+ 1 hour with France during the French summer: 9am to Paris, 10 to Antananarivo.
+ 2 hours with France during the French winter: 9am to Paris, 11am to Antananarivo.
Calling code: + 261
How to call Madagascar from Europe?
00 261 20 + area code + the 5 digits of your correspondent in the case of a wireless phone.
If you need to call a Malagasy mobile from Europe: 00 261 followed by the identifier and the phone number without the zero.
If you need to call a European mobile from Madagascar: 00 + country code + mobile's original caller's number without the zero.
How to call France from Madagascar?
* Direct: 00 33 + phone number (without the 0 at the beginning)
* Operator: 10 + ask the country code and phone number
The Malagasy franc (FMG) was the official currency until 2002. Since then, the new president reinstated the traditional Malagasy currency the "Ariary". The coded correspondence between the two currencies is as follows: 1 Ariary = 5 MGF.
Credit cards (mainly Visa) are accepted in Madagascar in very restricted areas. They are mainly accepted in international hotels, a few banks in the capital, the provinces and luxury shops.
It is however easy to withdraw money with a credit card in the major cities as most banks have ATMs.
Therefore, we still recommend bringing cash (preferably in EUR or USD) to be changed in the capital before the start of the circuit. The exchange of traveler's checks is possible but limited and complicated.
Most roads are unpaved. However, in recent years great efforts by the Malagasy government have been made to improve the national road infrastructure (over 8000 km of roads have been renovated between 2002 and 2006) primarily on the 4 principal axes (North-South and East-West). Depending on the route selected, there will be parts of the journey which will systematically require to be driven in a 4x4. In some places a distance of only 50 kms can seem relatively long. Similarly, you should be aware that roads are not paved highways and as such, travel times are expected to be longer than in Europe for the same distance in kilometers.
Madagascar has hotel facilities that follow international standards. Some luxury hotels and resorts are large compared to other destinations in the Indian Ocean. The "Vazaha hotels" (literally "foreigners") have been opened by Westerners who have fallen in love with the country, offering comfort, authenticity and personal welcome.
Typical Malagasy and Indian hotels are often simpler and cheaper. They compensate for their relative comfort in their architecture or often their exceptional situation. On some parts of the coast, there are rooms in bungalows built with natural materials, remarkably integrating into the environment.
In general, the environmental rules are now applied in new constructions that make increasing use of modern methods of energy supply (solar, wind) or the reprocessing of waste water.
The classification of hotels in Madagascar does not always correspond to international standards. Thus, a hotel listed as "three stars" local may be the equivalent of a European or French hotel "one star". Indeed, most of the hotels we offer have been carefully selected taking into account the following criteria: hygiene, safety, quality of service (reception, accommodation and food), environment...
Madagascar is the perfect place to find a wonderfully diverse cuisine that combines basic foods with delicious and unique flavors: rice is the foundation of all Malagasy meals worthy of the name! The diverse and varied accompaniments allow you to taste at will and thus vary the pleasures associated with fish, chicken, pork and why not zebu grilled, fried or with sauce, sweet and sour Asian flavors and noodle dishes delight fans of culinary delights! The most typical dish is undoubtedly the Romazava stew made with green leaves called Bredes Mafana with a surprising and spicy flavor. It is served with a long simmered meat zebu. Another classic: Ravitoto, prepared from cassava leaves similar to spinach, and pork ... A real treat!
Note that each region has its specialty: Fish is the specialty in the Southwest, prawns and crabs in Fort Dauphin Nosy Be, the North-East excel in specialties with coconut milk or vanilla, thus approaching the Creole and Polynesian cuisine. Madagascar is also a huge basket of fruit and vegetables! Sweet potatoes, apples, grapes, passion fruit, mango, bananas, pineapples, apricots, plums, peaches, asparagus and cassava... Not to be missed! Similarly, for those who dream of flavors from France, you should not hesitate to indulge in Madagascar foie gras made exclusively from ducks, which would put to shame the South West of France, and the wild boar stew accompanied by small local wines such as white Betsileo, worthy of the finest grapes from France!
