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Due to its
isolation many stories are not written, many aspects of the country are
uncompleted. This fourth biggest island of the world is the
"Galapagos of the African Continent" and the farest gateway
to Asia. A mixture of 18 ethnic groups
thus 18 cultures, a variety of landscape, a nature with still many
secrets to unveil are the highlights that few countries pretend to
have. Madagascar
began its slow separation from Africa
during the age of dinosaurs. At that time, only very distant primate
ancestors existed on earth. Over the millennia, the lineage that
includes apes, monkeys and humans evolved on the African mainland,
while lemur-like ancestors evolved in Madagascar. These lemurs
lived in a gentle world, with no competition from monkeys and with none
of the predators of Africa.
We agree, no
wildlife safari as in Africa, but the
contrasts, the cultures, the many endemic (80%) animals and plants that
you will see, are part of the mysteries of this unique destination. A
waiting call rings out through the forest. The Indri lemur is singing.
The song has given rise to numerous legends about its origin ...
HIGHLIGHTS
INCLUDE
Andasibe Special Reserve: a huge rainy
forest . Fauna includes “Indri Indri”, the largest lemurs,
9 endemic species of lemurs, 28 species of reptiles and 109 species of
birds. Flora: hundred species of orchids.
Highland: Antsirabe,
Fianarantsoa characterized by its green landscape with rice fields on
terrace, rickshaws
Ranomafana National park: a huge rainforest.
Fauna includes “the golden bamboo lemurs”,29 species of
mammals, 12 species of lemurs, 5 species of viverridsring tailed
mongoose, reptiles and about 98 species of birds.
Ambalavao: vineyards and wine
production, “Anteimoro paper”, cattle market
Andringitra National park: a rocky chain
mountain, with alpine vegetation with high altitude forest. Breath taking landscape, more than 10
species of mammals, 6 species of lemurs, 15 species of reptiles.
Isalo National Park: Eroded sandstone
mountain, containing many canyons, natural swimming pool. Fauna
includes 3 species of lemurs, 55 species of birds,geckos, chameleons.
Flora includes succulent plants like pachypodium, tapia, aloes, pandanus…
Ilakaka: village
of sapphires, “Madagascar
texas”, then the spectacular Mahafaly tombs.
Ifaty: beach
protected by coral reef, whales from June to September, baobabs and
spiny forest.
THE
ITINERARY
DAY 1: Tuesday: TANA:
Flight connection to Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. Arrival in Tana, meet and greet then transfer to
IC HOTEL. Overnight at ICHOTEL ON BED AND BREAKFAST.
Included :1 overnight in *** hotel near the airport with swimming
pool, breakfast. The hotel overlooks the village of Ivato
with a nice view of the rice fields. It has also a nice garden. All
rooms have a small veranda, private bathroom, TV, telephone, internet,
mini-bar, hairdryer.
DAY 2: Wednesday:
TANA – ANDASIBE: 135 km = 3 to 4 HOURS
After breakfast, briefing for the whole tours with ICTours
representative Around 09.30, we’ll have a city tours: Tana called
also City of thousands is the capital of Madagascar. Build in 3 stages: the high city, the
first area occupied during the royal period where the old queen's
palace is situated: we will see the “Rova”, the queen's
palace, the House of the first minister during this day which is now a
museum; all build during the colonization. Then we drive down to the
mid-city or the administration
area ending at the Rainiharo
tombs, where all the chic
boutiques of the capital are found. We then drive till the low city
which is the commercial area of the town with its magnificent “
avenue de l’independence” and its imposing colonial
building which is “ the old railways station”. In the afternoon, we start drive to Andasibe on the RN
2, through the green landscape of the east . This step brings us
to the humid part of the country with many primary forest and lakes.
Arrival at the end of the afternoon. Overnight at FEON’NY
ALA HOTEL OR
SIMILAR ON BED AND BREAKFAST
Included
:2 overnights in ** small hotel,
breakfast. The hotel is overlooking
the rainforest of Perinet with a small lake where you can find
many birds. It has also a nice garden. The standard rooms have a small veranda.
