Travel to Madagascar on your own. When is the best time to go to Madagascar

There are no well-defined rainy seasons in Madagascar. In its different regions, the weather and climate are very different at the same time of the year. There is a high season in Madagascar, no less, and it is associated with a period when there is really less rain. This season runs from May to October.

Most rainfall occurs in the winter months. So the low season in Madagascar you will find from December to March. We can say that in accordance with the nature and position of the island, it is summer here. Swimming may not be very comfortable, but not at all because of the coolness of the water.

The temperature of coastal waters at this time reaches + 30 ° C. But it is at this time that hurricanes happen, and the excitement of the ocean interferes with rest. And also showers that increase humidity. Blurred roads and dangerous insects only make matters worse.

But this is exactly the time when it is best to fly to Madagascar. Airlines and hotels are cutting costs. However, when deciding when is the best time to relax in Madagascar, do not abandon the "winter" holiday ideas. Lush festivities are popular here, which means that you will find many festivals where you can see ancient customs and traditions.

For a beach and sightseeing holiday it is more convenient to go here in the summer. However, when it is better to go to Madagascar, you decide, TRIPMYDREAM will help you choose the perfect tour at any time of the year.

Holidays in Madagascar in winter

It is during the winter period that the number of guests on the island decreases. It's hot, humid and windy here. It rains almost every day, although it is difficult to distinguish the season, since rainy days also occur in summer. But the weather in Madagascar in winter does not allow you to comfortably walk or swim. This is a bad time for diving and surfing, the ocean water is muddy, sharks swim close to the shores. Most of them are in December and January. So, for the sake of this, we even made a separate tour with the observation of these terrible predators. There are also festivals in winter. So, December 30 is the anniversary of the republic, formed in 1975. You can go to Antananarivo, Tuamasina and other major cities in the country. Of the seaside resorts, we can only recommend Nosy-Be, where the tourism infrastructure is best developed.

Holidays in Madagascar in the spring

Spring is the time for festivals. In early March, you can celebrate the Malagasy New Year with the Alahamandi festivals. At the end of March, Heroes' Day is celebrated here. There are many food festivals in May. Musical festivities take place at the end of spring. The weather in Madagascar is hot in spring, as it is all year round. It's getting a little cooler. In the southern regions, during the day + 30 ° C, in Antananarivo, which is located in the mountains, about + 26 ° C, in the west of the country, about + 32 ° C. It can get chilly here in the evening, especially in the center of the country, where the temperature drops to + 10 ° C. March, like January and February, is considered the most unfavorable month to visit.

Holidays in Madagascar in the summer

Despite the fact that it is winter in Madagascar in summer, it is Madagascar winter that becomes the ideal summer for us. Here is such a feature of this island. The weather in Madagascar in summer is warm and dry. There is almost no rain. During the day + 21 ° C in the center of the island, + 28 ° C in the west. It rains occasionally, but they are short-lived, drizzling and more refreshing than cold. Visit the Nosy-Be resort, here in the summer and at night at least + 20 ° C. And in the daytime above + 30 ° C, but the coolness coming from the sea and forests saves. You can safely go to the island of Nosy Buraha, or Ile Sainte Marie, where there are also good sea resorts. Morondava, the village of Ifati, other sea and balneological resorts in the country are ideal for visiting during this period.

Safety regulations

The crime rate in Antananarivo is relatively low, but there are certain security problems in the capital - you should not take a lot of money with you and leave valuable things unattended. It is recommended to go sightseeing with a guide or as part of a group. In the provinces, the security situation is somewhat simpler, but even there the advice of the accompanying local people should be followed in all cases.

In Madagascar, women are usually accompanied by a sister, brother or friends. A lonely woman, in the minds of a local resident, clearly belongs to the representatives of one of the most ancient professions with which everyone can get acquainted. Prostitution, especially in tourist areas, is quite common, but the level of sexually transmitted diseases is very high.

Swimming in the ocean without risk is possible only in lagoons and in areas protected by coral reefs. In other places, sharks are constantly found, and dangerous reptiles are found in river estuaries and in mangrove forests. In areas of rain forests, mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects pose a certain danger. Malaria is prevalent across most of the country's east coast, with some areas of malaria that are resistant to bigumal, hingamine, and other traditional drugs. It is therefore recommended that you start taking your antimalarial drugs before leaving and continue for several weeks after you return. In freshwater reservoirs with low-flowing or stagnant water, leeches are found (there are many of them in rain forests) and pathogens of various diseases, so you can swim only in specially designated places.

