According to transporthint, Madagascar (English/French: Madagascar) is a country and island in Africa that is part of the four largest islands in the world. Madagascar has been independent from France since 1960. The capital of Madagascar is Antananarivo. A number of major cities in Madagascar are: Toliara, Toamasina, Mahajanga and Morondava. Off the coast of Madagascar are a few small islands that are part of the country.
Madagascar is known for its rich flora and fauna. The island consists largely of untouched nature (rainforests). Unfortunately, much of it has been lost over the years to earthquakes, floods and forest fires. The country has 4 National Parks that are home to thousands of plant and animal species. The coastline consists of white sandy beaches and clear blue waters, ideal for practicing water sports. The country is also becoming increasingly popular as a diving destination. You can dive well at the islands of Nosy Be and Île Sainte-Marie.
Where is Madagascar located?
Travel information of Madagascar
Official name: Republic of Madagascar
Continent: Africa
Area: 587,041 km²
Capital: Antananarivo
Country code: MG, MDG
Population: 26,955,737 inhabitants (2020)
Form of government: Republic
Highest point: 2,876 m (Maromokotro)
Distance (Amsterdam – Antananarivo): 8,904 km
Flight time: approximately 10 hours and 30 minutes
Travel advice
Current status: Attention, safety risks.
Current color code: Yellow.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), there may be (temporary) measures in Madagascar that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs of Madagascar, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
On our travel offer page you will find an overview of reliable travel organizations that offer complete trips and holidays to Madagascar. In addition, you will find an overview of separate travel components (car rental, hotels and airline tickets) with which you can compose your ideal trip yourself.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, hiking map, cycling map, book or DVD about Madagascar?
Weather and climate
Madagascar has a tropical climate. In the winter months the temperatures are around 20 to 25 degrees and in the summer months around 25 to 30 degrees. Summer and winter time are opposite to those in the Netherlands.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for Madagascar can be found on our extensive weather page.
Detailed information about the climate of Madagascar can be found at Climate info.
Best time
May, June, July, August and September are the best months to travel to Madagascar. This avoids the wet summer period with the risk of cyclones.
Language
French and Malagasy (Plateamalagasi) are the official languages in Madagascar.
Would you like to translate from or into French for free? Use the Google translator for this.
Travel documents
You must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months upon arrival in Madagascar.
A visa is required. This visa is valid for 30 days and will cost you 35 euros (cash) upon arrival in Madagascar.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in Tanzania (also for Madagascar):
netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Dutch consulate in Madagascar:
netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Embassy of Madagascar in Belgium (also for the Netherlands): rijksoverheid.nl.
Consulate of Madagascar in the Netherlands: rijksoverheid.nl.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation) Vaccination against yellow fever is mandatory for Madagascar to have you vaccinated against cholera and against yellow fever (if you have visited a yellow fever
country in the seven days before you visit Madagascar). In addition, there are one or more vaccinations that are recommended. For extensive vaccination advice and to make a vaccination appointment at home, please visit Thuisvaccinatie.nl. You can also see here whether your health insurance reimburses the vaccination(s).
Malaria
Malaria occurs in Madagascar. Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by malaria mosquitoes. This infectious disease can lead to death if not treated in time and/or incorrectly.
For prevention and control of malaria, please visit our malaria page.
Money and Currency
In Madagascar, people pay with the Malagasy Ariary (MGA).
The current position of this currency (currency, currency) can be found on our exchange rate page.
An overview of all ATMs in Madagascar can be found on our ATMs page.
Price level
Prices in Madagascar are much lower than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is -50% on average. Some examples are: restaurants (79% cheaper), food (41% cheaper), imported beer in catering (47% cheaper), cigarettes (79% cheaper) and public transport (95% cheaper). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Tipping
In Madagascar it is customary to give a tip of approximately 5%.
Time difference
During our summer time it is 1 hour later in Madagascar.
During our winter time it is 2 hours later in Madagascar.
Madagascar has no difference between winter time and summer time.
The local time, date and time zone for Madagascar can be found on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
In Madagascar you have to drive on the right.
You do not need an international driver’s license to drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in Madagascar.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within Madagascar.
Electricity In Madagascar you may need a travel plug
in some cases. More information about common plugs and sockets in Madagascar can be found on our electricity page.
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 117
– Fire: 117
– Ambulance: 117
Tap water
It is not recommended to drink water from the tap.
If you are unable to buy bottled water, use a water purifier to purify the water or boil the water for 5 minutes. After this you can safely use it as drinking water and for things like brushing teeth, cleaning lenses and washing vegetables and / or fruit. More information about drinking water and/or the purchase of water purification products can be found on our drinking water page.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to Madagascar can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from Madagascar can be found on Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from Madagascar end in.mg.
Madagascar’s official website: madagascar-tourisme.com.
Telephony
The country code (international access code) to call someone in Madagascar is 00261 or +261.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from Madagascar? Then use the Dutch country code 0031 or +31.
(If using a country code, omit the leading 0 of the number to be called.)
Phone numbers can be found in the Madagascar Telephone Directory.
Company details can be found in the Yellow Pages of Madagascar.
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos from Madagascar.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from Madagascar.
Holidays
An overview of all holidays in Madagascar can be found on Beleven.org.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotels and holiday homes), restaurants and destinations in Madagascar, supplemented with photos, videos and places of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about Madagascar?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited Madagascar. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) in Madagascar can be found on Protected Planet.
An overview of the world heritage sites in Madagascar can be found on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to Madagascar? On the IATA website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol and money, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. You will also find the laws and regulations regarding the entry of pets on this website.
Entrepreneurship and doing business
If you intend to do business in or do business with Madagascar, it is wise to prepare well. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency can help you with this. On PaulSourcing.com you will find a large amount of information about Madagascar, including: opportunities, import and export regulations, trade figures, do’s and don’ts, business partners and subsidies.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to Madagascar.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking from the age of 21.
– Alcohol and traffic: The maximum permitted alcohol content is 0.8.
– Tobacco: Unknown
– Smoking ban: In public places.
– Homosexuality: Allowed
Did you know that…
…Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world?
…Madagascar was attached to Africa about 110 million years ago?
…Madagascar only has one through road?
…Most of the wildlife in Madagascar is found nowhere else?
…90% of nature in Madagascar has been destroyed by humanity?
…Rugby is the most popular sport in Madagascar?
