When to go
The best time to go to Madagascar is from May through November, during the dry season. Avoid the coast between February and March, because that's hurricane season...Entry requirements
A visa is required to visit Madagascar. It's possible to get it before your trip from the Embassy of Madagascar in Paris (as Madagascar does not have an Embassy in London), or you can get a visa at the airport upon arrival. A 30-day tourist visa is free of charge. For 30 to 60 days, the visa costs 70 euros, or around £52. For a 60- to 90-day stay, you'll have to pay 100 euros, or around £73. If you want to stay longer, it is possible to get a 30-day transformable visa on-site in Madagascar at a Malagasy Embassy or Consulate. Expect to pay 100 euros, or around £73 for this.Health advise
Except for a case of the runs, you aren't likely to get seriously sick if you follow some basic rules. Don't drink the tap water, forget about ice, if possible avoid eating raw fruits and vegetables, avoid contact with stray dogs, do not bathe in stagnant water, etc .
There are no vaccine requirements for visiting Madagascar, but with that being said, I still recommend the basic vaccines (rabies and the combined polio, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine), as well as hepatitis A and B and typhoid fever. Depending on the length and place of your stay, it is also recommended that you get antimalaria treatment, especially if you plan on travelling in the jungle.
Airline tickets
The average price for a round trip plane ticket from London is between £950 to £1100.Time difference
The time difference between the UK and Madagascar is two hours in the summer and three in the winter. That means that during the summer, when it's noon in the UK, it's 2:00 pm in Madagascar. And in winter, it would be 3:00 pm.Language
The official languages are Malagasy and French, but there are numerous dialects depending on the area and ethnic group.Relevant contacts
Address and phone number for the British Embassy in Antananarivo, Madagascar:
Ninth Floor Tour Zital Ravoninahitriniarivo Street Ankorondrano Antananarivo 101 Madagascar
Ph.: +261 20 22 330 53 +261 20 22 356 27
There is no Madagascar Embassy in the United Kingdom. For services, you may contact the nearest Embassy in Paris, France.
4, avenue Raphaël 75016 PARIS.
Ph.: 01 45 04 62 11
Phone and internet connection
To call Madagascar from abroad, you must enter the following country code: 261, followed by the local phone number.
More and more hotels are starting to offer Wi-Fi to their customers, however this is not the rule everywhere. You'll also find many cybercafés, but don't expect a great connection...