Money

Until now, there is a certain confusion in the country's monetary system - in the course of notes of different types and issues, often come across that have not come into use, "ariari", and the price tags often indicate both. To travel to the inner provinces of the country, it is recommended to stock up on francs in small bills, since the standard of living of the population is extremely low and it is unrealistic to exchange large bills. And at the same time, many prices are indicated in thousands of francs, so the concept of "small bill" changes every year.

Price level

Bargaining is accepted almost everywhere, but Malagasy themselves usually do not bargain. Sellers rarely cheat or cheat when they see a foreigner, so prices are more or less weighted everywhere, and the discount is formed based on the seller's personal inclination to this type of trade.

Shopping

When buying emeralds, processed, cut and polished stones, ready for jewelry purposes, you should definitely take a certificate from the seller, which will be required at customs. All products from representatives of Malagasy flora and fauna (including dried flowers) also require export certificates for export, which must be obtained at the time of purchase. It should be borne in mind that the overwhelming majority of souvenirs of this kind sold in markets and souvenir shops are made illegally and therefore do not have any certificates for export from the country, and the tourist who bought them may be subject to a rather large fine.

Tip

Although tips are not practiced in many establishments, it is still better to give them in local currency and whenever possible, since the level of salaries of service workers is extremely low. In restaurants and hotels in the capital and Nosy Be, tips are 10% of the total order value and are automatically added to the invoice.

Hotels

The system of designating the level of hotels in Madagascar is similar to the generally accepted one - all hotels are divided into categories from 1 to 5 "stars", but the hierarchy is somewhat strange - many "five-star" hotels in terms of service level are equivalent to the international standard of "three-star". For unpretentious tourists, there is a system of inexpensive hotels "ravinalu", similar to campgrounds in the international classification. High-level hotels in Madagascar have two types of rates: one for local citizens, and the other - a higher one for foreigners (payment is charged in foreign currency).

Clothing and appearance

Malagasy people are extremely hospitable and welcoming to tourists, and without the ingratiating and humiliating begging so common in African countries. There are no restrictions on the form of dress here, except for quite reasonable requirements with its modesty when visiting cult places. It is not recommended to wear military-style clothing - this is not accepted and may even lead to detention by the police.

Traditions

When visiting any Malagasy house or ceremony, it is recommended to make small offerings (usually a bottle of rum, cigarettes or some kind of food), especially when visiting the necropolises (you cannot give money !!). Many local taboos ("fadi") should also be treated with respect, but since they are different in different regions of the country, this is quite difficult. It is recommended to heed the advice of the guides and guides.

An invitation to attend the ancestral spirits commemoration ceremony is considered a great honor and should not be refused (although the offerings in this case increase). In the traditional beliefs of the locals, each lake and tree has its own importance and power. Remembrance of the ancestral spirits ("razana") is a separate characteristic feature of local beliefs, according to local beliefs, "razana" have access to the higher stages of life, are sources of wisdom and protect the living. Therefore, necropolises, as well as "holy places" where the souls of ancestors may dwell, are often also prohibited for visiting by foreigners. It is forbidden to fish, smoke, eat pork on the shores of the sacred lakes, and women are prohibited from walking in trousers. Nevertheless, a woman in Malagasy society enjoys equal rights with a man, even some features of matriarchy are preserved.

Getting around the country

Slowness is also a characteristic feature of the locals. Public transport, for example, will not move until the cabin is full - regardless of the schedule or how long it takes. A meeting or event scheduled for a specific hour will most likely start half an hour or an hour later than planned, and the order in a restaurant will be fulfilled with a long delay. Also, directions are indicated in a rather peculiar way - no one will say "turn left", most likely the direction will be indicated on the side of the world - "turn north-east".

Language

While the Malagasy officially use a single language and culture, the nation is divided into 18 fairly independent tribes, whose territorial boundaries are formed by the borders of the old kingdoms, and not by ethnic areas. Most Malagasy people are quite jealous of interethnic differences, but they never show this in everyday life, especially when dealing with foreigners. Sharp interethnic conflicts in the country are absent as a class. The recognized ethnic leader is the "royal people" gelina - the inhabitants of the central part of the island.

