Madagascar Flag
Why visit Madagascar?
Best known for beaches, birdwatching, coral reefs, culture, fishing, hiking, landscape, scuba diving, surfing, tropical islands, and wildlife.
(Lemur). Photo Credit: Fabio Grandis/Pixabay
At a Glance
- Souvenirs to Buy: Embroidered fabric, linen, local spices, semi-precious stones, and wood carvings.
- Local Cuisine to Try: Akoho (chicken dish). Hena Kisoa Sauce (pork dish). Lasopy (soup). Masikita (skewer). Mofo Gasy (breakfast bread). Ravitoto (meat dish). Romazava (casserole). Sesika (black pudding).
- Local Drink to Try: Ranonapango (rice water). Ranovola (burnt rice tea). Three Horses Beer (pale lager). Trembo (palm wine).
Photo Credit: aga2rk/Pixabay
Fun Facts
- Home to two-thirds of the world's chameleon species.
- Valiha is an instrument made of bamboo (28 strings) that resembles a bassoon but sounds like a harp.
- Over 90% of their wildlife is found nowhere else on earth.
- Many native plant species are used as herbal remedies and illness treatments.
- Split from the Indian subcontinent around 88 million years ago.
- One of the primary rice producers in the world.
- World's second largest island country.
- The French built canals connecting chains of human-made and natural lakes.
- Home to around 170 palm species.
- Near Ilakaka provides half of the world's supply of sapphires.
- Has one of the world's largest reserves of ilmenite (titanium ore).
- Largely exports cloves, vanilla, and ylang-ylang.
Photo Credit: mika mamy/Pixabay
Special Holidays/Occasions
- Annual Events: (March) Alahamadi Be, (April) Santabary Festival, (June) Famadihana, Feria Oramena, Fisemana Festival, (July) Hiragasy, (September) Donia Music Festival, and (October) Maddajazzcar.
- Holidays: New Year's Day, Women's Day, Martyrs' Day, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Ascension, Whit Monday, Independence Day, Assumption, All Saints Day, Christmas Day, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha.
Photo Credit: Pixabay
Good to Know
- Considered one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world.
- Lacks infrastructure.
- English is not widely spoken.
- Fianarantsoa (north) produces red, rose, sparkling, and white wine.
- Most roads are unpaved and impassable in the rainy season (November - April).
- Restaurant sanitation does not always meet our standards.
- Cyclone Season is between December - April.
- Undernourishment and hunger amongst citizens is relevant.
- Annual bubonic plague outbreaks from September - April.
- Public transportation is unreliable.
- Criminals are known to steal luggage from Airport Baggage Claim areas.
- Avoid use of public transportation.
- Avoid exploring after dark. Street lighting is limited.
- Has no working traffic signals.
- The Local government restricts the export of precious gems.
- Prominently cash country. Credit cards are not widely accepted.
- Consensual same-sex sexual relations are criminal for persons under 21. Violators are subject to fines and imprisonment.
- Pedestrian injuries are common due to lack of sidewalks and designated pathways.
- Relevant diseases: Chikungunya, Dengue Fever, Malaria, Plague, Rabies, Polio, and Tuberculosis.
- Randomly vehicle checkpoints occur by local police. Inform the officer you're a U.S. Citizen and display your recommended photocopy U.S. Passport through the window.
- Use of mobile phones is illegal, including hands-free.
- Helmets are required to be worn on motorcycles.
- Seat belts are required.
Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, Madagascar. Photo Credit: photosforyou/Pixabay
This international destination requires:
- A valid passport with six months of validity upon return and three blank pages for entry stamp.
- Tourist VISA required.
- Yellow Fever Vaccination from select countries.
Nosy Be, Madagascar. Photo Credit: Rossana Bollero/Pixabay
- Best Time to Visit: July - October
- Coolest Months: May - October
- Hottest Months: November - March
- Peak Season: April - October
Photo Credit: aga2rk/Pixabay
Your Must-See & Do
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Rainforests of the Atsinanana, Royal Hill of Ambohimanga, and Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve.
Photo Credit: Anthony-X/Pixabay
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All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.
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