It is recommended that you stay on high alert for crime when touring the Madagascar since crime is widespread in the country. Armed gangs are known to stalk areas where tourists go, and kidnappings and armed robberies do occur from time to time.
Muggings and petty crimes like purse snatchings and pickpocketing also happen on a regular basis, hence visitors should be particularly vigilant in areas frequented by tourists in the city of Antananarivo.
Make sure you find and make use of a reputable tour operator before going to the country and don’t hire locals without proper verification of their fitness to act as guides. This way one can avoid getting criminals posing as guides as there have been incidents of robberies and attacks after tourists fell victim to these perpetrators.
Armed attacks may occur on main highways, especially at night and particularly between Fianarantsoa and Toliara in the south.
Flying is a much safer mode of transport than driving in the country. When driving, windows should be closed, doors locked, and valuables kept safely out of sight.
When visiting national parks, visitors should be extremely vigilant as gangs have been known to target tourists at beaches and in the national parks. Do not visit parks alone, rather go with a reputable guided tour.
When swimming in the sea, be aware that sharks may be present – especially in the Tamatave and Manakara areas. As for doing scuba diving off the coast, remember there are decompression chambers in Madagascar.
With regards to weather in the country, note should be taken that the rainy season occurs during the period from November to March. Some roads may become impassable during this period.
Cyclone season also is around November to April. These storms can get extremely severe and can leave you stranded or in danger. Foreign visitors should continuously stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts.
If you plan to do some sailing or boating, remember that pirate attacks and armed robberies do occur in the surrounding waters. Mariners should take all appropriate precautions to prevent disasters and loss of life.
Batterie Beach, which is just north of Toliara and where violent assaults have occurred, carries a specific warning and all visitors are urgently advised not to go there. In the main capital of Antananarivo, visitors should avoid the specific area where the steps lead to the Rova, Avenue de l’Indépendance, the Analakely market, the road leading to the Soarano train station and the Café de La Gare.
When walking around the streets and doing sightseeing or shopping, visitors should leave their valuables safely locked in their hotel rooms or a hotel safe. Some crimes do occur in hotels too, so they should also take precautions when using a hotel safe and hide their money from prying eyes.
It is advisable to keep your hotel room doors and windows locked at night.
Always keep only a little cash in your purse or wallet on your person and conceal the rest. Make sure you don’t wear it in a place that is easily pickpocketed or seen and take extreme caution when doing shopping and the need arises to take money from your wallet or hiding place.
When going to the beach, do not leave your clothes or items out of sight and do not carry valuables or documents with you. Keep photocopies of important documents in a hotel safe or a secure place.
Be vigilant in restaurants or bars if you are carrying a handbag. Never put it down behind you or at your feet but keep it above the table and a sling preferably hooked around a part of your body.
Notify the police immediately if you do get robbed. You will have to show them a copy of your insurance documents and make sure that you get hold of a copy of the police report.
Public transportation is unreliable and should only be used during daytime hours. Vehicles are poorly maintained, and rail services are particularly limited and unpredictable.
Visitors that want to get around on their owns, should exercise an extreme amount of caution when driving in Madagascar. Since most rental agencies rent cars with drivers, it would be a much better option to make use of such a service. It is far better to use a driver with a rental car, since if a vehicle accident happens, it can draw crowds who can become violent.
Road conditions change throughout the country. Common hazards on the road include pedestrians, roaming domestic and wild animals and during the rainy season bridges are easily damaged. Other vehicles on the road are often badly maintained and may also pose a risk.
Before you set out on a journey, make sure to ask the local authorities if the conditions are right and keep an eye on the general weather conditions in the country as well as forecasts for the area you visit.
Carry your passport with you, for when you come across a roadblock, the authorities will ask to see it. Abide by the officials’ commands and stay calm.
Photography of military and government installations anywhere in the country is prohibited. The local people also do not like it when tourists take photos of them without consent. It is after all only courteous to ask for permission of somebody, as well as everywhere else if you want to take photos – especially when deciding to photograph tombs.
Any visitor must carry his or her passport on his or her person at all times. If you are stopped by police, they will not be satisfied to see certified copies, just the original.
There are severe penalties for sexual exploitation of minors in the country and it is an offence for civilians to dress in camouflage or other military-style clothing. Wearing military-style clothing can lead to detention and fines.
Visitors should respect all elders and authority figures in the country. If you do visit a small remote village, make sure you first address the head of the tribe.
