessible, only that you need good preparation and advice to get through these areas and we invite you to explore them with us.
PREPARE FOR DEPARTURE
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Passport
- Check that your passport is valid 6 months after the planned return date
Visas
- The visa for a stay of less than 30 days costs 80,000MGA (local currency) or the equivalent of 27 €.
- It can be purchased on arrival at the airport or taken directly from the Embassy of Madagascar in Paris.
- Request by mail:
- You must allow at least 15 days before the departure date for all requests sent by mail. Outside of this deadline, you are requested to come and testify directly at the Embassy. Do not forget to attach a chronopost envelope for the return of your passport by filling in the recipient section.
Contact
- Email : visasmadagascar@yahoo.fr
- Tel : 09 83 32 45 15/ 09 83 32 27 55
- Address
- Embassy of Madagascar, 04 avenue Raphaël 75016 PARIS
- Website
- Documents required :
- Application form for short stay visa non-transformable duly completed and signed personally by the applicant (to download from the Embassy website);
- Two recent 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm identity photos, neither photocopied nor scanned
- Photocopy of round-trip air ticket or reservation certificate with flight details issued by the travel agency;
- A valid original passport whose expiration is more than 6 months after the return date. It must contain at least two free pages when submitting files.
- Request by mail:
Health documents
- Your international vaccination card, to obtain from the vaccination institute or ask your doctor
- Prescriptions that justify the treatments you carry in your luggage and that can help you out if you lose or forget a treatment.
- Your health book especially for young passengers
Scans and prints
Remember to print or photocopy the necessary papers in sufficient quantity as well as to scan them (scanner) in case of loss. Provide photocopies of identity documents
CURRENCY AND PURCHASE
Change
The Malagasy Franc has been replaced by the ARIARY since 2004, that is to say 1 € equal to approximately 3200MGA. We advise you to avoid exchanges with persons not authorized at the airport but to do so only in banks. Always keep small cuts for your daily expenses but also for tips which are often appreciated: porterage service, restaurant services, guide service, etc. The amount in old Malagasy franc is displayed on each Ariary ticket and in order to avoid paying twice the price of a commodity, have the reflex to ask some traders if they still speak Malagasy Francs.
Credit card
The Visa and MasterCard cards are represented on a national scale. They are accepted by some hotels and shops already equipped with an electronic payment terminal. We recommend that you bring cash in addition to your Visa or Mastercard. Vending machines are present in major cities.
Tips
Tips are appreciated for each service rendered to your satisfaction (for porters, for guides, drivers, waiters, etc.).
Bargaining
Bargaining is a common practice still in force in the country: at the market, with taxis, rickshaws, and when you request a menu service. The principle is to find a fair arrangement for both parties.
HEALTH
No vaccination is required from travelers unless they have transited through an infected area. However, anti-malaria prophylaxis and a hepatitis gammaglobulin injection are recommended, as well as preventions against cholera and yellow fever. Regarding epidemics that occur from time to time around the world, the Malagasy health authorities have the same level of information and responsiveness as their colleagues abroad.
Do not forget to bring your usual medicines accompanied by the renewal order (in case of loss of the essential medicine). A first aid kit containing the medicines is essential in the event of: diarrhea, intestinal infection, vomiting (antispasmodic, gastric bandage, etc.), pain or fever with antipyretic and analgesic, allergy (antihistamine), repellant and soothing anti-mosquito products.
DEPARTURE FORMALITIES
Goods not subject to establishment of an export declaration for international departure. One (01) traveler has the right to bring the following goods:
- Ar 400,000 banknotes in local currency;
- 250 gr of hallmarked jewelry for residents;
- 1 kg of hallmarked jewelry for non-residents subject to presentation of a foreign exchange declaration corresponding to the value of the jewelry;
- 2 kg of prepared vanilla (pod, braided);
- 5 kg of dry seeds (beans, lentils, cap peas, etc.);
- 1 kg of onions;
- 1 kg of pepper;
- 1 kg of coffee;
- 5 kg of meat (frozen, refrigerated or dried) except the European Union;
- 10 kg of fish and seafood (frozen, chilled or dried) up to 2 kg per species, purchased from approved establishments
SPECIAL FORMALITIES
The following goods are subject to the production of certain specific documents:
- CITES permit (issued by the Ministry of the Environment and Water and Forests or its agents at airports) for endangered species of flora and fauna, products of nature);
- Phytosanitary certificate (issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries or its representatives at airports) for plants and animal products;
- Health certificate for animal products and live animals (issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries or its agents at airports);
- Exit authorization required for:
- "Precious woods and works" (issued by the Ministry of the Environment and Water and Forests or its agents at airports),
- "Precious metals and jewelry" (issued by the Ministry of Energy and Mines or its agents at airports),
- Authorization to purchase foreign currency (issued by approved financial institutions) for exports of foreign currency less than 7,500 Euros.
- Declaration to the customs service for exports of foreign currencies greater than 7,500 Euros
