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"Travel is a kind of escape, a way to rediscover the meaning of things, to reinvent one's own existence through the discovery of others."
During your trip to Madagascar, it is best to avoid drinking tap water. Even if you enjoy challenges and taking risks, it’s better to ask your Malagasy driver to get you some bottled water. Bottled water is very cheap in Madagascar and can be easily bought everywhere (there are plenty of street vendors with coolers or small shops selling safe bottled water). Your Malagasy driver will also have bottled water available in the car during your trip.
When preparing your bags for your upcoming trip to Madagascar, you might wonder what to pack. Here are some tips to help you prepare for your Malagasy experience.
Madagascar is generally more relaxed about dress codes compared to some other Afrika countries, but it’s still important to respect local customs. From a practical point of view, you’ll want clothes that will keep you cool, as the weather in Madagascar is often hot and humid (so avoid tight-fitting apparel). It’s also better to wear long pants instead of shorts.
This applies to both men and women in Madagascar, but it’s particularly important for women. You’ll also want to cover your shoulders, and women should avoid low-cut tops. There are no specific restrictions regarding footwear in Madagascar. Knowing that you may need to remove your shoes when visiting certain sites such as temples or places of worship, you might opt for comfortable sandals.
In any case, if you have any doubts about what is appropriate when visiting a site, you can always ask your Malagasy driver. He will be happy to offer you advice.
While you’ll undoubtedly enjoy your trip through Madagascar, safety should be an undeniable priority. During your journey, your Malagasy driver will take you to visit sites, markets, restaurants, night shows, and many other places. Whether you are traveling alone, as a solo woman, or with a family with young kids, these places can potentially be risky under certain circumstances.
At Drivers-Madagascar, our top priority is to ensure your safety. As you discover all the beauties Madagascar has to offer, your driver will continuously watch over your safety. Your Malagasy driver is very aware of risks in certain areas and will ensure you avoid trouble. Additionally, cultural differences may sometimes lead to unwanted situations, so your driver will provide advice on how to behave in specific circumstances. When choosing our range of exquisite accommodations at Drivers-Madagascar, we also pay close attention to the safety reputation of the hotels and accommodations we select. To ensure everything runs smoothly, Drivers-Madagascar will also provide you with a mobile phone with a Malagasy SIM card for the duration of your trip. This way, you can always contact your Malagasy driver in case of an emergency.
For travelers visiting Madagascar, a tourist visa is typically required. The easiest way to obtain a visa is through the online application system for an e-Visa. You can apply online in advance via the website:
If you need to pause your application, you can save your progress and return later to complete it by clicking the appropriate button on the site.
Once you complete and submit your online application, you will need to pay the visa fee (which can be done online). You will then receive an e-Visa by email, which you must print and present upon arrival in Madagascar. Ensure that your passport has at least 6 months of validity beyond your arrival date in Madagascar and has at least 2 blank pages.
If there are any issues with your application or documents, you will receive an email requesting you to provide the correct information. Typically, you will be contacted within 24 hours if any issues arise.
Your e-Visa can be requested up to 90 days before your intended arrival in Madagascar, and the visa is generally valid for 30 days. For longer stays or other types of visas, you should contact the nearest Malagasy Embassy or Consulate.
Informations techniques sur le visa électronique : Le site officiel de Madagascar e-Visa est optimisé pour les navigateurs Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, et Internet Explorer (Windows) version 9.0 et supérieure. Assurez-vous également d’avoir installé Adobe Acrobat Reader version 7.0 ou supérieure pour télécharger et imprimer le formulaire de demande complété. Le site est également compatible avec les appareils Android et iOS.
If you need to exchange foreign currency for Indian Rupees upon your arrival in India, it’s best to consult your Indian driver. Exchange rates at the airport are often less favorable to travelers. Since you won’t have immediate expenses in the first few hours of your arrival, your driver can take you to a bank in the city where you’ll likely get a better rate. For current exchange rates of Indian Rupees, you can check xe.com.
Throughout the rest of your trip in India, your driver will be available to help you locate ATMs. He knows the cities you will be visiting well and will ensure you find safe and reliable locations.
Travel assistance
Drivers-Madagascar.com is a Malagasy and European-run company based in Antananarivo. Far from the scams and tourist traps, we believe that traveling with a Malagasy driver, who will assist and guide you throughout your trip, is a unique and responsible way to discover all the wonders of the beautiful island of Madagascar!
We have been welcoming travelers from all over the world for many years, always striving to improve our services to ensure that your experience with us leaves you with unforgettable memories. Today, our team includes 12 Malagasy drivers. All of them are experienced in safe driving, sharing their culture, and taking care of you as their guests.
We operate throughout Madagascar, including Antananarivo, Nosy Be, Morondava, Toliara, Antsirabe, and many other regions. We have an extensive network of partners across the island, including tariff agreements with selected guesthouses, hotels, and lodges to provide the best prices for our clients.
