Madagascar

Understand

History Madagascar's first settlers, the Austronesians, likely arrived in the mid-1st millennium CE. The island's first inhabitants are believed to have come from both Southeast Asia and East Africa. Madagascar saw the rise of various powerful kingdoms and chiefdoms. Among them was the Merina Kingdom in the central highlands, which began to dominate in the 15th century. The Merina people developed a sophisticated political structure. France began to show interest in Madagascar in the 17th century, setting up trading posts along the coast. The French influence grew in the 18th century, particularly as they sought to exploit resources, including valuable timber and spices. In 1896, after a period of escalating tensions, France formally made Madagascar a colony. The French imposed harsh rule, leading to resistance movements, such as the uprising of 1947, which was brutally suppressed. A movement for independence led by figures like Philippe Tsiranana gained support and Madagascar gained independence from France on 26 June 1960, when he became the first president. In the 21st century, Madagascar experienced political instability, including the controversial election of 2001 that led to protests and a military coup in 2009 that ousted President Marc Ravalomanana. The political situation has improved since then, but the country still faces challenges in terms of economic development.

People Despite its proximity to Africa, language and DNA studies show that the people of Madagascar are predominantly ethnically Austronesian; their ancestors between 350 BCE and 550 CE. Later, around 1000 CE, migrants crossed the Mozambique Channel and arrived from East Africa, and were followed by Arabs, Indians, and Chinese immigrants. The Malagasy way of thinking, as well as their appear

See

1 Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve. is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is Madagascar's largest reserve (152,000 hectares). The fascinating raised limestone plateau is decorated with a frail, chaotic razor-sharp collection of pinnacles, the “Tsingy”, also called the Labyrinth of Stone. Areas of deciduous forest also provide the chance to see brown lemurs, a variety of bird life and the rare all white Decken’s sifaka. The great variety of flora includes: aloes, orchids, numerous pachypodium and baobabs. The deciduous forest is home to over 50 species of birds; 7 species of lemurs (including the all-white Deckens sifaka) and the rare stump-tailed chameleon (Brookesia perarmata). The site of Bemaraha is managed under special UNESCO and access is restricted and the areas you are allowed to visit vary from time to time. Located approximately 180 km north of Morondava. 2 Avenue of the Baobabs. is an extraordinary stand of huge baobab trees, 45 minutes north of Morondava on Madagascar's west coast. It is one of the most visited sites in the Menabe Region. A candidate as one of the 7 Wonders of Africa; efforts are underway to protect this unique grove of more than a dozen trees. Some of the trees, Adansonia grandidieri, are over 800 years old and reach a height of more than 30 metres. A photographer's paradise, and especially beaut

Getting there

Visa Visitors from most countries can obtain a Madagascar tourist visa upon arrival in Madagascar (information accurate as of March 2020).

For stays of up to 14 nights €10 For stays of up to 30 days US$37 or €35. For longer stays of up to 60 days US$45 or €40. The Antananarivo airport visa on arrival counter was no longer issuing 90-day stays as of November 2018. You must pay for the visa with cash: in US dollars or euros. They also ask for an address of your first night stay. You can get a 30 day visa extension 80.000Ar at the Immigration Office at the ministry of the Interior five minutes from Carlton Hotel in Antananarivo or at the commissariat of police offices around Madagascar. The maximum stay on a tourist visa is 90 days. After 90 days, you can go to Reunion or Mauritius then come back.

Vaccination Prior to your trip, you should ensure that your routine vaccinations are up-to-date; these include polio, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, MMR and typhoid (check with your doctor). If you are travelling through a country where yellow fever is present then you will be required to show proof of vaccination for yellow fever before you will be allowed entry into Madagascar.

By plane

International flights to Madagascar generally either go to Antananarivo (TNR IATA) or Nosy Be (NOS IATA). Madagascar Airlines is the national carrier and offers flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle, Marseille and Guangzhou, Other airlines serving Madagascar:

Airlink South Africa provides daily flights from Johannesburg. Air France offer flights from Europe, North America, South America via Paris Charles de Gaulle. Air Austral offer flights to Antananarivo, Nosy Be, Toamasina from Paris, Marseille, Bangkok, Chennai, Johannesburg, Mauritius, Seychelles. Flights transfer on Reunion Island.

Getting around

By plane Madagascar Airlines serves 11 destinations throughout the country, and provide a much faster option than driving given the poor state of many roads. While the airline will provide you with a hotel and book you on the next available flight in the case of a cancellation, don't book tight connections and always confirm your flight time the night before.

By train As of 2023 Madarail operates only one service, a 9-hour trip between Moramanga (115 km east of Antananarivo) and Ambila Lemaitso on the east coast. The railway dates from the colonial period, so breakdowns are frequent due to poor maintenance, and the line may be closed for several weeks.

By car

Madagascar's roads are almost all of very low grade (with the exception of 2 routes leading out of Tana). Many roads are studded with potholes and are quagmires in the rainy season. Travel by road will almost always take much more time than you would normally expect. Hire of a 4WD vehicle can reduce this problem but the cost will be higher but still very cost effective if you are not travelling alone and able to split the rental fee between the members of your group (at least US$70/day/car as of October 2014). In nearly all cases a car rental will include the cost of a driver and his accommodation, but verify when booking your rental; most companies will not rent a car without a driver, and in many cases the driver can act as your guide and translator as well.

By taxi-brousse

Taxi-brousse, or interurban shared taxi, is the way most natives travel around the country. There are three major modern roads in the country: RN7 from Tana to Toliara, RN2 from Tana to Tomasina (via Brickaville) and RN4 from Tana to Mahajanga. Trips between those towns take about a day, whereas traveling between Tana and Taolagn