Climate

In summer, as in all tropical countries, darkness comes early enough - by 18.30 it is usually already dark.

Food

All water should be considered potentially hazardous to health. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice must be boiled. Milk and dairy products must also be pasteurized. You should only eat well-done meat and fish products. Pork, salads, and mayonnaise can also be hazardous to your health. Vegetables must undergo mandatory heat treatment, and the fruits must be washed and peeled.

Prohibitions

A pass is required to visit the reserves. Any form of logging, hunting or fishing is prohibited in the country's reserves.

Photo and video filming

Military and police establishments should not be photographed.

Electricity

Mains voltage 110-220 V., 50 Hz. (often "floats"), two-pin sockets.

Many people wishing to travel to Madagascar complain about the long journeys and the high cost of the trip. So now the most budgetary trip to Madagascar has appeared on the Russian-speaking Internet, a sort of Lite Trip with relatively short journeys and the cheapest possible! We will drive east from Antananarivo - where the real rainforests of Madagascar with their amazing inhabitants are still preserved. Lemurs - yes, there will be every day, but they are not the only ones waiting for us: chameleons, bright frogs, exotic birds ... But, of course, they will prevail - lemurs. So I invite you to oLEMURITS!

The trip will take place in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle.

Detailed program

Day of arrival in Tanu (capital of Madagascar) in the morning until 12 noon. If you arrive later, then see the arrival a day earlier, on November 9th! Money exchange at the airport exchange office (further along the route, the rate is much lower). Transfer to the hotel in the city.

Departure early in the morning and transfer to Palmarium: 5-6 hours by car, 1.5 hours by boat.

Upon arrival at Palmarium, accommodation in comfortable bungalows in the forest by the lake. Several species of lemurs, chameleons, felzums, butterflies live on the territory of the guesthouse ...

Rest after moving. The dive into the jungle of Madagascar begins ...

Palmarium ... In this unique place, lemurs are not afraid of people and let them come close to them.

In the morning we go on an excursion with a local guide, and in the afternoon you can swim in the lake or walk and watch lemurs on your own. Well, at night we will see the most "beautiful creature" of Madagascar - the mysterious local "Cheburashka" - aye aye ...

Meeting this unique animal will be one of the most memorable moments of your trip!

In the morning we move from Palmarium to Andasibe (1.5 hours by boat and 4 hours by car). We are accommodated in a guesthouse on the edge of the rainforest. In the evening we go on an excursion to the forest in the Mitsinjo National Park. Several species of night lemurs, frogs, sleeping chameleons are waiting for us ...

Morning excursion to the forest in Analamazaotra National Park: watch and listen in the natural habitat of Madagascar's largest lemurs: the indri.

Then we go to the island of lemurs Lakona Lodge, where you can take a picture with lemurs hugging!

Evening excursion to Mahay Mitia Ala forest.

Full day excursion to Mantadia Park. Our main target is there: small colored frogs Mantella and several species of interesting birds.

Free time in the evening, rest.

Transfer from Andasibe to Iwato Airport (5 hours). On the way, we will stop at an amazing reptile park, where we will see a dozen species of chameleons, amazing uroplatuses, exotic frogs, tenrecs and much more! Departure in the afternoon, after 14:00.

Departure can also be the next day, November 17, in this case, the hotel from 16 to 17 programs is not paid.

Weather

We are driving at the beginning of the rainy season, so there is little chance of rain in Andasib. But at this time there are more interesting animals and lower prices.

Visa

The visa is obtained upon arrival and costs 35 euros or 37 dollars.

Organization of the trip

You can read the basic principles of organizing a trip. The system of discounts for this program does not work (except for Birthday in the trip - 5% discount)!

Group enrollment closes 15 days before the start of the trip.

Residence

We will live in comfortable hotels and guesthouses without breakfast, with Wi-Fi (except for Palmarium) and hot water for two people. Single occupancy is also possible for an additional fee.

Food

We will eat 2 times a day in local canteens, cafes and restaurants. Breakfasts in hotels are included. With food in Madagascar in tourist places, everything is fine, the influence of French cuisine affects.

Number of participants

Minimum - 2 people. The maximum is 9.

Note 1

Despite the fact that this is a budget trip to Madagascar, the living conditions will be quite comfortable, with everything you need.

