Travel Tips

BUDGET AND PAYMENT

Discover a destination where your budget stretches as far as the horizon. In Madagascar’s welcoming mid-range hotels, a gourmet main course is yours for just €8, perfectly paired with a €3 glass of house wine or a large, chilled local beer for €2. The island is also a treasure trove for collectors; high-quality arts and crafts are remarkably affordable, especially if you enjoy a friendly session of bargaining.

While tipping is a personal choice rather than a rule, a small gesture of appreciation goes a long way. For the dedicated guides and drivers who make your journey unforgettable, €4 per day is a thoughtful benchmark. In restaurants, a 10% tip is considered generous, even where service is included. We simply suggest tipping mindfully: in a land of modest wages, a fair reward for truly exceptional service is the best way to travel responsibly. Most of hotel accept card and currency but it’s better to bring always minimum local currency cash.

PACKING:

A backpack is more practical than a hard suitcase. Backpackers should consider buying a rucksack with zipped compartments to enclose the straps when using them for flights. A cheaper option is to roll the straps up and securely fasten them with insulating tape. A backpack with untidy straps is otherwise regarded as bulky luggage and may cause problems. Also bring a light, foldable nylon bag for taking purchases home, and the largest permissible bag to take as hand baggage on the plane. Pack this with everything you need for the first four days or so (security restrictions permitting).Lost or delayed luggage is then less of a catastrophe.

ADJUST PACK AND TIME TO VISIT

Before deciding what clothes to pack, take a look at our climate section. There is quite a difference between summer and winter temperatures, particularly in the highlands and south where it is distinctly cold at night between May and September. A fleece jacket or a bodywarmer (down vest) is useful in addition to a light sweater. In June and July a scarf (muffler) can give much needed extra warmth. At any time of the year it will be hot during the day in low-lying areas and it gets very hot between October and March. Layers of clothing, T-shirt – sweatshirt, light sweater – are warm and versatile and take less room than a heavy sweater. Don’t bring jeans; they are too heavy and too hot. Lightweight cotton or cotton mix trousers such as cargo trousers are much more suitable .Preferably with zipped pockets for security. At any time of year you need a light water proof jacket, and during the wet season, or if spending time in the rainforest, appropriate raingear and perhaps a small umbrella. A light cotton jacket is always useful for breezy evenings by the coast. Don’t forget a sunhat. For footwear, trainers (running shoes) and sandals are usually all you need “Sport sandals” which strap securely to the feet are better than flip-flops. Hiking boots may be required in places like Ankarana, Andringitra, Tsingy of Bemaraha and Isalo but are not necessary for the main tourist circuits. For the beachwear if you enjoy snorkeling, you may need an old pair of sneakers (or similar) to protect your feet from corals and sea urchins and a T-shirt and shorts to wear while in the water to prevent sunburn.

PACKING ESSENTIALS

Passport and copy (plus the telephone number of your embassy)
Medical and dental kit, dental floss
Water bottle and water purifying tablets or other disinfecting agent.
Small torch (flashlight) with spare batteries and bulb, or head torch
Penknife
Insects repellent
Sunscreen
Hat
Lip salve
Adapter for two pin plugs
clock or alarm wristwatch.
Sewing kit, scissors, tweezers, safety pins, insulating tape or Sellotape, string.
Felt tip pen, ballpoint pen
A small note book & a large notebook for diary and letters home, envelopes, plastic
bags
Universal plug for baths and sinks.
Elastic clothes line or cord and pegs
Concentrated detergent.
Ear plugs
sun glasses
Compact binoculars
Camera and film
Miniature playing cards or USB song

[/dropshadowbox]

DANGERS & ANNOYANCES

Travelling throughout Madagascar is not inherently dangerous. Petty theft is the main risk – do not keep your valuables in a pack or external money belt, and watch your pockets when in crowded areas. To avoid getting into trouble with the police, carry your passport with you at all times (a photocopy will not be sufficient but can be left in the hotel/car in case the passport is stolen). It is not advisable to wear long dangling jewellery as it is easy to be ripped off. Some areas along the coast are subject to danger from sharks and strong currents. Make sure to seek local advice before heading into the water. Mosquitoes are ubiquitous and malaria occurs here – wear insect repellent, especially at dawn and dusk. A combination of overcrowded, unroadworthy vehicles and reckless drivers makes travelling by taxi-brousse (bush taxi/minibus) potentially hazardous. To minimise the risks, try to avoid night travel if possible. Always ask people before shooting photo.

DUTY FREE

The following goods can be imported into Madagascar without incurring customs duty by persons 21 years of age and over:
• 500 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 500g of tobacco.
• One bottle of alcoholic beverage. Note: All perfume is subject to duty. All vegetables must be declared and import permit received before travel. Animals need a detailed veterinary certificate. Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies. Arms and ammunition require an exit permit. Tourists should be aware that many items on sale may have been manufactured illegally and may not be taken out of the country, with or without a permit!

Restricted items: The import and export of all foodstuffs (including fruit), live plants(including vanilla), mounted insects, tortoiseshell, fragment of Aepyornis( elephant bird) , eggshell, precious stones(in export quantities only), jewellery; antique coins; fossils; funeral art and antiquities. Only 100g of vanilla may be taken out of Madagascar. Nonresidents can export 1kg of precious and semi precious stones, as long as proper receipts can be provided; residents are permitted to take out 250g.For more detailed information, check the Malagasy customs web site:www.madagascar-contact.com/douaneHandicrafts include “lamba” (traditional squares of cloth in various designs and woven materials); “zafimaniny marquetry”, intricate wood inlays applied to furniture, chessboards and boxes; silverwork such as “mahafaly” crosses and “vangovango” bracelets; jewellery made from shells and precious stones; items woven from reeds, raffia and straw; “antemoro paper” decorated with dried flowers; and embroidery. All products incorporating Malagasy flora or fauna (including dried flowers) often require export permits.