 
DAY 3: Thursday: ANDASIBE NATIONAL PARK
At 07.30, departure to the national Park of Andasibe. Morning visit of the
Special Reserve of Andasibe, to
see the Indri Indri the biggest lemurs of the island. This 810 ha
reserve is very unique one with endemic fauna and flora. It contains a
wide variety of orchids, canopy, endemic animals like chameleons,
tenrecs, and many birds. After the visit we walk into the orchidea park
to admire all the nice flowers. In the afternoon, visit of Andasibe
village, a typical Betsimisaraka (The-Many-inseparable) village, the
second largest tribe of the island; they cultivate rice and
plantations. This small visit helps us to have a close contact with
local people, to see how they live, what they eat, then we visit the
private park of Vakona “ l’îlot lémuriens” where we
can find 3 species of lemurs: “ Sifaka, brown lemurs and variecia
variegata”. Back at the hotel, overnight at HOTEL FEON’NY ALA OR SIMILAR ON BED AND BREAKFAST.
Included: Entrance fees in National Park Andasibe, local guide
 
DAY 4: Friday:
ANDASIBE- TANA – ANTSIRABE: 275 km = 6 to 7 HOURS
After breakfast, we drive back
to Tana, through the green landscape and luxuriant vegetation of the East.
Along the way we'll see Merina village on the hill, Rocky
Mountains. On the way stop
in Mandraka to visit the private reserve of “Domaine
Pyereras” where we can see all the different kinds of chameleons,
snakes, lemurs, butterflies. Then we drive southward across the
highland landscape with its beautiful rice-fields on stage and its
spectacular eroded hills called "lavaka". This party reminds us the Far East with its rice fields on stage, its green
landscape. Arrival in Antsirabe in the afternoon. Antsirabe or "
the place of salt " lays 169 km south of Antananarivo, an elegant city ,best
known as the centre of beer. Antsirabe means " the city of much
salt". Founded by Norvegian in 1856, it is the only place which
really feels and looks like an European city. Doted with cool climate
and thermal spring, it is one of the most attractive place in Madagascar
for its clement climate. Antsirabe is also known for gems and
semi-precious stones. We make a city tours where we visit a lapidary of semi-precious gem, a
workshop making pousse pousse
and cars in miniature.Then we drive to the “ Andraikiba lake”
. Back to Antsirabe., night in RESIDENCE D’ANTSIRABE OR SIMILAR ON BED AND
BREAKFAST.
Included: **accommodation, guided tours of ANTSIRABE,
breakfast
 
DAY 5: Saturday:
ANTSIRABE – RANOMAFANA : 240 km = 5 to 6 HOURS
After breakfast, we head
on to Ambositra the centre of Madagascar ' s wood carving
industry. We are still in the highland with the green landscape which
is dominated by rice fields on stages forest of pine and eucalyptus.
One thing which marks the highland its architecture. Almost all
houses are made with ornately
carved wooden balconies and shutters with nice colours. Before entering
Ambositra, we pass the "le col de tapia" a type of tree which
resists to the Bush fire of the area. Arrival in Ambositra, a city
known for its wood carving and its numerous small handicraft workshops and shop. We’ll visit
few workshops where we can admire the people working.
And then, continuation to Ranomafana
through the "le col de
tapia" a type of tree which resists to the bush fire of the area.
The landscape is still dominated by rice fields on stage, forest of
pine and ecalyptus, rocky mountains. Arrival in Ambohimahasoa where we
can visit a tropical forest with
lemurs. From there we drive 40km eastwards to Ranomafana that we’ll reach
within 1hour. The landscape is now changing into a greener one, with a
tropical forest on the both sides, sometimes interrupted by small
villages selling bananas or charcoals. The national Park of Ranomafana
was created in 1991. It has 40,000 ha of superficies and consists of a
series of steep hills from which numerous small streams run into the
river Namorona, which tumbles down the
valley in a series of waterfalls and rapids. Arriving in
Ranomafana late in the afternoon. Night at IHARY HOTEL
OR SIMILAR ON BED
AND BREAKFAST.
