Madagascar Passport and Visa entry requirements

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Madagascar Passport and Visa entry requirements
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Passports:

To enter Madagascar, a passport valid for six months after date of entry is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
Visas:

Visas for Madagascar are required by all nationals referred to in the chart above, except transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours providing they hold onward or return documentation and do not leave the airport.

Return or onward tickets are required.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements for Madagascar.


An application for a new Malagasy passport will require completion of an application and payment of fees. For further details and other travel related information, contact the consular section of the Malagasy embassy or the Malagasy consulate nearest to you.

Required supporting documents might include and are not limited to any of the following:

Birth certificate
Certificates of identity
Proof of citizenship
Passport-size photographs
Self addressed stamped envelope

Entry Requirements : For US citizens only.

A passport and visa are required. Visas should be obtained in advance, although airport visas are available in Antananarivo, which is the only city with an international airport. Travelers who opt to obtain an airport visa should expect delays upon arrival. Evidence of yellow fever immunization is required for all travelers who have been in an infected zone within six months of their arrival in Madagascar.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.

Vacation and Holidays in Madagascar

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Vacation and Holidays in Madagascar
Travel tips for your trip to Madagascar Hotel Maps Famous Places in Madagascar helps you to make your trip to Madagascar in the holiday a Splendid One


Many people around the world connect to Madagascar to see the wildlife of the island. The green side of Madagascar is becoming more and more popular worldwide. A simple search on the Internet will return you lots of results concerning the island of Madagascar. When you visit Madagascar, you need to be careful because it is one of the least developed countries in the world. The infrastructures are not too good, especially when it comes to roads.

Actually, the road infrastructure of Madagascar has been improved recently and people can now travel peacefully on paved roads from Antananarivo to other parts of Madagascar. Many roads around the island have been fixed, to enable people, mostly tourists to travel hassle free to their destinations. Nonetheless, the road infrastructure in Madagascar remains poor if compared to other countries. So, if you have landed on Madagascar for a lengthy stay, you might consider hiring a vehicle for your mobility needs.

As a matter of fact, you might opt to take a car on rent if you plan to drive on the well-paved routes around Madagascar. Well, renting a car in Madagascar will not come cheap, so you might need some time finding out the best deal for you. Stay safe from those who would want to fool you and gather sufficient information if you want to take a vehicle on rent from someone. Should you decide to venture towards the national parks and the undeveloped sites of Madagascar, it is recommended to take a 4x4 on rent. You might as well hire a driver who knows the different areas of Madagascar as it is unsafe to travel alone in places you do not know. Wages are not too high in Madagascar; therefore stay unworried about having to pay the driver too much!

It is important to know that many people in Madagascar do not understand English. So, hiring a guide makes sense in case you do not speak French. Additionally, if you have made the trip to Madagascar in search of breathtaking sensations, you could hire a motorcycle. A motorcycle will come cheaper than a car and you will be able to access places where cars can’t. The big risk is that you might have a breakdown while you move around. Hence, it’s required that you have at least the basic reparations skills before you select a two-wheeled carrier.

On the other hand, you can even consider traveling around Madagascar in the traditional way. That is, you can take taxis, buses and cargo boats to reach the places you desire. For sure, you will save more money in contrast to hiring your own vehicle. Should you be uncertain about the way to proceed, meet other travelers or refer to the Internet to clear your doubts.

Free Guide of Antananarivo City

http://travel-to-madagascar.blogspot.com/2011/10/free-guide-of-antananarivo-city.html
Free Guide of Antananarivo City
Travel tips for your trip to Madagascar Hotel Maps Famous Places in Madagascar helps you to make your trip to Madagascar in the holiday a Splendid One


Capital of Madagascar and a city of 2,000,000 located in the High Plateau, "Tana" is a harmonious tumble of earth-red brick houses from grandiose to miserable, lush gardens and garbage dumps, flowers and bustling market places, ante-deluvian automobiles, grid-lock traffic jams, elegant business people and street urchins: love it or hate it but it won't leave you indifferent.

