Madagascar is the oldest and fourth biggest island in the planet, with the climatic diversity and topographical of a little continent.
It is an irresistible place for lovers of the great naturalists, outdoors, photographers and visitors looking to immerse themselves in a special and amazing place. Here are some of the best holidays to Madagascar tips and tricks:
When to go
The excellent time of year to travel to Madagascar depends on your particular interests. The visitor season falls between April and December, with the rainy period claiming the other months with dangerous of cyclones and many roads becoming in-passable. The top season coincides with the Western summer holidays and chill temperatures in July and August. This is a remarkable time for whale watching, but many reptiles are hibernating. Hot weather in September to December attracts those preferring beach locations and activities, whilst birders wildlife lovers will welcome reptiles, birds, and rodents. We advise to come to Madagascar with Madagascar holiday packages.
Currency
Most big currencies, including Pounds Sterling, Euros, and Dollars can be exchanged at banks in the majority of cities. People offering to exchange cash for you on the streets are unofficial sellers and will not usually provide best rates. Travellers cheques can be hard to exchange and generally do not have very best exchange rates. There are some ATMs in the capital but these generally only accept VISA and give out a minimum of approximately USD $170.
Getting around
Getting around Madagascar needs a best deal of flexibility and patience. Most locals travel through taxi brousse and whilst this is an affordable choice and best way to immerse yourself in local culture, set realistic guesses; are you someone who can tolerate being cramped in a little mini-van for a long period of time? A more costly but relax choice is to hire a domestic driver which also provide you the flexibility of stopping as needed along the way – or to cut travel time by flying with Air Madagascar or flights to Madagascar.
Health
Malaria is a dangerous all through the country so anti-malaria tablets are very important, as is being up to date with your travel vaccinations. Do not drink the tap water – it is not safe and make sure ice in drinks is made from filtered water. If you plan to spend time in rural places, a basic first aid kit is helpful – mainly for visitors cuts, diarrhoea and scratches from antihistamines and forest walks if you react from insect bites.
What to pack
Madagascar has a big landscape with dry forests, rain forests, rivers, deserts, beaches and mountains. It has a varied climate to match and depending on the time of year and place on the Island, you may encounter rain, dry heat, humidity, cool nights and wonderful days. Light and relax layers are best for varied weather and you will also encourage best walking shoes, sunscreen, waterproof jackets and a hat.
Language
French is the second official language so French-speaking visitors have a benefit when it comes to communicating with the locals. English is now being taught in most schools and becoming more vital, especially among local guides and in hotels.