Location

Isle of the Indian Ocean, Madagascar is 400 Km off the East of Africa, at the South of Equator. It is crossed by the Tropic of Capricorn at the south of Tulear city. Madagascar is the 4th biggest island in the world. The island is about 1 580 kilometers in length and 570 kms wide with a total area of 590 000 squares kilometers. It has over 5 000 kms of coast line.

Population

16 millions inhabitants divided into 18 tribes.

Religion

80% are practising: catholic, protestant, muslim and islamic, but the traditional belief takes up a very important place in the malagasy people life.

Capital city

Antananarivo, shortened by "Tana", located on the Highlands with 3 millions and a half inhabitants.

Main Cities

Antsirabe (Highlands) - Ambositra (Highlands)
Toamasina (Tamatave), the first town with harbour facilities on the East Coast - Sainte Marie
Diego Suarez (Antsiranana) in the extreme North - Ambanja - Nosy Be Mahajanga (Majunga) in the North West - Anjajavy
Fianarantsoa, a town-gate towards the South-Ranomafana
Tulear (Toliara) in the South-West - Ifaty - Anakao
Fort-Dauphin (Tolagnaro) in the South-East

Climate

Different from a region to another.
From January to March: rainy season
From April to December: the dry season
From May to October: the best season for discovering the island.
Temperatures: Antananarivo: 10° - 25° Celsius ; Provinces 26° - 30° Celsius

Visa

Citizens of all nationalities in transit or anxious to make a stay in the country have to be holder of a valid passport (06 months before expiring). The visa is issued beforhand by Malagasy Representatives abroad (Embassies or Consulates) for a stay not exceeding 30 days. However a visa is issued when arriving at the airport: Euro 25 or 31 $. Maximum stay extension of three months is possible on application at the Ministry of the Home Office.

Health Formalities

Treatment against flu and malaria are highly recommended.

Cars

major of car-renters propose renting with driver. Minibus - 4FD - etc… according to the itineraries

Hotels

Only the capital can offer a various accomodation choice from one to a five-star. The majority of hotels at the sea-side are bungalows made of local materials.

Restaurants

Dans la majorité des grandes villes, les restaurants proposent des plats malagasy, français, chinois et italiens.

Tour Guide

Speaking French, English, german, Italian and Japanese.

Parcs & Reserves

The most visited are: Andasibe special reserve, Isalo/Ranomafana Fianarantsoa and Montagne d'Ambre Diégo parcs. A part from the entrance fee, a local guide is needed, one who knows throughly the region.

Means of transportation

Air Madagascar Company, as well as a few private companies, connects up with big cities and touristic places. Reconfirmation is compulsory 72 hours before departure.

Currency

The Malagasy Currency is the Ariary (100 Ariary ; 200 ariary ; 1000 ariary ; 2 000 ariary ; 5 000 ariary ; 10 000 ariary)
Only important Hotels and a few agencies can accept credit cards. Banks representing cards: VISA at the BMOI - BFV, MASTER CARD at the BTM, AMERICAN EXPRESS at Madagascar Airtours.
1 EUR = 12500 MGF = 2500 ARIARY
1 ARIARY = 5 MGF

Taxes

Il existe des taxes appelées Vignette Touristique, d'environ € 2,00 par chambre et par nuit et qu'il faut régler directement aux hôtels.