QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
MADAGASCAR TRAVEL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION
When planning a Tour to Madagascar, there are many questions that spring to mind.
The list of Questions & Answers below are some of the more common ones, have a glance through and if you can’t find an answer drop us a line and we will gladly answer the questions you may have about planning your tour to Madagascar .
We look forward to welcoming you here soon!
Please click on each question to see the answer. We look forward to welcoming you here soon !
The official language of Madagascar is Malagasy with small group of French and English speakers are in tourist area.
The currency used throughout the country is the Ariary , USD and Euro are accepted in most hotels.
A visa is required to enter the territory of Madagascar: you can get a visa at the Consulate of Madagascar in your country, or easier, upon arrival at the international airports of Madagascar. Please check if your passport is still valid. You can easily obtain a visa at arrival at the international airports in Madagascar (Antananarivo, Nosy Be, Majunga, Diego Suarez, Tamatave) with a valid passport (must be valid 6 months beyond the traveling date) and a valid return flight ticket. Please note that to get a visa at the airport, you do not need to bring photographs. The fees are as follows
Travel in Madagascar for less than 15 days , you will pay $ 12 per person
Travel in Madagascar between 16 days to 30 days , you will pay $ 37 per person
Travel in Madagascar between 31 days to 60 days , you will pay $ 45 per person
You can get visa on arrival or online at the https://evisamada-mg.com/en/home but please note that online payment is only possible with Visa and Master Credit cards, and it may take up to 72 hours until you’ll get the voucher for the Visa
Please note that there are at least one fake E-visa website online, https://www.e-visa-madagascar.com and if you apply and pay there, you’ll have to pay again when you arrive, and will loose the money you’ve paid online, so please be aware of that Website!
Madagascar is an easy-to-navigate country, with much to do that everyone will enjoy making it the perfect destination for your next family vacation. Tanala Adventures Madagascar has some great family-friendly itineraries which are based on educational elements such as history, land formation and unique wildlife.
In general ,Madagascar is pretty safe country and friendly to tourist but we recommend not to stay out of your hotel most of the night and not to be alone in quite area .
We recommend you keep personal possessions in a safe place and exercise a sensible amount of caution
There are only two seasons in Madagascar: dry season and wet season. The wet season lasts in most areas for about 5 months (from December to April). In the eastern part of Madagascar, it rains quite often all year long, whereas it rarely rains in western Madagascar. On the central parts of Madagascar, winter nights are so cold that the temperature , may go down to +5°C. It may even go down to around freezing point in Antsirabe. Please bring warm clothes if you travel to Madagascar between May and September. From November till March, it is hot in southern and western Madagascar. The temperature in the coastal regions is generally higher than that in inland Antananarivo.
Most airports and hotels have currency exchange facilities. In the town centres you are best to change your money at a bank as they do not charge commission and usually offer the best rates.
Your tour guide will be on hand to help you find the best places to exchange your money.
We recommend buying enough Malagasy Ariary to cover your expenses for the first few days.
They are always open at each international flight arrival and their rates are similar to the rates of the banks in town. Please note that only EUR, USD & GBP can be exchanged.
Cup of Coffee – $1
Breakfast – $ 8
Lunch – $8 to $16
Dinner – $8 to $16
Bottle of local wine : $12
Bottle of local beer : $2
Bottle of coca cola : $1
Send a postcard overseas – $2
(All above prices are approximate and can vary from those listed above depens on the region and season).
No, water is a problem anywhere in Madagascar so it is not safe to drink.
Bottle of water are everywhere in most place you will visit during your trip .
When buying bottled water, make sure the bottles are sealed when handed to you.
The best time to visit the country is from April to mid-December, avoiding the wet season
Madagascar is a cash running country , so then we recommend to have cash in local currency .
Majority of hotels accept VISA , MASTERCARD credit cards and ATM are available only in town.
We also recommend advising your bank of your travel plans prior to departing from your country so you do not encounter potential problems when trying to withdraw cash.
We always suggest you have some cash on hand (about 1 Millions Ariary ,equivalent of USD 250 maximum should be enough per person) in case a particular place does not accept a card payment or “the lines are down”, after all when visiting Madagascar you are likely going into a remote area where this is well, possible. If you are a fan of American Express or Diner’s Cards, we’re afraid you’re out of luck as Madagascar is not.
Tips is not a common around the island but it is now an accepted practice in many areas.