Access:
By air - Ivato International airport
By road - from all major cities: Tamatave, Majunga, Morondava, Antsirabe and beyond

Lodging / Hotels:
Hotel Colbert, Tel: 22 202 02: "the place to stay while in Tana." The Colbert has charm, impeccable service and La Taverne, the best restaurant in Madagascar.
Tana Plaza, Tel: 22 218 65: new, comforable but small rooms, good value
Hotel de France, Tel: 22 213 04: entirely refurbished, excellent restaurant
Hilton Madagascar, Tel: 22 260 60: a Hilton with hamburgers and all
Hotel Ibis, Tel: 22 390 00: new, great location, reasonable prices
Hotel Radama, Tel: 22 319 27: a favorite of visiting businessmen
Hotel Mercure Palissandre, Tel: 22 203 00: excellent establishment, great view, unfortunately the location is not entirely desirable
Hotel Sakamanga, Tel 22 358 09: moderate, well located, good restaurant, always booked up, a favorite with French visitors

Lodging / Bed & Breakfast:
Residence Lapasoa, Tel: 22 611 40: comfortable, well located, reasonably priced
Le Relais des Pistards, Tel: 22 291 34: near Tsimbazaza, warm hospitality, great value

Activities:
Tsimbazaza Zoo and Cultural Museum
Croc Farm
Queen's Summer Palace of Ambohimanga
Artisans Market of Androvoahangy

Our opinion: Although many international flights directly connect to domestic destinations, a stop in "Tana" is recommended upon arrival. Not only is it a good idea because of jet-lag (8 hours difference from New York, 11 hours from L.A.), and to adjust to the altitude of the High Plateaux, but mainly as an introduction to the country one is about to discover. Its diverse ethnic groups, rich cultural heritage, colonial past, and dynamic new city administration all blend in the capital, where its attractive, youthful population reflect the hope of a better future for Madagascar. (It should be noted that multiple stops in Antananarivo are the norm on any given itinerary due to the lack of good domestic connections.) Definitely spend a couple of days in Antananarivo… the food and music are great!

Money Exchange for Madagascar -Services - Money

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Money Exchange for Madagascar -Services - Money
Travel tips for your trip to Madagascar Hotel Maps Famous Places in Madagascar helps you to make your trip to Madagascar in the holiday a Splendid One




Currency information:

Currency can be bought only at banks and official bureaux de change in hotels and at the airport in Antananarivo. Exchange rates in hotels are less-favourable than other outlets. The Ariary is non-convertible and cannot be exchanged back into tradable currency. Changing small amounts, as required, is therefore advisable.

The pre-colonial Ariary (MGA; symbol Ar) has replaced the Malagasy Franc (MGF). Notes are in denominations of Ar10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200 and 100. Coins are in denominations of Ar50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1.

Note: Malagasy Francs are no longer accepted.
Credit cards:

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted at top-end hotels in Tana and the provincial capitals. However, outside of the main cities cash is king.
ATM:

ATMs can be found in and around the capital and in some of the larger towns.
Travellers cheques:

These can be exchanged in banks and major hotels. Traveller's cheques in Euros or US Dollars are advisable to avoid additional exchange rate charges.
Banking hours:

Mon-Fri 0800-1100 and 1400-1600.
Currency restriction:

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency.
Currency exchange:

Currency can be bought only at banks and official bureaux de change in hotels and at the airport in Antananarivo. Hotels have a less-favourable exchange rate. The Ariary is a non-convertible currency and cannot be exchanged back into tradable currency. Therefore it is a good idea to exchange currency as required.

Health and Medical Information for Madagascar

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Health and Medical Information for Madagascar
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Health insurance is strongly recommended; it should include cover for emergency repatriation. Private and public healthcare is available, but public facilities can be very limited. Visitors should pack plenty of medication for stomach upsets as effective remedies on-the-ground are limited.
Food and drink:

Water quality country-wide is likely to be contaminated so water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should be sterilised or boiled first. Milk is unpasteurised and so the widely-available powdered or tinned milk is advised. Dairy products are also best avoided. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Check all food is well-cooked, especially meat and fish.
Other risks:

Bilharzia is common but travellers can avoid it by not swimming and paddling in fresh water; only clean, well-chlorinated swimming pools. Vaccinations against tuberculosis and hepatitis B are sometimes advised. There have been outbreaks of human plaguen Northwest Madagascar as well as in other regions; travellers should avoid handling sick or dead animals and take insect protection measures such as repellent.

