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An update from Evaneos
Madagascar

Travel and physical disability in Madagascar

A severe lack of infrastructures

Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world and there are very few infrastructures for persons with disabilities. The often deplorable state of the roads and pavement in the cities make it difficult for a person with reduced mobility to travel on the Red Island.

The bush taxis, taxi-be and city taxis are not equipped for the carriage of passengers with disabilities, making journeys difficult. Small hotels and restaurants generally do not have access or toilet facilities for travellers with disabilities.

That being said, nothing is impossible and some major hotels or lodges can accommodate persons with reduced mobility. If you are tempted by the adventure, check with your trip organiser - he or she will tell you what is feasible or not.

An alley in Antananarivo @MarcoZanferrari

A short tale of the bush

For example, in 2011 I spent some time in a village that welcomes tourists who want to discover the daily life of the Malagasy. One day the village guide told me that a few months earlier the village had received a dozen people in wheelchairs for a few days.

Imagine a village lost in the Madagascar bush with no roads or smooth surfaces, only sand. Well, everybody got by as best they could. The villagers helped people to move about in their wheelchairs and the guides adapted the visits to a different pace. It was not always easy, but seeing the smile on my guide's face when he told me this story I'm sure that everyone has kept wonderful memories of the experience!

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