For your tour ,everything depends on your satisfaction but here below are our tip idea , it is discretionary :
Tour Guide : Ariary 25,000 ( $ 5 ) per day
Driver: Ariary 15,000 ( $ 3 ) per day
Local guide on each park : Ariary 15,000 ( $ 3 ) per visit
Luggage porter : Ariary 2,000 ( $ 0,4) per service not per luggage per porter
Restaurant tipping , we recommend : Ariary 5,000 ( $1,1 ) per table
It’s always best to be up to date with all routine vaccinations when travelling to any country but Madagascar does not require any specific vaccinations on entry. In any event, it is recommended to consult your local doctor and/or the closest Malagasy authority to where you are for any updates. If you will be travelling via or through a yellow fever risk country then you will be required to carry the necessary vaccination certificates in this case.
On a the local flight, you are entitled to 2 pieces of luggage. One luggage of 20kg as check in and One luggage of 5kg in the cabin with a “Leisure” ticket . With a “Privilege” fare you are entitled to One bag of 10 kg in the cabin and one bag of 30kg as check in You can also carry one accessory of 2 kg maximum (handbag, backpack, bag, etc.).
In case you have more and want to leave luggage in the capital, we always have a solution in our office for that. Contact us if that is the case!
Contact our team for more information
Generally you will find 220 volts everywhere. Two-way plugs are used. But, please bring travel adapter in case there are not conventional plugs in some areas. Also, if you plan to bring more than one electronic stuff (camera, smartphone, etc.), please bring added batteries and multi-plugs electrical outlet.
Madagascar is a paradise for those who love to photograph. The locals likes to be photographed and will appreciate it greatly if they receive a photo later. Always be polite and ask first if you can take a picture. There are a few taboos. Airports, airplanes and military bases may not be photographed and some grave tombs are also not done. Please note that it is not allowed to pay people to get photographed.
First class or deluxe hotels of international standing are practically non-existent on Madagascar and certainly are not widely available during a trip. The travelers who have chosen the best category hotels can count on stylish, good hotels with clean and functional rooms with private facilities. Although, some travelers may choose some simple hotels, we can ensure that the latter’s rooms are clean and functional enough with private facilities as well.
All international flights to Madagascar arrive in Antananarivo. Ivato International Airport is easy to navigate, with international arrivals and departures on the right and domestic on the left.
There are no direct flights to Madagascar from the UK , USA , Middle East or Oceania region .
It is possible to take an Air France flight from major cities in Europe via Paris CDG , Air Canada via Montreal or Toronto , American Airlines or Delta Airlines for USA via most of international airport via Denver , New York or Atlanta or Boston, British Airways via London Heathrow , Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa ; Air Mauritius flies via Mauritius, and Kenya Airways via Nairobi. Airlink via Johannesburg , Turkish Airlines via Istanbul , Neos via Milan.
Contact our team for more information
When booking a tailor-made itinerary with us, a professional guide and driver will take you around.
Madagascar Airlines by Tsaradia offers an extensive network of flights so it is possible to reach the most remote parts of the island in comfort. Please note that the local airlines flight schedules are changed on a fairly regular basis, so our team will do the very best possible to work around sudden or unforeseen changes to your itinerary.
Four-wheel drive vehicles are essential, long drive sometimes due the poor, rutted roads which is unavoidable if you want to experience the best of the island’s contrasts.
Depending on where you stay, you might also have the option to travel by boat either through waterways within the rainforest or crossing over to smaller islands off the main island’s coast. At the end of your holiday, you will return to Ivato International Airport in Antananarivo to depart on your international flight.
The sooner the better. Not only to ensure we will be able to book everything you’ve asked for and we’ve recommended but so that you can start getting excited about your planned and confirmed travels. The best bet is to plan up to a year in advance. This sounds like a long time ahead of your holiday, but we know that time flies and the most popular destinations and hotels, especially those in desirable locations quickly get booked up. This doesn’t mean it won’t be possible on shorter notice, but the chances are much higher that we won’t be able to secure your chosen accommodations and itinerary especially during the peak season (usually from June through to October but even as early as May and into November can be challenging). Unlike in other countries where there are multiple accommodation options at each destination, in Madagascar (part of what makes it so remote, is that you will only have sometimes three or four lodges to choose from in a particular area
and with each lodge only having 15 to 25 bungalows or rooms, you can see how this can be limiting if not booked long in advance. So again, the sooner the better, but either way we’ll do our best to make your dream holiday a reality.
Yes, most lodges /hotel offer a laundry service either included or at a minimal additional cost. When planning to do laundry, it is best when staying at a lodge for 2 nights or more to allow for adequate time to get your laundry done and back to you. It’s best to check with reception on check in at each lodge should you wish to make use of the laundry service. Our advice, make a note of the items you give in for laundry to ensure you have them all back prior to your departure.