Short History Of Madagascar and Culture

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Short History Of Madagascar and Culture
Travel tips for your trip to Madagascar Hotel Maps Famous Places in Madagascar helps you to make your trip to Madagascar in the holiday a Splendid One


Madagascar’s recent modern history has been plagued by turmoil and political unrest. In December 2006, President Marc Ravalomanana secured a second presidential term beating former prime minister Norbert Lala Ratsirahonan with 54.8% of the vote. Amidst violent protests in which dozens of people lost their lives, Ravalomanana struggled to cling to power, before eventually being ousted by Andry Rajoelina in March 2009.

Although Ravalomanana had successfully opened up Madagascar's economy to foreign investment, particularly in mining, he had failed to address the pressing issue of poverty with 70% of the population living on less than US$1 a day. With full military backing, Mr Rajoelina, a former DJ, proclaimed himself president and suspended parliament despite being technically too young to be in power at 34, according to the Madagascan constitution. The current minimum age is set at 40 for presidential candidates. He declared Ravalomanana a corrupt tyrant who had misspent public money and duped the voting population.

A shaky power-sharing agreement between Rajoelina and supporters of Marc Ravalomanana was abandoned within hours of being established – a great source of frustration and disappointment to the African Union, the Southern Africa Development Community and the UN, all three of whom sent in some of their top envoys to facilitate talks and negotiations.

After sacking Prime Minister Monja Roindefo he replaced him with academic Eugene Mangalaza before he, in turn, was ousted from his post. Mr Rajoelina then named Col Vital Albert Camille as a replacement, even though he had previously said he would appoint Cecile Manorohanta in the role.

Parliamentary elections have been scheduled by Rajoelina for November 2010, though he has declared he will not stand. Mr Rajoelina has also argued that all three surviving former heads of state, who are his political rivals, should also be barred from standing in the presidential election – though Marc Ravalomanana is highly likely to contest any such restrictions.
Religion:

52% follow animist beliefs; about 41% Christian; remainder Muslim.

Madagascar accommodation Hotel guide. Details

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Madagascar accommodation Hotel guide. Details
Travel tips for your trip to Madagascar Hotel Maps Famous Places in Madagascar helps you to make your trip to Madagascar in the holiday a Splendid One




You will find comfortable Hotels in Antananarivo offering a wide range of Accommodations in Antananarivo. Antananarivo, the capital of the island nation of Madagascar, is an attractive tourist destination in eastern Africa. The city is visited by a number of domestic and international travelers throughout the year. Whether you are traveling for business purposes or simply on a world tour with your family – Antananarivo Hotels are ready to provide you all the facilities you need. Most of the leading Hotels in Antananarivo are clustered around the city center. Accommodations in Antananarivo range from ordinary budget hotels to plush 4-star hotels.
4-Star Hotels in Antananarivo

4-star hotels in Antananarivo are designed to offer you all the comforts and luxury. Here you can have most of the modern leisure facilities. You can spend the holidays comfortably at these hotels. Apart from the world class amenities, the warm hospitality and superior service they offer are sure to please you. The Luxury Hotels in Antananarivo are situated on the edge of beautiful Lake Anosy. The guests can enjoy recreational amenities such as health club, spa, outdoor swimming pools, tennis court, shopping arcade and many more. Business facilities such as conference halls, currency exchange, ATM and well equipped business centers are offered by upscale Antananarivo Hotels. Some of the notable 4-star Hotels in Antananarivo are:
Hilton Madagascar, Antananarivo Other Hotels in Antananarivo

If you are looking for hotels which are located close to the city center, which offer amenities at a reasonable price then you can check in to the Budget Hotels in Antananarivo. They also offer small scale business facilities along with some of the leisure facilities. Because of their city centric location, these hotels can be convenient bases for Sightseeing in Antananarivo. These hotels also offer on-site dinning facility, business centers, bars and more. The Hotels in Antananarivo include pocket friendly Bed and Breakfast hotels and Guest Houses which are suitable for backpackers. Irianja Guest House and Select Hotel are example of budget hotels in the city.

