Madagascar

The wealth of rainforests, beaches and reefs on this island off the southeast coast of Africa makes Madagascar an ideal home for thousands of unique animals, most famously lemurs. But Madagascar is not just rich in wildlife: there are plentiful centuries-old baobab trees to be found lining the famous ‘Avenue of the Baobabs’, as well as a hillside complex of royal palaces and burial grounds at Ambohimanga, near the capital. And yet, despite the fascinating history and wildlife to be found, Madagascar remains a largely untouched gem.

KEY FACTS BEFORE YOU GO:

• Capital: Antananarivo


• Currency: Malagasy ariary


• Time Difference: 2 hours AHEAD of BST, and 3 hours AHEAD of GMT


• Flight time: Flights are not direct, and the quickest connecting routes are just under 14 hours


• Official language: French and Malagasy


• Entry requirements: Visas are required, but it is possible to buy a 30/60/90-day tourist visa on arrival at the airport in cash - US dollars, Euros, or Malagasy Ariary are all accepted. The Embassy in London cannot currently issue visas, but if you wish to apply in advance, you will need to apply for a visa at the Embassy of Madagascar in Paris, via 4 Avenue Raphaël 75016 Paris, telephone: +33 (0) 9 83 32 45 15 / +33 (0) 9 83 32 27; email: [email protected]. For other visa enquiries, you can contact the Visa Office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Madagascar, email: [email protected]. Make sure that an entry stamp is recorded in your passport, and that your visa is valid for the period and purpose of your journey. Your passport is required to have a minimum of 6 months' validity from the date of entry, and you must have at least 2 blank pages in your passport on arrival.


• Vaccinations and Health: You should always ensure that you travel with adequate travel health insurance. For up-to-date information, please check this website (as recommended by the Foreign Office): https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/134/madagascar. If vaccinations are required, it is generally advisable to arrange an appointment with a health professional four to six weeks before departure.

General information on travel vaccinations can be found on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/travel-vaccinations/

To find out more, and for the most up-to-date advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/madagascar