Madagascar Pre-travel information

This information is intended as a guideline only. It is accurate to the best of our knowledge. Please note that we are providing links to external websites as guidelines only, Karell Travel is not responsible for the content thereof.

Visa Information
Citizens of all countries (excluding Burundi) will be granted a visa upon arrival without prior application. However, we recommend obtaining your Madagascar visa before arrival, as this will facilitate the immigration process at both the airport and border crossing. If you plan to purchase visas on arrival, we recommend that you have the correct cash amounts available as this will speed up the process.
 
Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the travel date and must have at least two clean and full consecutive visa pages for endorsement.
 
Visa Fees
U.S. citizens may obtain visas upon arrival:
  • 1 month : 20€ / $22.00
  • 2 Months : 25€ / $27.00
  • 3 Months : 35€  / $38.00
  • Payable cash upon arrival (we recommend exact change) at the airport in Euro or US dollars. Change is given in Ariary.
  • All incoming passengers must present their return ticket
Note: The above-quoted fees are subject to change.
Entry & Pre-Departure Requirements

BEFORE ARRIVAL

  • Passport, valid for six months from your date of entry and with two blank pages
  • Visa, obtain before traveling, or purchase at port of entry if staying less than three months. Visas may be purchased with U.S. dollars, euros, or Malagasy ariary, but credit cards are not accepted.
  • Evidence of onward/return travel
  • Proof of sufficient funds
  • World Health Organization (WHO) card with yellow fever vaccination if traveler has been in a yellow fever endemic area within six months of arrival
  • Screening for Ebola infection may be conducted at the airports
    Medical Suggestions
    • Passengers arriving from Yellow Fever endemic countries and any country with active Yellow Fever transmission outbreaks are required to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate.
    • Precautions against malaria recommended; speak with your personal physician or a travel health clinic regarding a prescription for anti-malarial medication.
    Electricity & Plugs
    All electrical appliances in Madagascar run on  220V  (in the U.S. we run on 110v). Although adapters are generally available at hotels, we highly recommend taking your own adapter. Most modern electronics (smartphones, tablets, laptops etc) have dual voltage capability and can be safely used with a plug adapter. Any devices that do not support dual voltage should only be used with a voltage converter adapter.
    For Madagascar you need Type C / E Adapters
    Packing Suggestions
    As a general guideline, comfortable, casual wash-and-wear clothes are recommended. If you are going on safari, the less you take the better as most lodges and hotels do offer laundry service if you are staying at least two days. Muted colors such as stone, khaki, beige or brown are recommended when you are on safari. Darker colors and colors that are very bright tend to attract unwanted insects such as mosquitoes and other bug types. Game drives in the early morning and evenings can be quite cold, especially in winter, so you should pack accordingly. The key is to dress in layers in the early morning and strip down layer by layer as it gets warmer as the sun rises. Vice versa for evening game drives.
    You should bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes for use during bush walks or when off the game drive vehicle.

    Meal times are generally informal so it is not necessary to dress in formal attire.

    You should bring a video or normal camera, a good pair of binoculars, enough memory cards and the relevant plug and charger for the equipment. Cellular phones are also suitable during game drives for the purpose of taking photos.

    General Clothing
    • Light-weight shirts/blouses with long sleeves as protection from the sun and mosquitoes
    • T-shirts
    • Shorts
    • Jeans or safari trousers
    • Pajamas
    • Socks
    • Underwear
    • Light-weight waterproof jacket
    • Comfortable walking shoes/sneakers
    • Comfortable walking sandals or flip flops for warmer days
    • Wide-brimmed hat with under-chin tie to prevent it from flying away
    • Aquashoes
    • UV beach shirt
    • Swimsuits

      General Equipment & Accessories

      • Sunglasses
      • Spare prescription eye glasses/contact lenses
      • Binoculars
      • Sunscreen
      • Cameras and related paraphernalia, like lenses, etc and plenty of memory cards and spare batteries
      • Small powerful flashlight and extra batteries

      • Light pack-able backpack or tote to carry equipment and stuff on game vehicles
      • Chargers for cell phones, iPad, cameras, computers and you may want to invest in a mini travel charger
      • First aid kit (Band-aids, pain relievers, eye drops, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, tissues, chapstick, any prescription medications etc)
      Gratuities

      Tipping is completely discretionary. If you have received good service, and would like to show your appreciation by tipping, we have enclosed a brief guideline to assist you.

      Tour Guides: $25 US per person per day

      Tour Driver: $15 US per person per day

      General Lodge  Staff: $25 US per person per day

      Restaurants / Hotels 10-15% is customary on meal accounts if you are satisfied with the service

       

      Weather/Climate

      Madagascar has a wide range of climates and habitats. The central highlands are hot and dry. Andasibe-Mantadia (comprising Analamazaotra National Park and Mantadia National Park) and Ranomafana National Park, some of the country’s most popular parks, have a similar climate. The eastern part of Madagascar, which includes Masoala National Park, Palmarium Reserve and Nosy Mangabe Special Reserve, is wetter. Parks in this region include Ankarafantsika and Bemaraha National Park, Ankarana Special Reserve and Kirindy Forest. The driest and
      hottest of all is the southwest of the island, which includes Berenty Private Reserve, Ifotaka Forest, Tsimanampetsotsa National Park and Cap Sainte Marie Special Reserve. Madagascar’s most popular beach destination, Nosy Be, has a hot, tropical climate year-round with regular downpours from December to March. The average annual temperatures vary between 73°F and 80°F along the coast and between 60°F and 68°F in the central mountains.

      Local Customs

      Photography

      The Malagasy people do not approve of visitors taking photos without permission. As breathtakingly beautiful and fascinating as the surroundings may seem, you should be sure to ask for permission prior to snapping their photos.

      Fady

      Madagascar is regulated by numerous taboos, known as “Fady”. In case you travel to a new region, try to get information about local Fady before you go. Some Fady relates to forbidden food (pork, lemur and turtle), some prohibit wearing certain colored clothing and forbid bathing in rivers. In the city center it’s not really enforced, so be aware when travelling from one region to another on the island.