Some other popular Hotels in Antananarivo are :

Ibis Antananarivo
De France Hotel
Radama Hotel
Sunny Hotel
Hotel Colbert


De France Hotel

Located at the city center De France Hotel, Antananarivo is a nice hotel offering 3-star amenities. Since its opening in 1958 Hotel De France has been offering superior service and world class amenities to the tourists in the city. Overlooking the lively streets of the city De France Hotel provides an ideal leisure hangout. Personalized service, excellent onsite dining and conferencing facilities help De France Hotel, Antananarivo to stand out among all the Hotels in Antananarivo.
Accommodation in De France Hotel, Antananarivo

De France Hotel in Antananarivo offers medium range of Accommodations in Antananarivo. The spacious 30 rooms of the hotel are spread across the 3 floors of the building. All guest rooms are tastefully decorated with exquisite wooden furniture, decorative wall hangings and fine soft furnishing. The rooms at De France Hotel Antananarivo are equipped with an array of modern facilities including television with satellite channels, individually-controlled air-conditioning machines, telephone, wardrobe, and private terrace and ensuite bathrooms. De France Hotel, Antananarivo also offers non-smoking rooms for those who are allergic to smoke. Apart from room service, daily maid service is also available at the hotel.
Dining in De France Hotel, Antananarivo

The main restaurant at De France Hotel in Antananarivo is popular for its French cuisines prepared by the expert chef. The friendly ambiance and a fascinating view of the surrounding area from the restaurant add charm to your dining at La Brasserie restaurant. Drop in to the bar' le Bistrot et l'Igloo' to relish home made beer and ice-cream.
Business and Conference at De France Hotel, Antananarivo

The design of the conference rooms at De France Hotel, Antananarivo is flexible enough to host all kinds of formal and social gathering, wedding parties as well as business meetings. The guests are provided with latest technical equipment and audiovisual facilities at the hotel. They can also avail of various services and facilities such as high speed Internet connection and currency exchange at the business center at De France Hotel in Antananarivo.
Other Amenities and Services in De France Hotel, Antananarivo

De France Hotel, Antananarivo offers various other services to their guests. The facilities include security, front desk, car rental desk, car parking, laundry service, baby sitting and many more. Extensive facilities and quality service have earned De France Hotel a top position in the list of premier Antananarivo Hotels.

Hilton Madagascar

Hilton Madagascar, Antananarivo is one of the finest hotels in the region. The hotel, which was constructed in 1970 and refurbished in 1998, offers comfortable accommodation to its guests. Hilton Madagascar, Antananarivo caters to both leisure and business tourists. You are sure to enjoy your stay at this Antananarivo Hotel.
Accommodation in Hilton Madagascar, Antananarivo

Hilton Madagascar in Antananarivo features 170 well appointed accommodation units on 15 floors. The hotel offers a host of room facilities to make your stay comfortable. Some of the facilities are:

Air Conditioner
Newspaper free of charge
Telephone
Satellite or cable television
Daily Maid Service
Safe
Coffee Maker
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Mini-Bar
Smoke Alarm in Rooms

Dining in Hilton Madagascar, Antananarivo

Hilton Madagascar in Antananarivo provides its guests with a restaurant that serves the most delectable dishes.
Business facilities in Hilton Madagascar, Antananarivo

Hilton Madagascar in Antananarivo provides for its business guests as well. There is a business center, which is suitable for hosting meetings, seminars and conferences. Guests can avail of the fax and photocopy machines. The audio-visual equipment is also very good.
Health and Recreational facilities in Hilton Madagascar, Antananarivo

If you are looking for recreational facilities in the hotel, you can step in to the heath club. After a rigorous workout, you can take a plunge into the hotel's outdoor swimming pool. There is also a swimming pool for children. Those who want to relax those tired bones, can step into the health spa or have a massage. You can also play tennis in the outdoor court or enjoy indoor games in the games room. Spend your evenings at the hotel's casino.
Other facilities in Hilton Madagascar, Antananarivo