Very cosmopolitan, Madagascar encompasses a multitude of restaurants offering diverse specialties for all tastes and desires (European cuisine, Asian, Indian...) and of course typical local dishes such as Ravitoto, Romazava. The zebu meat is cooked in all its forms as well as fish and seafood...
In addition to the various mineral waters (sparkling or flat) the island is famous for its beer produced in the region of Antsirabe and Diego Suarez, THB (Three Horses Beer) or Diego Suarez, as well as rum "Dzamandjary" the region of Nosy Be and Brickaville or Ambilobe.
The plugs are the same as in France, the current is 220 volts.
A flashlight can be helpful because various regions are often limited in terms of electricity, and even though some hotels have been equipped with generators, there may be a few short minutes of electrical failure.
The parks and reserves of the island are highly suited for walking and the Malagasy landscape to bivouacs.
It is always hot in Madagascar so it is advisable to wear loose-fitted clothing made of light cotton. Warmer clothing or the evening may be advisable.
If you're traveling during the austral winter (June-August), prepare to dress warm for the mornings and evenings.
Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, possibly a hat (unless you buy one on the spot), comfortable shoes, or a good pair of walking shoes if you plan to go hiking or trekking, raingear during the rainy season and a small backpack.
Remember to bring a small padlock to lock your luggage, your personal pharmacy, photocopies of airline tickets, passport, credit cards and receipts with the travelers check numbers.
We recommend you bring with you all the accessories necessary to use your equipment and especially to bring extra film or memory cards as well as batteries and chargers.
If you want to photograph people, you must always remember to ask the person concerned before taking the picture, especially adults. Some places in Madagascar are considered "fady" (which means "taboo - sacred"). It is important that you respect to these Malagasy belief. We recommend you check in advance for a possible shot of these places.
Madagascar is a poor country where many people live below the poverty line. Everything you can bring in your luggage as gifts will be greatly appreciated. If you prefer to make small gifts, you can also buy locally because this benefits the local economy and the people. Notebooks, pens or other school supplies often requested.
If you plan to provide on-site clothing, school supplies (pens, notebooks, pencils, erasers, etc...), we recommend that you give these to your guide who will provide the relevant intermediaries to redistribute these items to the children properly (to avoid the habit of begging with foreign visitors).
Madagascar offers rich and varied handicrafts:
- Woodcarving Zafimaniry to Ambositra, wooden objects of purple wood, ebony and rosewood
- Paper decorated with dried flowers Antaimoro: greeting cards, travel books, albums and picture frames ...
- Semi-precious stones Antsirabe (quartz, garnet, tourmaline, Amette...) or valuable stones (sapphire, ruby, emerald) in the region of Ilakaka.
- Wooden Musical Instruments (valiha, kind of harp local kabosy...)
- Miniatures in cans and tins (rickshaw, bush taxi, car 2CV, bikes ...)
- Objects in raffia (hats, bags and baskets, place mats, rugs and carpets ...)
- Lamba kind of kilt / sarong local colors and patterns of daily life Madagascar
- Decorative wrought iron (mirrors, lampshades, incense holders ...)
- Bracelets and other jewelry in silver
- Bottles filled with colorful sand Majunga
- Embroidery and crocheted tablecloths of Antsirabe, Antananarivo and Nosy Be
- Wicker and leather inlay and zebu horn
- Variety of spices: black pepper and green, clove, cinnamon, curry, saffron and vanilla (vanilla limited 2kg, 3kg of various spices, 2 liters of rum per visitor)
The key, for example:
An absolute export ban on Oepernys Eggs, large shells in general, wildlife, turtle shells.
Exports requiring administrative permission and / or invoice: any object made of wood, all precious and semi-precious stones, cut or rough and all gold or silver jewelry with or without incrusted stones.