Included: guided tours in Ambositra,
** hotel in RANOMAFANA with, breakfast.
DAY 6: Sunday: RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK
Expedition in the forest with special
guide to see 12 species lemurs, Ranomafana is the most important site
of lemurs in Madagascar,
it is the only confirmed site for the two rarest species the greater
bamboo lemur Hapalemur simus and the golden bamboo lemur Hapalemur
aureus. Different species like Fulvus Rufus, Varieca Variegata,
Hapalemur griseus, Avahi lanigeur, Lepilemur mustelinus, Propithecus
diadema edwardsi, Cheirogaleus major and Daubentounia madagscariensis
are also seen there. More than 100 birds, five species of viverrids, reptiles,
lizards, butterflies and other insects have been recorded in this park
. The area is covered with forest, in the higher areas ,the trees are
festooned with mosses and lichens, much of this secondary forest is
dominated by the introduced tree Psidium cattleyarum, also giant bamboo
Cephalostacyum viguieri, particularly various orchids such as
Bblophyllum and Eulophiella, steep mountains, dramatic waterfalls and
natural hit springs make this endangered and exotic forest charming and
unusual . Apart from its huge tropical forest, the name Ranomafana
means " hot water " so it is a thermal city where visitors
can relax in the hot spring water. Night at IHARY HOTEL
OR SIMILAR ON BED
AND BREAKFAST.
Included: Entree fee National Park
RANOMAFANA, local guide, 2 overnights in ** accommodation, breakfast.
 
DAY 7: Monday:
RANOMAFANA - AMBALAVAO – ANDRINGITRA:
160 km = 4 to 5 HOURS
After breakfast, we continue to
Fianarantsoa. This is the centre of the catholic religion so almost the
best school are found there. Called “the gate of the South”
Fianarantsoa is the capital of Betsileo tribes. A very catholic city,
this is the seat of Jesuits and the best university is found there .
Besides, Fianarantsoa means " Place of good learning", as the
Betsileo were taught by the Merina governors during 19th Century to
behave in a good and civilian way. In Fianarantsoa, we’ll have a
short city tours: build in the
same way as Antananarivo, this
city has 3 different stages: the low city where lays the railway
station and all the commercial business, the middle city which is for
administrative and the upper town or the old city where we can find the
cathedrale and where we have a nice view of the city. Afterwards we
head southwards to Ambalavao to visit a wine industry for wine tasting
as Ambalavao is the centre of wine industry. The climate is not said to
be the ideal for grape plantation but it is a tradition left by priests
and monks who lived in the area
of Fianarantsoa. After still in Ambalavao, we visit the "Anteimoro
Paper factory" a vestige of the Arabian civilisation in the
island. Then we take the beaten track that brings us to Andringitra.
The landscape there is decorated by blocks of granite and high rocky
mountains. We’ll also see some old Betsileo tombs hooked up in
the middle of rocks. Apart from that, from one view point we’ll
admire the frame of rice fields on terrace which reminds us of the
scenery of the eastern part of Asia. Night in GITE D’ ANDRINGITRA OR SIMILAR WITH DINER AND BREAKFAST
Included: city tours of Fianarantsoa, visit Papier Anteimoro
factory. 2 overnights in dormitory or tents (according to availability)
accommodation with breakfast diner.
 
DAY 8 :
Tuesday: ANDRINGITRA NATIONAL
PARK
A full walking day in the National Park of Andringitra. This park, situated
in the mountain chain of Andringitra, covers 31.160 ha. Altitude between 700 and 2658 meters , with
unique granite and gneiss formation, Andringitra has 3 types of vegetations:
lower altitudes are dominated by
eastern lowland rainforest where leguminous tree like “ Dalbergia”
are in common. Then the mid altitudes ( 800 - 1500 m) are covered with medium
altitude rainforest where
lichens and mountain woodland are
dominating. The highest altitude is dominated by high mountain prairies
and alpine like vegetation.
Being the 2nd
highest peak of the country, with its Pic Boby ( 2400 m), the highest
altitudes have recorded the lowest temperatures known in Madagascar
( -8°C) and snowfalls may occur in July and August.
The most attraction to
Andringitra is especially the landscape, the tranquillity of the
area and the walk inside the
National park, through its granite
mountain. It has a particularly rich wildlife
which had to adapt itself to the climate like the lemurs catta, the
sifaka. The insects and reptiles are also quite abundant. Many walks can be done depending
on your fitness and preferences.