Note 2

If you are interested in other dates, only a part of the route, extension of the trip, then also contact us - I will adjust, add or completely change the route for you.

Note 3

This trip is combined with the program "" into a long three-week route.

Note 4

At the end of this trip, it is possible to organize a holiday on the island of Nosy Be or Santa Maria.

The cost

Tour cost per person:

- with DBL (double) placement - 700 euros per person
- for SGL (single) placement - 850 euros per person

(payment upon arrival on the island of Madagascar)

Attention, this program is not subject to the discount system described in. The program is already extremely budgetary, there are simply no cheaper offers in runet!

INCLUDED in the price:

• Accommodation in comfortable hotels and guesthouses along the entire route

• Boat to (from) Palmarium

• Air-conditioned car rental with driver for the whole tour, fuel and parking

• Breakfast at hotels

• Entrance fees to all national parks and all attractions along the route

• Transfers from and to the airport (if the dates coincide with the travel dates)

• Russian-speaking guide services in my person

• Help in finding and buying air tickets

• Assistance in planning your further holiday in Borneo (if you decide to stay there after the main part of the program)

NOT INCLUDED and paid separately:

• Flight to Antananarivo and back. Tickets are purchased independently, but only after agreement with the guide!

Interview hero

I want ultimately benefit the world I can survive in any unfamiliar country What is boiling not much at all, I am very poor at expressing anger I never renounce

Madagascar is a country where many dream to go, but few go. We will try to find out how they live in Madagascar, how the locals receive tourists and what is the price of a dream.

Arrivo: Katya, let's talk about the trip to Madagascar. How did you come to the idea of \u200b\u200bgoing to this distant land?

K: It was a spontaneous and reckless idea that is spoken out loud as a joke. My childhood friend Masha suggested the trip. When she voiced it for the first time, I replied something like: "You're out of your mind."

But the soul at that moment demanded recklessness, sharpness, dizziness. It only remained to agree.

Did you watch the cartoon "Madagascar" before the trip?

I watched for a very long time and for some reason he did not inspire me to travel.

Once on the radio I heard Zemfira's song "Anatananarivo". "Come on to Antananarivo, there are tan shoulders boogie and beer, romance and surfing and ocean."

Imagine my surprise when later next to Antananarivo I did not find either the ocean or the surfers.

Madagascar seems distant and inaccessible to me. Were there any difficulties in preparing for the trip?

Difficulties always come when you go to an unfamiliar country for the first time. Finding a guide was an important point for us. Without it, for example, they won't be able to rent a car.

We found Eric Rado on the forum, it turned out that there was no need to worry about anything further. So we went to Madagascar in complete confidence towards the unknown.

Antananarivo, baobab alley, waterfalls, lemurs, beaches - what did you see?

We spent only 5 days in Madagascar, which is too little for this country. If you are planning a trip there, take at least two weeks. For example, to see the alley with baobabs from Antananarivo, you need to go by car for about 12 hours one way.

Therefore, our route was in the vicinity: Antananarivo - Ambositra - Antsirabe - Andasibe - Antananarivo.

The locals call Antananarivo in short: Tana. In Tanya, we visited the markets, tasted rum, drummed on djemba, examined the palace of the ancient kings - Ambukhimanga.

Ambositra is a craft village, very touristy. There we visited workshops where artisans make wooden boxes, paintings, musical instruments. In our presence the master warmed up a cow's horn and made a bird out of it with a hammer!

In Antsirabe, rickshaws are considered a local attraction. They are called pus-pus (from distorted English push-push) and have brightly colored carriages. It was a very strange walk. Our rickshaw, a wiry man, sportingly dressed, ran barefoot on the asphalt. The first feeling that gripped me was shame, injustice, pity. Rickshaws have worked for generations, most often at the beginning of their careers - they rent a carriage. A few years later, they buy it out and rent it out. If you have your own carriage, you can no longer work.

If you have your own carriage, you can no longer work.

Andasibe is famous for its parks with lemurs. There is a rain forest with the largest lemurs of Madagakar - indri-indri, they sit in the trees, they do not go down to people, only their butts from the trees are visible. Nearby there is a park with tame lemurs, they jump from trees onto their shoulders and heads, beg for bananas, sometimes take them out of bags or scratch them out of their hands (keep your hands open).

