Madagascar
Located off the southeast coast of the African continent, Madagascar may be the fourth largest island globally, but by far, it is one of the most fascinating. Can other countries claim that 90% of its wildlife evolved only there and nowhere else on planet Earth?
From exciting lemur trekking safaris to snorkeling adventures in the Nosy Be Archipelago, hiking in Isalo National Park to beach picnics to Nosy Tanikely, Madagascar provides a wide variety of natural settings or all types of travel interests.
- Unwind on the remote beach of Nosy Tanikely, or take a leisurely swim in Isalo National Park’s natural swimming pool.
- Photograph a family of ring-tailed lemurs, or travel through the Avenue of Baobabs in Morondava.
- Embark on a horseback ride through Isalo National Park’s fascinating rock formations or snorkel off Nosy’s shores to witness stunning reef fish & sea turtles.
OVERVIEW
Climate: Madagascar has two seasons: a hot, rainy season from November to April; and a cooler, dry season from May to October.
Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are accepted at major hotels. We recommend visiting a Currency Exchange Bureau upon arrival at the Antananarivo airport to exchange US dollars for Malagasy Franc. There are also ATMs in the city center for use.
Currency: Malagasy Franc – travelers must use local currency.
Geography: Located off the southeast coast of Africa, Madagascar if the 4th largest island in the world and is comprised of various terrains. In the central region is a mountainous plateau, while the northern area offers a tropical climate. The southern area is mountainous and arid.
Languages: The primary language spoken throughout Madagascar is French with few speaking English.
Medical: The Yellow Fever certificate is required in Madagascar if you have traveled to/through a known Yellow Fever area/country.
Packing: Lightweight natural-colored clothing is preferable, i.e. khaki, brown, and beige, if visiting safari camps a jacket/fleece for evenings or cool days. Some of the city hotels require more formal dress for evenings. The lodges and camps are very informal and casual clothes are suitable.
Visas: US Citizens require entry visas to visit Madagascar, which can be obtained upon at the point of entry. US citizen visa fees are USD37 per person, valid for 30 days. Passports must have at least 2 blank pages per country visited AND must be valid for 6 months after departure from the last country visited.
