How to Travel Around Madagascar

The first step in planning a trip to Madagascar is deciding where to go. Your tour can begin at Antsiranana, known for being home to the lemur, and take you through the pristine rainforest of the Amber Mountains. This area is teeming with wildlife and cascading waterfalls, and the limestone ‘tsingy’ rocks provide a spectacular backdrop. The second step of your Madagascar trip is to visit the capital city of Antsiranana, which is a vibrant, modern city.

Safety in Madagascar

Although the island nation is a paradise of coral reefs, mountains, and lush forests, there are still many dangers to consider when travelling in Madagascar. Political instability in the country has plagued the island since the 1960s, and there is a good reason for this. Andry Rajoelina, the new President of Madagascar, ousted his predecessor Marc Ravalomanana in 2009.

The majority of the population in Madagascar does not have access to electricity, but there are hotels that provide power for guests. However, in remote areas, power is available from 6pm to midnight only. Make sure to charge your electronics at least once per day, and carry an adapter to use in your car. Despite the safety of Madagascar, it is important to always remain aware of your surroundings and avoid wandering alone at night or on National Routes.

While crime rates in Madagascar are low, there is the potential for political instability and a high risk of muggings. Travelers should avoid certain areas, such as Batterie Beach north of Toliara, unless they have a very high level of confidence. COVID-19 prevention measures may still be in effect in some areas, but travelers should be aware of their surroundings. In some areas, such as in the countryside, violence has resulted in kidnappings and assaults.

Off-road driving in Madagascar

Off-road driving in Madagascar is an incredible way to experience the island’s diversity of flora and fauna. It’s a challenging experience that will have you tackling a variety of trails as you drive through spectacular scenery. You’ll also see exotic wildlife and marvel at the country’s spectacular roads. Whether you prefer to drive a Jeep or a Land Rover, off-roading in Madagascar is a wonderful way to explore the island. Once you arrive in the country, your tour guide will pick you up and drive you to your hotel. Afterward, you can relax in the comfort of your hotel before your tour begins.

Off-road driving in Madagascar is a unique experience that you won’t soon forget. Located in the eastern part of the island, Route Nationale 5 offers a variety of challenging 4×4 tracks. In fact, it is said to be the most challenging road in Madagascar, so it’s a must-drive experience for any avid driver. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can head to Morondava to test your skills on one of the most spectacular 4×4 tracks in the world.

Getting your car rented in the capital is an easy task, but you can also rent a car in any city if you’d like to go off-road in Madagascar. Although you can drive yourself, you should bring your European or American drivers license as you will always be liable for accidents. If you’re unfamiliar with the driving laws in Madagascar, be prepared to face some harrowing challenges. However, the rewards of off-roading Madagascar will be immense. Most of the country’s treasures are located outside the capital, making it an exciting adventure.

Street food

When traveling around Madagascar, don’t forget to sample the local street food. Despite the abundance of local fruits and nuts, the country’s poor sanitation and health standards make eating local food a dangerous proposition. Be prepared to experience bouts of nausea and diarrhea. Many food vendors in Madagascar do not have refrigeration facilities, and foods are cooked in large batches and served until they are all gone. Luckily, most towns have ATMs, which can be used to exchange local money.

If you are visiting Antsirabe, a small town in the highlands of Madagascar, you may be tempted to try some of the country’s famous fried dishes. In this town, women sit on wooden stools next to glistening pots of oil and fan the flames. They then plop the fried goods into mountainous piles of steaming fresh snacks. Throughout the town, you’ll see women balancing plastic containers on top of their heads, slathering street grub in small containers. You can expect to find a wide variety of fried chicken, samosas, banana fritters, and more.

If you don’t mind being a vegetarian for a while, there are a number of restaurants offering both local Malagasy dishes and French fare. The French-influenced restaurants in the capital city, Antananarivo, are the best bets for fine dining. Restaurants such as KUDeTA and La Rhum Riz are excellent places to sample Malagasy cuisine. Don’t forget to try the local zebu meat, which is grilled and stewed for hours to make it tender and delicious. Whether you want to indulge in fried rice or noodles with vegetables, you’ll be able to find the perfect dish.

Avoiding dirty crockery

While traveling in Madagascar, there are some precautions that you should take to avoid using dirty crockery. It is not always possible to get a hold of clean crockery, so it is important to be cautious when using them. Some people buy water bottled, but it’s still best to keep bottled water in your suitcase or carry it yourself. You can also buy water neutralising tablets to make sure the water you drink is free from bad taste and smell. In addition to that, you should never give any water to children. In Madagascar, children are everywhere, so you need to take extra care with what you serve.

When you eat food from street vendors, make sure it is freshly cooked. You may find that the streets are filled with stalls selling grilled meat. Be careful of what you eat, though, as you don’t want to get sick. Besides, you don’t want to eat anything that hasn’t been freshly cooked. If you’re worried about getting sick, avoid street food altogether.

The first rule of traveling to Madagascar is to seek professional advice if you have children. Madagascar is an underdeveloped country, and there are a number of health issues, so it’s important to seek medical advice. If you’re traveling with children, you should check with your doctor about vaccinations. You should also be aware of the risk of getting infectious diseases while in Madagascar, such as cholera and tuberculosis. This is because outbreaks can occur without warning.

Drinking from a tap

You may be tempted to drink the water that comes out of a tap while traveling around Madagascar. However, you should know that drinking the water here is incredibly risky. You’ll be better off taking your medicines from home than risk catching a cold or even worse, becoming sick. Tap water in Madagascar is tainted, so even the ice in your drink can make you sick.

While it is possible to find bottled water in the country, you should avoid drinking from the tap, especially in the “Southern Triangle” region, which has poor road conditions. Visiting this region at night is not recommended, and be careful with your belongings. Be aware that local mosquitoes can carry dangerous diseases, including malaria. In case of malaria, it is always a good idea to consult a doctor before traveling to Madagascar.

Malagasy is the official language, although English is spoken by some people. While it is not advisable to drink from the tap while traveling around Madagascar, most hotels provide water for guests. Besides avoiding ice in drinks, you should peel fruits before eating. You should also avoid consuming water that contains a lot of salt or sugar. Moreover, you should never drink tap water while traveling in Madagascar.

Getting a taxi

There are two main types of Madagascar taxis: the bush taxi and the cab-brousse. Although the latter is more comfortable and has air-conditioning, the former is often noisy and cramped. A taxi-brousse is also known as a minibus, and is considerably cheaper than a taxi-be. Licensed taxis are beige in color, and are accompanied by a driver.

While Madagascar has over 1000 km of railways, most of them are still used for cargo transportation, and there are no passenger trains. Even though the country has a railroad, most cities lack it, making public transportation difficult and time-consuming. Cyclo-pousses, which run on bicycles, are another option for transporting luggage between cities. Drivers will usually charge Ar 5000 or less for the journey, and are much faster than cars in major cities.

The Taxi Be is another option for those who don’t want to hire a car. This type of taxi is usually the cheapest option, as it doesn’t follow a regular timetable and only leaves when it’s full. A taxi brousse, on the other hand, is much cheaper than a 4X4 or chartered vehicle, and will allow you to interact with the locals. While most cities have taxi brousse stations, it’s worth noting that Ranohira, the gateway to the Isalo National Park, is also one of the largest.

Most cities have taxis, whose roofs are covered with a green logo. Most taxis-brousse do not have meters, and their rates depend on the destination and the time of day. A taxi ride in Madagascar can take several hours, but it’s one of the only ways to reach isolated areas. Using a car hire is a great option because you can split the costs with your traveling companion.