Suggested Length of Stay
If you want a good overview of Madagascar, to experience the cultural and natural wonders of the country a good length of stay is between 7-10 days.
Recommended length of stays in the more popular destinations are Antananarivo 2 nights, Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park 2-3 nights, Morondava 2 nights and Ifaty 2 nights.
Modes of transport
Road
Less than 20% of roads in Madagascar are paved and of these many are in terrible condition filled with potholes. 4×4 transport is the best when going via road, as many roads become almost impassable during heavy rainstorms.
Air
Flying within Madagascar can be a huge time saver, considering the distances and state of the roads. Air Madagascar is the main airline to provide domestic flights though long delays and cancellations are very common. Leave yourself plenty of time and never book on the last flight, there is a good chance you might be staying the night, Like other airlines, Air Madagascar offers huge discounts on domestic flights if you fly into the country with that airline.
Health Precautions
Ensure your inoculations for typhoid, tetanus, polio and hepatitis A are up to date.
Anti-malarial prophylactics should be taken when in Madagascar, as it is prolific in all regions.
Avoid drinking or brushing your teeth with tap water. Bottled water is safe and widely available.
Itās a good idea to carry a few packs of antiseptic wet wipes to wash your hands after toilet stops or before meals in more remote areas where running water may not be available.
Food
Madagascar’s cuisine truly reflects the African, Arab and Indonesian peoples that have settled in the country. There are also certain French influences found in the crops that early French colonisers brought including vanilla, coffee, cloves and sugar cane. A traditional meal in Madagascar usually contains one main dish of meat, poultry or fish with a side dish of vegetables, accompanied by a bowl of ro (a mix of herbs, leaves and rice). Malagasy cuisine is known for being quite flavourful despite being prepared in a simple manner without much spice.
Money
The local currency is the Madagascar Ariary (MGA). Traveller’s cheques are accepted by some stores, hotels and banks in the capital and in major cities. Euros are accepted in some hotels and restaurants. Credit cards are accepted but their use is not widespread. Contact your bank to ensure that your card will work in Madagascar.
Time Zone
Madagascar operates on GMT +3, 3 hours ahead of GMT and 7.5 hours behind AEST.
Visas
You’ll need a visa to enter Madagascar. You can get a tourist visa on arrival if you have proof of onward travel (return Flight to Australia or another country)
Australian Embassy & Consulate contacts in Madagascar
Australian Consulate, Antananarivo
Building D1, Explorer Business Park,
Ankorondrano, Antananarivo, Madagascar.
Telephone: (261) 33 55 004 74 or (261) 32 05 596 01
E-mail: hon.consul@aust-consulate-madagascar.com
Australian High Commission, Port Louis
2nd Floor, Rogers House
5 President John Kennedy Street
Port Louis, Mauritius
Telephone: (230) 202 0160
Facsimile: (230) 208 8878
E-mail: ahc.portlouis@dfat.gov.au
Website: mauritius.highcommission.gov.au
Madagascar Embassy contacts in Australia
Consulate-General of the Republic of Madagascar
Consulate-General
Level 4, 47 York Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
Phone: 02 9299 2290
Electricity
Electricity in Madagascar is 220V, with a frequency of 50hz. For Madagascar, there is two associated plug types, types C and E. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type E is the plug which has two round pins and a hole for the socketās male earthing pin.
Getting there (stopovers)
Currently, there are no direct flights between Australian cities and Antananarivo. However, the best way would be either via Mauritius or South Africa. You can also go via Singapore and other Asian cities, but this increases the flight time considerably.
Tipping Guideline
Most locals in Madagascar donāt tip and if they do they tip quite small amounts. However, tipping is more expected from tourists. If the bell boy was to handle your baggage then you should give him them about 2000Ar per bag. You should tip housekeepers in Hotels 2000Ar per day. Tour guides. You should tip the guide the equivalent of about 15,000-20,000 Ar and about 5,000-10,000Ar per day for a driver. Tipping in restaurants in Madagascar is quite simple, if a service charge is added to the restaurant bill, tipping is not necessary. If not then, about 10% is reasonable. Usually a local would pay much lesser, but a higher tip is expected from foreigners. This is because most service workers depends on majority of their wages on tips. Similar to restaurants, you should aim to tip 10% for bars catered to tourists.
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