Yes definitely. In fact, it’s safe to say, more so now than ever, that this is an absolute must. Your personal insurance would be there to cover the tour/safari in case, for any reason, you cannot take part. For possible flight changes and delays, lost or stolen luggage or equipment as well as any necessary medical fees while on holiday. Obviously we would not want any of this to happen and we are on hand in-country to assist with anything, however it is important to make sure you are covered for unplanned events. The old adage “It’s better to be safe than sorry” rings true for this one. If you don’t need it, no problem, if you need it, at least you have it.
Excitement. A good sense of humour and an expectation to be exceeded. Your camera, a good pair of binoculars, a flashlight (torch), sunscreen, mosquito repellent and a comfortable pair of shoes (unless you are planning to do lots of hiking, keep them a comfortable sneaker type). Don’t forget your phone charger and bring along a USB or other with your music. It’s best to pack in shorts and short sleeved shirts for the warmer days and long sleeves and long pants for early mornings and evenings, a warm jacket and windbreaker for game drives. The key is to layer your clothing as the temperatures can vary during the day and while out and about on activities. Don’t forget a hat and most importantly your travel documents and passport or you won’t need any of the other stuff as you won’t be going anywhere in a hurry. We’ve got loads of advice, so if you still aren’t sure, contact your consultant for more information
Tanala Adventures Madagascar is a reputable company that has been in business for over 7 years of existence . We pride ourselves in being one of the most professional tour operators and ground handlers in Madagascar , but you don’t have to take our word for it alone, check out our reviews of clients that have actually travelled with us.
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Our cuisine with between South East Asian to European culinary styles and is heavily rice based.
Seafood,meat and more meat. Want vegetables? Sure. Here’s some chicken. Ask any Malagasy and they’ll tell you that their diet is mostly meat and seafood , which makes perfect sense when the meat and seafood in the country is local and some of the best you’ll find around the world. If you’re a meat or seafood lover you’re in for a treat and if you aren’t, not to worry there are always vegetarian options too. Although many lodges are remote, there’s no shortage of fresh produce and with many lodges also eco-friendly, it’s likely from the garden. The menu is usually a la carte or buffet style. Either way there are always multiple options to choose from, so many in fact that you’ll be going back for seconds or even a third helping. (After all eating is as much an activity on vacation as is that safari drive, nature walk ). If you have specific dietary requirements being a vegetarian, vegan, whether halal or kosher or even gluten intolerant, no problem just let your consultant know and we’ll notify the lodges in advance to prepare food especially for you.
Do we need to mention that you will be on holiday? Time to relax, unwind and take a break from technology? While this is the ideal, we know some people need to stay connected for business and in touch with family, so… Most of the hotel and lodges have internet connection or WiFi in the main areas, but not necessarily in the rooms. However not all the lodges have internet connection, so if this is a priority for you, please be sure to mention this to your consultant so that this can be checked and included as a prerequisite when choosing hotel/lodges for your itinerary.
You can get your own internet , we offer a personal domino 4G for up to 4 devices for $ 25 for less than 15 days and $ 40 days for between 16 day to 30 days .
The most important thing to remember is to compare apples with apples in order to make sure that what you have been quoted by another company is the same as our quote. This means looking at the finer details, such as room type or standard, the meal basis at each accommodation, the inclusions of the vehicle rental and if any extras have been included. We’ll happily give you a detailed breakdown if you’d like to look at our quote in more detail or send us the other quote you’ve received so that we can cost compare for you. We’re happy to further tailor our quotes as you wish, you need only let us know.
No,Madagascar is not malaria free however, no need to panic ! The good news is that the dry and cold season is also the best time to visit the island and during these months malaria is not really a concern.
The typical peak season in terms of tourist traffic in Madagascar is from July to October, but Madagascar is getting popular destination for travel year round and these days it’s even known to be as busy from as early as April through to December, with the quieter months being January through to March. In terms of rates, the high season prices kick in from July through to December with most lodges sticking to low season rates from January through to June and some also including November. If you want to dodge the masses and still make the most of a good time to travel in terms of wildlife and weather whilst still scoring on low season rates, our tip is to travel in May or June or November to December .
It is one of the world’s 10 poorest countries and many westerners are taken aback by the poverty. While vast wilderness areas remain, it is also one of the world’s most environmentally degraded countries and the continued destruction of its forests by fire in particular, is a shock to those who witness it. As is the case elsewhere in the tropics, the 2020-2021 pandemic left the country poorer and due to lack of maintenance, many of the roads are in need of repair.