It will be our honor to serve you as our guest and show you the beauty
As you prepare for your trip to Madagascar, it’s important to consider necessary health precautions. While no vaccinations are officially required to enter Madagascar, it is recommended to be vaccinated against hepatitis A and typhoid. Additionally, make sure you are up to date on routine vaccinations before traveling to any destination. For the most personalized advice, it’s best to consult with your doctor when planning your trip to Madagascar.
You may wonder if visiting Madagascar in August is a good idea. Won’t it be too hot? Will it be raining all the time?
While January to March are typically the hottest and rainiest months of the year in Madagascar, August is an ideal time to visit the island. Temperatures in January and February can exceed 35 degrees Celsius, but in August, they are much more pleasant, around 25 degrees Celsius.
Regarding rainfall, August falls in the middle of Madagascar’s dry season. This means you will have little to no rain, allowing you to fully enjoy your sightseeing and outdoor activities without being hindered by the weather.
In the end, August might actually be an excellent choice for visiting Madagascar. It won’t be too hot, and you will avoid the high tourist season, which means fewer tourists during your sightseeing.
In Madagascar, the cost of alcohol varies depending on where you purchase it. A pint of local beer (such as the popular THB or Three Horses Beer) in a restaurant typically costs around 4,000 to 6,000 Ariary (approximately 1 to 1.5 euros). If you’re looking for imported beers, the price can be higher.
A bottle of local wine usually costs between 10,000 and 25,000 Ariary (about 2.5 to 6 euros) in supermarkets or local shops. Imported wines, on the other hand, can be considerably more expensive, often costing upwards of 50,000 Ariary (around 12.5 euros) or more.
If you’re interested in finding specific brands or have particular preferences, your local driver or guide can assist you in locating suitable options during your trip.
Antananarivo, the vibrant capital of Madagascar, is best explored on foot. The city’s narrow streets and steep inclines can make vehicle access challenging, which adds to its unique charm. Most of the city’s highlights are within walking distance of each other, making it easy to explore the heart of Antananarivo.
Start your visit at the Queen’s Palace (Rova of Antananarivo), a historic site that offers stunning views over the city. From there, it’s a short walk to Andafiavaratra Palace, which houses a fascinating museum showcasing the history of Madagascar.
Take a stroll down to Lac Anosy, a picturesque lake surrounded by beautiful gardens and colonial-era buildings. The lake is also home to the Monument aux Morts, a war memorial dedicated to soldiers who fought during World War I.
Wander through the bustling Analakely Market, where you can experience local life and shop for crafts, spices, and souvenirs. Nearby, the Tsimbazaza Zoo is a great place to see Madagascar’s unique wildlife.
The Prime Minister’s Palace, located in the higher part of the city, offers panoramic views of Antananarivo and is worth a visit for its historical significance and architectural beauty.
Overall, Antananarivo’s compact layout and pedestrian-friendly areas make it easy to explore its key attractions at a leisurely pace.
When traveling through Madagascar with a local driver, you’ll find that your driver provides much more than just transportation. Throughout your journey, your driver will offer valuable tips about places to visit, recommend good restaurants, and share insider information about Malagasy culture and habits. If any unexpected issues arise, such as illness, your driver will be dedicated to assisting you and ensuring your well-being.
However, when it comes to providing detailed tours or guiding you through specific attractions, your driver is not officially a guide. In Madagascar, only accredited guides with specific licenses are authorized to provide in-depth tours at paid attraction sites. These accredited guides are usually available at the entrance of most major sites, and your driver will be happy to assist you in finding one if needed.
Malagasy people can sometimes be reserved, so don’t hesitate to ask your driver questions about the country and its culture. They will be more than willing to share their knowledge and enhance your travel experience with their insights.
A common question visitors to Madagascar may have is about the mileage of the car with their Malagasy driver. To the question of whether the mileage is unlimited during your trip to Madagascar, the answer is both yes and no. There is no limit on mileage in the sense that your Malagasy driver will not stop driving once you reach a certain number of kilometers. When preparing the quote for your trip to Madagascar, we take into account your itinerary to estimate the total running kilometers of your car.
At Drivers-Madagascar, we include distances to the regular sites and attractions you will visit during your stay. We also allow for some additional mileage for small extra trips you might take with your Malagasy driver (such as going out in the evening, visiting a site twice, etc.). We don’t want you to have to worry about extra charges every time you make a minor deviation from the original plan. This is the flexibility that having a driver offers. However, we cannot offer truly unlimited mileage. Since we include fuel costs in our price, it’s clear that we cannot cover unlimited additional costs. Therefore, if at any point during your trip in Madagascar you decide to change your route, you can simply inform your Malagasy driver. If the change is significant, your driver will let you know and we will quickly provide you with a quote. You can then decide whether to accept it or not.
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