On one of the longer walks, we can reach the top of the rocky mountains
and see the spacious grassland
below where the Bara ( nomad tribe) herd their zebus. In the distance
you can also see “the hat of Napoleon” on the grassland. On
the way back, you can admire the
purity of the two queen’s and king’s springs . Arrival in
the gite at the end of the afternoon. In the evening, since there is no
restaurant, food preparation is a joint effort between trekkers and
local women. Night in GITE D’
ANDRINGITRA OR SIMILAR
WITH LUNCH - DINER - BREAKFAST
Included: Entrance fee National Park ANDRINGITRA, local
guide, 2 overnights in dormitory
or tents (according to availability) accommodation with breakfast
Lunch, diner.
DAY 9:
Wednesday: ANDRINGITRA -
AMBALAVAO - ISALO: 245 km = 4 to
6 HOURS
After breakfast, we drive back to Ambalavao. Wednesday is
the biggest zebu market in Ambalavao so we’ll have the
opportunity to visit this huge and very animated market which is the
meeting point of all people from all over the country Then we head on to Ihosy the capital of Bara
tribes which are shepherds of Zebu.
We pass through the mountain chain of Andringitra, which serves
as a transition between green highland and the dry south. The landscape
is becoming more and more grandiose. Huge Granite blocks are marking
the spacious and empty plains. We feel like being swallowed by this
emptiness, by this peace. From a
long distance, we can already spot a huge imposing rocky hill called “Bishop's hat”. This is a sacred place for the local people, no one ever venture to walk down
there though it is nice area for trekking as it is a burial site and
was a place where the local people’s
ancestors preferred a collective
suicide rather than to surrender to the Merina's domination. Then we
will see the "3 hillocks" which area also among the imposing
rocky hill. Another spectacular
is the huge granite dome with twin rock towers called:" the gate
of the south " which marks the end of the highlands and the
beginning of the south. We arrive in Ihosy, the land of Bara who are more dark –skinned with African
features if compared to Merina.
They are cattle-raisers and many activities during their life
are associated with Zebu. For instance, to get a wife, a man has to
steal a few zebus to show his strength and virility. When they die,
they have to kill many zebus as well.
We pass through the huge " plateaux de Horombe with its very spacious red soil which reminds u of " the no
man's land". This is a huge and
empty grassy plain. From
one place to another we can see some droves of zebus, accompanied by a
Bara man with his rifle. Arrival
in Isalo in the end of the afternoon. Night
in MOTEL
DE L”ISALO OR SIMILAR on BED AND BREAKFAST.
Included: visit Zebu market, 2 overnights in ** hotel with
swimming pool with breakfast.
 
DAY 10: Thursday: ISALO NATIONAL PARK:
Visit of ISALO National Park.
The parks covers an area of 81,540 ha comprising the entire stretch of
the Isalo massif. This huge mountain is very spectacular with its
eroded sandstone mountain Today we start our hiking to the
"Natural swimming pool", where we stay for the camping. We
drive from Ranohira village for about 10 minutes before we park our
car, then we walk about 1 hour and half along vegetation like Uapaca bojeri, Pachypodium rosulatum
or elephant' s foot, a native species of aloe and an endemic species in
Isalo the Aloe isaloensis to reach the Natural Swimming Pool. Then we
walk through the eroded mountains which are also the place where Bara
put their dead before they can bring them into their real tombs, we
start our climbing and reach the massif (after 20 minutes walk ), we'll
have a very spectacular view of this huge sandstone mountains with its
nice colours, its strange and eroded forms giving many different images
like "the tortoise", "the masks" and "the
crocodiles" and so on......We'll see small stream of water, small
rivers which are marked by lines of brilliant green, generally made up
of numerous Pandanus pulcher and the delicate, slim-stemmed, feathery
leaved palm Chrysalidocarpus isaloensis. Along the way, for lemur' s
lovers there may be sifakas , brown lemurs and ringtails, also fifty
five species of birds lizards, snakes. We finally reach the swimming
pool, a nice and crystal water which is a great rewarding after a long
and very hot hour of walk. Back to the hotel. In the afternoon, we
visit the “ fenêtre de l’Isalo” for the sunset. Back
and overnight in MOTEL DE L”ISALO OR SIMILAR on BED AND
BREAKFAST.
Included: Entree fee National Park Isalo with local guide, overnight
in hotel with swimming pool with breakfast.
