Madagascar - basics - Countries Guide

Time: Local time is GMT +3.

Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are generally two-pin.

Language: Malagasy is the official language, but French is used in business and government and is widely spoken in the main cities. A few people involved in the tourism industry might be able to speak some English, but it is not widely spoken.

Health: Malaria is a risk throughout the year and is highest on the coast. Cases of dengue fever and chikungunya fever were reported in February 2006 and are transmitted by mosquitoes; precautionary measures against being bitten should be taken at all times. In April 2008, an outbreak of Rift Valley fever was reported in five regions; contact with domestic animals and mosquitoes should be avoided. All travellers coming from a country with yellow fever require inoculation against the disease. Other risks include bilharzia, tuberculosis and rabies. Tap water should not be drunk unless it has been boiled or chemically treated. Medical facilities are limited, and outside of the capital medical care may be difficult to find. Limited French medications are available in Tana and it is advisable to bring along a medical kit for private use. Comprehensive medical insurance is advised.

Tipping: Tipping is not usual, although in European-style restaurants and hotels tips of 10-15% are expected.

Safety: Generally visits to Madagascar are trouble-free, but precautions against opportunistic crime, especially in the urban areas, should be taken. Pickpockets operate at the airport and in crowded areas such as markets. At night, avoid walking around city centres and road travel outside urban areas as there have been occasional hold-ups on the main routes. The height of the cyclone season is from January to March and affects the coastal regions.

Customs: Do not photograph military or police establishments. Identification should be carried at all times.

Communications: The international dialling code for Madagascar is +261. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). To make an international call to Madagascar, the dialling code of 261 must be followed by a two-digit operator code (e.g. 20 for TELMA, the most reliable), then the regional code (e.g. 22 for Antananarivo) and then the five-digit number. A GSM 900 network is in use, covering major cities and main roads. Public Internet access exists in large cities; there are a few Internet cafes in Antananarivo.

Duty Free: Visitors older than 21 years may bring 500 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 500g tobacco, as well as one bottle of alcohol into the country without incurring import duty. Visitors are allowed to export a maximum of 100g vanilla without cost.

Climate: Generally the climate of Madagascar is subtropical, with a hot and rainy season between November and April, and a cooler dry season from May to October. . However there is a big variation in climate depending on altitude and geographical position. The west coast is drier than the east coast and the central highlands, while the far south and south west is a semi-desert region that experiences very little rainfall. The east coast receives the most rain and is hot and humid during the wet season, and also prone to cyclones between February and March. Temperatures are much cooler in the highlands. Antananarivo has a pleasant, temperate climate. Along the coast temperatures range from 81°F to 90°F (27°C to 32°C) in the wet season and 64°F to 72°F (18°C to 22°C) in the dry season. May to October is the most pleasant time to travel to Madagascar, with cooler temperatures and little rain.
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