Madagascar’s law does not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. However, homosexuality is not socially tolerated. Same sex couples visiting the country should exercise extreme discretion in public and also when making hotel bookings.
Drug smuggling is a serious offence in Madagascar. Penalties for drug offences, including those involving “soft” drugs, are severe and include prison sentences. Do not offer to carry any package from an unknown of suspicious source in your luggage as you risk being used as a drug mule.
Tourists over the age of 21 years are permitted to bring the following items duty free into the country: Two cartons of cigarettes, and two litres of alcoholic beverages.
Keep in mind that you must never try to export gemstones or other precious materials from Madagascar. The Madagascar government recently imposed restrictions on the export of precious gems, so before buying any gemstones, seek clarification about the applicable laws.
It is illegal to bring or leave with food items (including fruit), protected plants and animals and there is also a restriction on exporting vanilla – with a limit of 100 grams.
Always keep your passport with you and keep a certified copy in a safe place. If you do lose your passport, report it to your nearest police station and get a copy of the police report. Also report it to your embassy to obtain another passport.
Medical facilities and supplies are inadequate in Antananarivo and extremely scarce through the rest of the country. The availability of prescription and over-the-counter medications is also limited. Take sufficient supplies of medication for the duration of your stay and carry a copy of any original prescription.
There are no decompression chambers in Madagascar.
You have to pay upfront at private clinics. For more serious cases, you will have to be medically evacuated, so ensure your medical travel insurance covers this.
The CDC recommend the following vaccinations for all travellers to Madagascar: Hepatitis A and B, Influenza, Yellow Fever, Shingles, Meningitis, Polio, Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), Chickenpox, Rabies, Pneumonia and Typhoid.
Malaria and other insect-borne diseases, including dengue fever, rift valley fever, chikungunya fever and filariasis are quite common throughout the country. Use insect repellent and wear clothing that covers exposed skin to prevent insect bites. Malaria is a life-threatening disease. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Infected mosquitoes carry the Plasmodium parasite. When this mosquito bites you, the parasite is released into your bloodstream.
Symptoms can be similar to that of flu or cause shaking chills that can range from moderate to severe, a high fever, profuse sweating, headaches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, muscle pain and bloody stools.
Cholera is a severe form of diarrhoea and it can be fatal. Get to your nearest hospital or clinic if you have symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting, chills and fever. It is caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated with a bacterium called Vibrio cholera.
Travellers need to have a yellow fever vaccination before arriving in Madagascar. Yellow fever is spread by infected mosquitoes. Symptoms are similar to malaria; ranging from flu-like chills and fever to server hepatitis and jaundice. If left untreated or not diagnosed early, the disease is life-threatening.
Do not drink the tap water and ice. Drink bottled water and beverages. Thoroughly cooked hot foods can be eaten as it will mean most infections can be avoided. Raw fruits can be eaten only if they have an unbroken skin and are peeled. Raw vegetables and salads should be avoided due to contamination.
If food has been left out of a refrigerator for longer than an hour, especially eggs, chicken and dairy, do not consume it.
Rabies can be found in dogs, bats and other mammals in Madagascar which is life threatening. Don’t go near pets or stray dogs or cats, they may bite and scratch you.
Heat exhaustion is a common problem, especially among tourists that come from cooler climates. Symptoms include a bad headache, dizziness, vomiting and extreme tiredness. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of bottled water or beverages. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and apply sunscreen lotion to prevent yourself from getting sunburn.
Chronic dehydration makes you feel weak, tired, and lightheaded and increases your risk of developing kidney stones.
Move into a cool area or room and elevate your feet and legs. Drink lots of fluids until your body temperature drops. Seek medical treatment if the symptoms persist.
Despite the HIV incidence rate of 0.18 per 1 000 people, the number of people living with HIV in Madagascar has increased by at least 54 percent since 2010.
The numbers are however still relatively low in comparison to other African countries. The disease is spread through sexual contact or shared blood or contaminated medical equipment. Avoid the risk by avoiding new sexual encounters while on holiday. If you cannot abstain, condoms can provide some protection.
Foreign women travelling without male company are probably going to encounter a few local men who will try and make unwanted advances. A firm rebuttal is usually sufficient. The best advice is to wear a ring and say you are married. Do not travel drive or walk alone at night. Use common sense when looking after your own safety.
MoAfrika Tours is a leading tour operator in South Africa that offers an outstanding selection of tours to Madagascar We have a close association with the most reputable tour operators in Madagascar who make safety a priority.