 
DAY 11: Friday: ISALO – TULEAR - IFATY: 240 km = 3
to 4 HOURS
After breakfast, continuation to
Tuléar, the terminal of the National road N° 7. This step brings us to
a very new scenery, among the dry forest of the west, the spiny desert
of the south. On the way, we can also admire the different tombs like
the "Mahafaly tombs" and few "Antandroy tombs".
Short visit of Tuléar, then drive to Ifaty which lies about 27 km from
Tuléar. Due to the bad condition of the road, it will take us about two
hours and half to reach Ifaty. This step brings us to the driest part of the country. Situated in the
deep south, the landscape will be dominated by the spiny forest like
the cactus, different euphorbiacea and didieracea. We will cross the dry and sandy soil where local
people suffer for the lack of drinking water. Many mangrove trees are
lining along the coast alternated by Vezo villages which earn their
living on fishing. We will see
many small pirogues, men go on fishing twice a day . children and women
are waiting on the coast to fetch the fishermen and bring the fish to
Tuléar for sale. Night at IKOTEL OR SIMILAR ** on
BED and BREAKFAST.
Included: Visit of Ilakaka, City tours of Tuléar, 2
overnights in **hotel on the beach with breakfast.
 
DAY 12 : Saturday: IFATY
Day at leisure. Ifaty lays in
the beach, it is an ideal place for diving and snorkelling. Many
excursions can be arranged on the spot. Here you can also experience
the Vezo Fishermen' s life, and a popular place for birdwatchers. Many
excursions are possible like
visit the Reserve RENIALA, a communal reserve where we will see
2 kinds of baobabs, spiny bush, reptiles like boa madagascariensis,
gecko, chameleon parsoni ( the largest one) or take a boat to see the
whales. From July to mid September, whales are coming to the cool sea of Madagascar to give birth. It is
a very spectacular experience as sometimes we will see the whales very
close to our boat. Situated in the largest lagoon of the country, Ifaty
is also protected by a large coral reef which makes it an ideal place
for diving and snorkelling. In the afternoon we can walk to the village
of Mangily where we can visit a local school and where we can also
experience the Vezo Fishermen’s life, especially when the
fishermen come back from fishing.
Night in IKOTEL OR
SIMILAR on BED AND BREAKFAST.
Included: overnight in **hotel on the beach with breakfast.
DAY 13: Sunday: IFATY - TULEAR – TANA: MD 740: 14.40
– 15.45
Transfer to the
airport. Then fly back to Tana. Transfer and overnight in I.C.HOTEL
OR SIMILAR on BED AND BREAKFAST basis.
Included: transfer to the airport
of Tulear – transfer
from the airport to hotel in Antananarivo,
overnight in *** hotel with swimming pool near the airport with breakfast.
END OF SERVICE
PRICE per PERSON FOR LAND ARRANGEMENT:
939 EUR/person GUARANTEED
FROM 2 PERSONS
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: 189 EUR
DOMESTIC FLIGHT TULEAR –
TANA WITH AIRPORT TAXES: 140 EUR / PERS
LOCAL PAYMENT: 111 EUR/ PERSON (prices updated
May 2008)
Local
payment covers the 2 diners and
1 lunch in ANDRINGITRA as well as the entrance fees and special guides
in Andasibe, Ranomafana National Park, Andringitra
National Park, Isalo National Park. Local Payment must
be paid in EURO to your Tour Leader in cash on Day 1
of the tour. It is an integral part of your tour cost..
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE of LAND ARRANGEMENT
·
Accommodation in double room based on
bed and breakfast during the trip
according to the program above
·
Transports by private car / bus with
fuel and driver
·
For 2 to 5 pax, English speaking driver / guide
·
From 6 pax onwards, driver and English
speaking tour guide from Tana to Ifaty
·
All Transfers by car airport / hotel /
airport for the whole trip
NOT
INCLUDED
·
All Optional and free excursions
·
Domestic flight with taxes
·
Lunch and diner , visa
·
All personal expenses, insurance for
luggage, tips, drinks, laundry
DEPARTURE DATES
1.
Tuesday May 20th till Sunday
June 1st 2008
2.
Tuesday June 24th till
Sunday July 6th 2008
3.
