Madagascar2023-10-26T13:33:50+02:00
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Travel tips for Madagascar

Top 5 Experiences

The second largest island state in the world has a unique, endemic flora and fauna. A richness in variety and originality inspire the visitors. The highlights of Madagascar include:

National Parks

Andasibe-Mantadia, Kirindy, Ranomafana, Isalo – these are just a few of the countless national parks on the island. Each park captivates with its mostly endemic flora and fauna and visitors are fascinated by rainforest, baobab, sifakas and much more.

Lemur & Co.

The unique, mostly endemic wildlife captivates everyone. Countless species of lemurs, such as indris and calicoes, as well as chameleons, geckos and turtles are just a few of the species living here. A diverse and colourful bird life is also part of Madagascar.

Tsingy

On Madagascar so-called Tsingy (rock needles) can be found. The best known are the Tsingy de Bemaraha in the west, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which can be explored via ferrata, among other routes. To the north are the Tsingy Rouge and Tsingy of Ankarana.

Beaches

With 4,800km of coastline, there are countless swimming opportunities. Among the most popular beaches on the main island are Anakoa, Ifaty, Morondava or Ramena. In addition, there are the offshore islands of Nosy Be, Nosy Bohara or the former pirate island of Sainte Marie.

Cultural Heritage

The manageable number of tourists allows up-close insights into the life of the locals. For example, during a village visit on a pirogue ride on the Pangalanes Canal or on a ride with the „Train of Life“ through tea plantations and rainforest.

Tourist infrastructure

International arrivals in Madagascar are either in the capital Antananarivo or on the offshore island of Nosy Be. The tourist infrastructure is still being developed, also the road network is to be improved. Today, only about one tenth of the roads are asphalted; most of the time, one drives on sandy paths or muddy tracks. Due to the large distances in the country, traveling is, therefore, often time-consuming.

The choice of accommodations has been improved in recent years, and it is possible to find accommodations for different needs at all tourist highlights.

Climate and travel season

The climate in Madagascar is tropical and is divided into a hot, rainy season and a cool, dry season. In addition, there are several climate zones due to the different altitudes in the country. While the mountainous east is mostly humid, the flat west has a drier climate. In the central highlands one will find a moderate climate.

The seasons in Madagascar are opposite to Europe. Summer extends from October to March, with October to December being the hottest months. April to May are also relatively warm, after which it cools down for two months. From the middle of August it gets warmer again. The exact temperatures vary between the different climate zones.

The best time to travel depends therefore on the region, only the monsoon season (December to March) is less recommended.

Visa and entry

Citizens of Germany, Austria and Switzerland need a passport valid for at least six months and a visa to enter Madagascar. The tourist visa is issued on arrival at all international airports.

Since the regulations can change at any time, all information are non-binding and without guarantee. Please observe the visa regulations and the current information of the Federal Foreign Office / Federal Ministry European and International Affairs / Federal Department of Foreign Affaires at all times.

Impressions from Madagascar

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Stories

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General updates

Federal Foreign Office (GER) ➝

Federal Ministry European and
International Affairs (GER) ➝

Federal Department of
Foreign Affairs (GER) ➝

Information of the
Tourism Board ➝

Country Information

Current accessibility

  • Information on entry:

    From November 6, 2021, air traffic between Madagascar and Europe will resume. Thus, the borders of Madagascar will be reopened for tourists and entry via the international airports Antananarivo and Nosy-Be Hell Ville is basically possible if the traveller is arriving from a country on the green list. Entry from a risk area on the red list is not permitted, neither directly nor via transit countries. The countries that have more than 300 corona cases per 100,000 inhabitants per week are noted on the red list. Since this factor is dynamic, the assessment and listing of Germany, Austria and Switzerland can change at any time. In general, entry is only permitted if a negative PCR test result, which must not be older than 72 hours, is presented. Upon arrival, travelers must be tested again at their own expense for around € 25 at the airport. After that, there is an obligation to quarantine in a designated quarantine hotel with arrival in an approved shuttle at one‘s own expense. After receiving the result by SMS, the quarantine can then be ended if the result is negative, this takes about 24-48 hours. A questionnaire to track the journey of the stay in Madagascar must be completed by the traveler when the quarantine is over. The PCR test is also compulsory for domestic flights, and an additional, free quick test is carried out three hours before departure. The rules also apply to those who have been vaccinated.

  • Information on return:

    Since March 30, 2021, all travellers, no matter from which country they are coming and which means of transportation they use, must present a negative PCR or PoC test, a proof of complete vaccination, for instance the digital Covid-Certificate from the EU (Green Pass), or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection, which was completed at least 28 days ago and is maximum 6 months old, before entering the Federal Republic of Germany. The PCR test must be performed at the earliest 72 hours and the PoC-test 48 hours before the start of the return journey. In addition, travellers must register their entry at the entry portal www.einreiseanmeldung.de➝ before arriving in Germany and carry proof of the corresponding registration with them. For stays in high risk areas classified by the RKI➝ there is a 10-day quarantine obligation. The quarantine can solely be prevented when a proof of complete vaccination or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection, which was completed at least 28 days ago and is maximum 6 months old, was submitted on the entry portal. After five days at the earliest, travellers who are not vaccinated or did not recover from a Covid-19 infection can undergo a Covid-19 test. With a subsequent negative result, the quarantine obligation can be ended early. For stays in virus mutation areas a negative PCR-test, which must be performed at the earliest 72 hours before entering, needs to be shown before return and a fourteen-day quarantine must to be entered without possibility to shorten it.

