You will come to Nosy Be with us
Here is some information to help you plan your trip.
FORMALITIES
For most travellers, the passport is mandatory and must be valid for at least six months after your return. This information is given for information purposes only and may change, we recommend that you check with the embassies of Madagascar in your home country
A tourist visa is required to enter Madagascar. It can be obtained directly from Antananarivo and Nosy Be airports. Price: It is 31€ for less than 30 days and 31 days to 60 days is 39€ and 61 days to 90 days is 54€.
Some consulates still continue to issue visas (which would save you time on arrival), so it is advisable to call the embassy or consulate for the latest formalities.
HEALTH
No vaccination is required. Anti-malarial treatment strongly recommended (ask your doctor (he will judge) the Doxy 100 which is well supported and reimbursed). If you are undergoing treatment, make sure you have enough medication in stock for the duration of the trip. You might not find them on the spot, or you might find drugs that treat the same causes but have different compositions. Whether in restaurants or on boats, hygienic conditions are respected, however, climate change, lifestyle and food can lead to intestinal disorders in some people, which must be treated as soon as the first symptoms appear.
We advise you to bring a small personal pharmacy. Think about sunscreen and mosquito repellents that you should remember to apply regularly.
CUSTOMS
Personal effects, photographic and optical equipment are free of all customs duties, as well as photographic film and video cassettes in reasonable quantities. For security, bring invoices for large equipment. Export ban: turtle shells, some shells (exact list to be checked with Embassies).
YOUR LIABILITY
The baggage allowance is 30 kg on Air Madagascar, 25 kg on Air Austral (+20 kg for divers upon request in advance) With a 20 kg deductible on domestic routes and 30 kg on an Air Madagascar international flight continuity. You can also bring a small piece of hand luggage that you will keep with you in the cabin (40 x 55 x 20 cm) and a maximum weight of 5 kg.
RECOMMENDATIONS
During your stay, valuables should never be left in the suitcase or travel bag, even if locked, or left in the room. Hotels provide safes for you, we strongly advise you to deposit your valuables (money, credit cards, passport…) Avoid however to take with you valuable jewellery.
LOCAL CURRENCY
Currency is available in Ariary
The conversion method is simple: 1 € +/- 3,500 Ariary. To check the course varies every day
The main banknotes are 100, 200, 500, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 Ariary.
Concerning the exchange rate: 1 € fleet between 2,800 and 3,600 Ariary. To know the current price, it is best to ask the banks and consult the press. There is a difference in rates between the capital and the province.
YOUR MONEY
Traveller’s cheques are changed by most banks. Some Malagasy banks take a commission for the exchange of traveller cheques, the BNI does not take any. Traveller’s cheques have the advantage of being insured in the event of theft or loss.
The Visa credit card is not very usable except at banks and some hotels. Please note that you may be asked for an additional commission of 6 to 8% for your credit card payments. Money can easily be withdrawn from banks at ATMs in all major cities with the Visa card at the BFV or BNI bank. Be careful, the Mastercard only works in one bank and not always very well.
You should know that lately, credit cards have been working very badly.
TIME DIFFERENCE
In the austral summer, a 2-hours delay with France.
In austral winter, 1 hour delay with France.
1 hour with Reunion Island all year round.
ELECTRIC CURRENT
220-230 volts power supply throughout the island. The sockets do not require an adaptor. On boats there is a way to charge with 220 V, on NF plugs (French standard), but only with fast charging (2 to 3 hours per day), or with 12 volts.
CLIMATE
Madagascar is crossed to the south by the Tropic of Capricorn. As in the entire southern hemisphere, there are two seasons that are reversed compared to those of the northern hemisphere.
The austral summer: from November to March. It is also called the “rainy season”. Rainfall is very abundant, but most often it is short and the sun recovers its rights. From December to mid-March, cyclones can reach our coasts and disrupt the entire climate.
The southern winter: from April to October. It is the “dry season”. Which doesn’t mean you can’t have a little rain once in a while.
CLOTHES
Take clothes adapted to warm and seaside countries, but bring a sweatshirt, or a sweater for a certain cool evening in July, August. Antananarivo is 1200 m high, and it can be cold in the southern winter.
FOOD AND BEVERAGES
Madagascar offers excellent cuisine. The country is full of good fresh produce, meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables.
Tap water is not drinkable, so it is advisable to drink mineral water.
You will be sold various cold drinks on the boat (water, coke, beer, soda…). However, the rum served in the evening is free. Malagasy wines are not exceptional, but you can now find good wines from South Africa or Chile at affordable prices, but if you still have a small place in your luggage, you can always bring a good bottle.
YOUR PURCHASES
Gold objects, precious and semi-precious stones, basketry, sculptures….
TIPS
At Nosy Be airport, it is customary to give €1 per piece of luggage to carriers. It is also customary to give a bonus to seafarers, of course according to the satisfaction of the services rendered.
PARK ENTRANCE FEES
For the visit of some of Nosy Be’s parks, you will be asked to participate.
To know:
Lokobe: 3,000 Ariary per person
Nosy Komba: 2,000 Ariary per person
Cascade 2,000 Ariary per person
Tanikely marine reserve 20,000 Ariary
Antsoa: lemur island, 10,000 Ariary
INFORMATION
In FRANCE :
Embassy of the Republic of Madagascar
4, avenue Raphaël
75016 PARIS
Tel: +33 1 45 04 62 11
Honorary Consulates of the Republic of Madagascar:
– 234, boulevard Périer – 13008 MARSEILLE – Phone: +33 4 91 15 16 91
– 26, boulevard Eugène Réguillon – 69100 VILLEURBANNE – Phone: +33 4 72 33 33 63 98
– 38, rue Alphonse Tourres – 76071 LE HAVRE – Phone: +33 2 35 55 55 28 99
– 21, rue Michelet – 42000 SAINT ETIENNE – Phone: +33 4 77 32 32 66 63
We wish you a pleasant journey