Tuesday July 8Th till Sunday
July 20th 2008
4.
Tuesday November 11th till
Sunday November 29th 2008
5.
Tuesday December 2nd till Sunday
December 14th 2008
6.
Tuesday January 13th till Sunday
January 24th 2009 ( 5% of DISCOUNT for the whole trip except
LOCAL PAYMENT)
7.
Tuesday January 27th till Sunday
February 08th 2009 ( 5% of DISCOUNT for the whole trip
except LOCAL PAYMENT)
8.
Tuesday February 10th till Sunday
February 22nd 2009 ( 5% of DISCOUNT for the whole trip
except LOCAL PAYMENT)
9.
Tuesday February 24th till Sunday March
08th 2009 ( 5% of DISCOUNT for the whole trip except LOCAL
PAYMENT)
THE TOUR
This **
accommodation tour is guaranteed departure with a minimum of 2
participants. If you want to travel on individual basis, allotments and
price on request.
-
From 2 till 5 participants:
The tour will be
carried out with a private car (from 3 persons onwards a Mercedes Vito)
and a French- or English speaking driver. A detailed road book in
English will mention the distances and hours day-by-day, where to stop
to take pictures or do some walking, the things to see on the way. In
sum, all the necessary information and explanation that a tour guide
tells during a tour. The purpose of the road book is not to copy a
travel guide, but to give you info about your program that you will not
find in a guidebook.
Our experienced
Malagasy driver makes sure that the itinerary runs smoothly. At the end
of the day he will explain the following day itinerary with a roadmap.
He also organizes the entrance fees and the local guides in the
National Parks. On your request French, English or German speaking.
-
The group consists of 6 till a maximum of 15 participants:
The tour will be
carried out with a comfortable Mercedes Sprinter (18 seats bus), a
French speaking driver and an English/French speaking guide. Our guides
have years of experience with international groups and an extensive
knowledge of the country. Their
knowledge and experience of the country widely exceed what you can find
in guidebooks.
THE ITINERARY
Is written on a ‘mora
mora’ basis (malagasy for ‘relax, no hurry’)
To enjoy the full day
we will depart early (07.30h) and arrive at our destination between
16.00h.-17.00h. This means that we can provide enough walking- and
photo stops. Our aim is that you can enjoy the landscapes and villages
along the way.
Your driver and/or
guide will see to it that the tours runs smoothly. Their main task is to
fulfill your expectations of this unique destination.
Our driver/guides
are no biologists. For this we use the official local guides in the
National Parks.
When the group size
is more than 7 participants then we make use of an extra local guide in
the National Parks. This way we divide the group, so that we can carry
out the walks in small groups. These walks are focused on the fauna and flora and on
the search of lemurs.
ACCOMMODATION
We overnight in ***/
** hotels/bungalows. We have selected these hotels based on the comfort
of the rooms, the friendly service, the restaurant. We have chosen
accommodation with small capacity and beautiful setting, because these
elements influence the charm of your stay. No mastodons’ hotels.
MEALS
Only breakfast is
included in the itinerary. One of the charms of Madagascar is to eat ‘à
la carte’. Besides there is no obligation to eat every time in
the ** accommodation where you are staying. Your guide (or ‘road
book’) knows the specialties and the places where you van have a
touch of a real local (and hygienic safe) restaurant, where
they serve excellent food. In some places you might compare it with ‘la
haute cuisine Française’.
Mostly we make use
of a light picnic lunch at noon. In the evening you can let yourself
go...
LOCAL BUDGET
The average budget of
our participants in 2007 was 300 euro/person. This amount includes
meals, drinks (even wine during dinner) and tips in restaurants,
luggage carrier, etc. This budget is taken widely.
This amount excludes
souvenirs.
PARTICIPANTS
No age limit. People
with a normal physical condition can do this tour easily.
Please
keep in mind that flexibility and an open mind will greatly contribute
to an enjoyable tour. We are
traveling in an undeveloped country. Tourism in Madagascar is still in its
childhood. Regard this as a positive point. The people you will meet
are kind and their curiosity is expressed by a smile.