    All travellers older than 12 years, must present a negative PCR or PoC test, a proof of complete vaccination, for instance the digital Covid-Certificate from the EU (Green Pass), or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection before entering Austria. The PCR-test must be performed at the earliest 72 hours and the PoC-test 48 hours before the start of the return journey. Since January 15, 2021, travellers must register their entry here ➝ („Pre-Travel-Clearance“) before arrival. With the above mentioned certifications a quarantine can be fully prevented when entering from a country classified as safe. The certifications can be handed in 24 hours later if no hotel stay is planned. For vaccinated people arriving from countries not classified as safe or from virus mutations areas the quarantine does not apply neither. Non-vaccinated people however need to present a negative Covid-test or a proof of recovery as well as enter a 10-day quarantine. After five days at the earliest, travellers can undergo a Covid-19 test. With a subsequent negative result, the quarantine obligation can be ended early.

    All air as well as transit passengers who are not fully vaccinated or did not surpass a Covid-19 infection within the past 6 months must register their entry on www.swissplf.admin.ch before or during arrival in Switzerland and need to carry the generated QR-code with them. Air passengers older than 16 years must present a negative PCR or PoC test, a proof of complete vaccination, for instance the digital Covid-Certificate from the EU (Green Pass), or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection before entering. The PCR-test must be performed at the earliest 72 hours and the PoC-test 48 hours before the start of the return journey. Air as well as transit passengers who are not fully vaccinated or did not surpass a Covid-19 infection as well need to enter a 10-day quarantine and present a PCR-test. In addition, they need to inform their corresponding cantonal authority latest within two days after arrival. After seven days at the earliest, travellers can undergo a Covid-19 test. With a subsequent negative result, the quarantine obligation can be ended early. The obligation to test or enter quarantine does not apply to fully vaccinated people who can present a certificate such as the EU Digital Certificate or a Swiss Covid certificate.

Für Einreisende in die Bundesrepublik Deutschland, die sich in den letzten 10 Tagen vor Einreise in einem Risikogebiet aufgehalten haben, besteht seit dem 08. November 2020 die Pflicht, sich unverzüglich in eine zehntägige Quarantäne zu begeben. Darüber hinaus müssen Reisende vor ihrer Ankunft in Deutschland ihre Einreise unter https://www.einreiseanmeldung.de ➝ anmelden und den Nachweis über die entsprechende Anmeldung mit sich führen. Nach frühestens fünf Tagen können sich die Reiserückkehrer Covid-19 Test unterziehen. Mit einem anschließenden Negativergebnis kann die Quarantänepflicht frühzeitig beendet werden.

ACHTUNG: Wer sich in den letzten 10 Tagen vor Einreise in Deutschland in einem Hochinzidenz-Gebiet oder einem Virusvarianten-Gebiet aufgehalten hat, muss bereits bei Einreise einen ärztlichen Nachweis oder ein negatives Testergebnis bei sich tragen und diesen bei Aufforderung der zuständigen Behörden vorlegen können. Der Test darf nicht älter als 48 Stunden vor Einreise sein. Darüber hinaus ist das negative Testergebnis auch vor Antritt der Rückreise dem entsprechenden Beförderer vorzulegen. Sollte es den Einreisenden aus etwaigen Gründen in einem Hochinzidenzgebiet oder einem Virusvarianten-Gebiet nicht möglich sein, sich vor Abreise testen zu lassen, können die entsprechenden Beförderer vor Abreise einen Schnelltest durchführen und bei Negativergebnis die Beförderung vornehmen. Der Beförderer darf den Test maximal 12 Stunden vor Abreise durchführen. Dieser Test muss den Anforderungen des RKI entsprechen: https://www.rki.de/tests ➝

Covid-19

Corona precautionary measures

  • Restrictions in the country:

    In Madagascar, a minimum distance of 1.5 m must be maintained across the country. Moving around with intercity buses and public transport (buses and taxis) in the capital is almost entirely possible again. Shops, restaurants and bars are open to a limited extent, there may not be more than 400 people in one room.

  • Mouth and nose protection:

    Throughout the country, masks are strictly compulsory, both in public areas and in the open air. Violations of the hygiene regulations are subject to heavy fines

  • Hygiene measures in the country:

    The Malagasy government, together with experts from the tourism industry, has created a health program (PDF) that is mandatory for all tourism stakeholders. This program ensures the safety and health of all visitors.

Status: 05.11.2021

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