The supplementary facilities that are offered by the hotel are:

Babysitting or Child Care
Shopping Mall or Area
Uniformed Security on Site
Multi-lingual Staff
Laundry Service
Laundry Room
Dry Cleaning Service
Car Rental Facility
ATM or Bank
Concierge Services
Gift Shop
Administrative Services
Barber or Hair Stylist
Currency Exchange Facility

If you have a pet, you can bring it along as pets are allowed to stay here. You are sure to enjoy your stay at Hilton Madagascar, Antananarivo. So, if you are looking for places for staying in Antananarivo, you can keep your worries to rest.

Madagascar Tourist Destinations For Joyful Holiday Trip

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Madagascar Tourist Destinations For Joyful Holiday Trip
Travel tips for your trip to Madagascar Hotel Maps Famous Places in Madagascar helps you to make your trip to Madagascar in the holiday a Splendid One

Madagascar or the Republic of Madagascar is one of the most favourite tourists’ destinations due to various attractive locations that are found here. She is an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa and is the forth largest in the world. The island holds an astonishing 20 million people who speak the Malagasy language as well as French though English is becoming more widely spoken. You can get here by Air Madagascar through the capital, Antananarivo or by private luxurious cruise ships through Toamasina.

Madagascar’s beautiful green land hosts quite a number of impressive national parks and nature reserves. In Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve, undisturbed forests, lakes and mangrove swamps are home to a variety of rare and endangered birds and lemurs. The Rocky landscapes and limestone uplands are fascinating with their large peaks with a mass of limestone needles. Don’t miss Ampefy, a volcanic region with spectacular waterfall and geysers or Perinet, a nature reserve that is home of the indri (a tail-less lemur) and many species of orchid. The rich fauna in Madagascar has greatly contributed to the ever rich landscape and the ever growing wild vegetation in the Ivolina Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens contains every kind of vegetable species from the eastern forests

The main centres of Nossi Be, Nossi Lava, Toliara and lle Ste-Marie offer beautiful white sand beaches and coral reefs. For those interested in deep sea diving, scuba diving centres are located on the north and west coasts. You can try waterskiing or sailing at Ambohibao (Lake Mantasoa), Antsiralse (on Andraikiba Lake) and Ramona. River- rafting can be done in the Highlands and on the East Coast. Another popular site worth your time is the capital’s national monument, the Queen’s Palace and associated Royal Village or Rova. Enter the threshold of the Ambohimanga, the birthplace of the Malagasy state. The citadel’s structure reveals her heritage as an important Merina stronghold. Enjoy the views in the Hauts Plateau, a chain of rugged, ravine-riven mountains that run from north to south down the centre. How about a glimpse at Madagascar’s second highest mountain, Tsiafajovona? It’s found in the country’s main industrial centre, Antsirabe. The town has a thermal spa and is surrounded by volcanic hills that are dotted with crater lakes.

Accommodation in Madagascar consists of an extensive hotel network especially in the capital Antananarivo, Nossi Be and Toamasina and also in Majunga, Ifaty and Tamatave. Recent developments have opened good-to medium standard accommodation as well as classified accommodation, group and youth lodging. Hotels range from 1 to 5 stars and a secondary system of ravinala (travelers’ palms) is used for more rustic accommodation.

If you love eating then Madagascar welcomes you. Madagascar cooking is based on a large serving of rice with a dressing of sauces, meat, vegetables and spicy seasoning. Many people here enjoy hot food and often serve dishes with hot peppers and many of the desserts are flavoured with vanilla. Local restaurants are often referred to as hotely. There are a few discos, sometimes with bands and solo musicians. Casinos can be found at Antananarivo, Toamasina and on Nossi Be. There are also cinemas and theatres, and touring theatre groups perform local plays throughout the country. Souvenirs vary from handicrafts made from traditional cloth and silverwork such as crosses and bracelets, jewellery made from shells and precious stones as well as items woven from reeds, raffia and straw.

Madagascar prides at her diverse culture and her isolation makes the island country a spectacular getaway for travelers.