Although
I.C.T. is going to every measure run your tour as smoothly as possible,
things do not always run according to plan. However we are convinced
that Madagascar
will give you in a good sense an experience of a lifetime.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Local
currency: Ariary which has replaced the Malagasy franc (the former
currency 1 Ariary is 5 Malagasy Francs). 1 EURO is about 2400 Ariary.
Malagasy Ariary can be changed back in foreign currency at any banks
and money changers.
Credit
card: Visa Card is the most generally accepted credit card.
Others, such as Master Card, Diner’s and American Express, are IMPOSSIBLE.
Euro Cash are more usefull in tourism. ATM machine are available in big
cities. ( only with VISA)
Opening
hours: Local bank and all offices open from 08.00 to 15.30.
Closed on week-end and public holidays
Payment:
Cash: Ariary, €, US$ -
Traveller’s cheque: €, US$ - Credit card: VISA only
Time
zone: GMT + 3 hours.
Official
languages: Malagasy and French.
Visa :
is mandatory and the passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months,
visas can be obtained at the airport upon arrival in Madagascar. Visa fees: 57
Euro. No photo needed, only return ticket and valid passport
Health: no
vaccination is compulsory, however, an anti-malarial Treatment is
recommended.
Country
code: + 261
Electricity:
220 V. Some places have no electric network. Take battery powered
appliances and take care not to leave them in nature once they are worn
out.
Recommendations to
travelers
- travel with light
luggage, if possible; backpacks are very handy especially when taking
public transport: light trousers, long sleeved shirts or T-shirts,
pairs of tennis or sandals;
- Hikers must have
good walking shoes;
- Mosquito repellent
sprays and/or creams; Sun block cream and swimsuits;
- For bivouac
lovers: swiss knives, first aid kit, flasks, water purifying tablets,
sleeping bags (camping), torches,
- Cameras and/or
video cameras to immortalize the highlights of your trip.
Seasons and weather
There are 5 climatic
zones, which follow the varied physical geography of the island: there
are the mild Highlands, the hot and
dry western regions, the rainy and the eastern coastal regions under
the influence of trade winds, the hot and wet North, and the semi-arid South. Rainfalls decreases
progressively from the North-East (over 300 m) to the South-West (less
than 400 m) with several variants between these two extremes. The dry
season or the southern winter is from April to October, and summer is
from November to March. If, at sea level, temperatures range from 27°C
and 32°C in summer and 22°C in winter, on the Highlands, they may go
down to 4°C or even less in winter nights.
SPECIFIC PURCHASES
ARE
PROHIBITED:
Endangered animal
and plant species listed in annex I of CITES (Convention on
International Trade of Fauna and Flora Species).
Are particularly
included in this category (Convention on International Trade of Fauna
and Flora Species).
- lemurs – dugong - radiated tortoise - spur tortoise - sea tortoise – boa - Antongil red frog etc…
- Orchids - Euphorb,
didieraceous, apocynaceous species (pachypodium)
- Authentic objects
classified as national heritage (aloalo, Zafimaniry) - shutters,
ancient object and documents…).
ARE CONSIDERED AS PROTECTED:
- vertebrate, fish
and plant fossils
- dinosaur bones
- aepyornis eggs
THE TRAVELLER IS FREE TO TAKE OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY
- 250 g: hallmarked
jewels (subject to justifying entry with foreign currencies, the
traveller may be allowed to take as much as 1 kg)
- 2 kg of vanilla
exempted from tax and duties.
PURCHASES IN DUTY FREE SHOPS
Now, it is well
known, Antananarivo-Ivato duty free shops, with their renovated
attractive lay out, are among the best-stocked and the cheapest in this
zone.
Etiquette, taboos
(fady) and prohibitions
The Malagasy
population is known for being pacifist and tolerant. They are strongly
attached to their customs and practices, namely in villages and rural
communities. Therefore, be attentive to be respectful of traditions,
and in particular of elderly people, or of those who are considered as
people of high rank in society, and respect local “fady”,
taboos and prohibitions scrupulously. It is advised to get information
about them in advance and respect
them scrupulously.
For example, there are communities who do not like their children’s
heads to be caressed. Before taking photographs of a person or a group
of people, please ask for their permission first. Lastly, nudism is not
allowed on beaches. In town, a lamba or a pareo covering one’s
monokini or bikini will be sufficient not to shock Malagasy sense of
decency.
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