There is also a lemurian island with striped-tailed, ring-tailed lemurs, just like from a cartoon. In this park around the island there is a canal dug and filled with water. Locals say that lemurs cannot swim, so they don't leave the island.

Tell us about the locals, how do they live, what do they do?

If this is a more or less large city, then the usual things: they sell something, carry things, take tourists in carts, cook food, do handicrafts.

In small settlements, all life is spent on the road: children play, women with bags on their heads walk from one point to another, men sit and stare.

A very important animal for Madagascar is the zebu humpback cows. In the amount of zebu a person has, Malagasy can determine his social success. Zebu gives very fatty milk, so fatty that from habit it can be poisoned.

There are a lot of traditions and prohibitions of ancestors (fado) in Madagascar. There are places where you can't go, topics of conversation that you can't touch. Not knowing fado is no excuse. Therefore, in Madagascar, a local guide is desirable, who can tell and protect about it.

I heard that Madagascar has an interesting wedding tradition?

In villages, women dress brightly and wear numerous multi-colored bracelets to indicate their unmarried status. The more bracelets, the more the girl wants to get married.

Noticing a beautiful free girl, the boy begins to save up cows for a dowry. The more noble the bride's family, the more cows the groom must bring.

The more bracelets, the more the girl wants to get married.

The matchmaking ceremony goes like this. The groom and his parents come to the bride's house and bring the cows. Everyone sits down opposite the bride and her parents. During the entire ceremony, no one speaks a word. A speakerman (toastmaster) speaks on each side. They tirelessly talk to each other: about the merits of each family, about the beauty of the bride, about the mind of the groom, many pretentious things. The spokesman from the groom's side must be very careful and not make any mistakes, otherwise the number of cows in the dowry will have to be increased.

The traditional engagement is followed by an official painting in the registry office and a wedding in the church. Traditionally, Malagasy people get married very early. If before the age of 30 a man is still not married, the whole village looks at him askance.

How are tourists received?

In tourist villages like Ambositra there are beggars who knock on car windows asking for money. Children and adults are very fond of taking pictures, waving their hands, barely seeing the camera. They smile back.

Are there many travelers in Madagascar? Have you met the Russians?

It seemed to me that there are not many tourists. Madagascars themselves rarely travel abroad. It is very expensive. We saw tourists from Germany, France. Russians were not met.

Was it scary from time to time?

The scariest moment was at the very beginning. We just landed at the airport. It was already quite late. At the control, the officer leafed through all the pages of the passport for a long, long time, creating tension. Put a sweeping painting on the whole page. Money was exchanged in the exchanger. Course 1 euro - 2600 Ariari. They gave us a huge wad of money - several million Ariari. The pack did not fit in the wallet, and Masha simply stuffed it into the bag. At the exit from the airport, a guide with a sign and a driver was already waiting for us. Out of nowhere, a porter appears and grabs our suitcases, heading to the parking lot. We got to the car, the porter looked expectantly at us, we - at the guide. Rado explained to us that it is customary for the porter to tip, any little thing. Masha grabbed the bag tighter and whispered to me: "There is so much money, I will never open the bag here - we will be robbed."

It looked very tense - night, deserted parking lot, two white girls, a bag with a lot of money, three Madagascar men. The guide caught himself first, pulled out his wallet and paid the porter. Taking a breath, we began our journey to Antananarivo. And then we quickly became friends, the atmosphere was very pleasant, friendly and comfortable.

It looked very tense - night, deserted parking lot, two white girls, a bag with a lot of money, three Madagascar men.

How do you like the food? What is fed in Madagascar?

Antananarivo has delicious crispy airy baguettes inherited from the French.

At first, we ate mainly in the markets: huge avocados, tomatoes, persimmons, bananas, tangerines, pineapples.

The guide explained that usually locals eat separately from tourists, in cheaper places. Everything inside these cafes is more than simple. Tablecloths covered with flies, wooden tables, local hard workers sit at the tables. There's a local soap opera on TV. The menu is written in chalk on a blackboard. Basically, these are variations of rice and meat, called a common word - loka(laoka).

Food is washed down with rice broth ran anapangu... The more the rice is burnt during cooking, the more delicious the broth is.

What color is Madagascar for you?

Brick red. The land there has an admixture of red, from which the locals make houses - also red. The water in the rivers flows dull red. The sky is blue-blue, salad-green rice fields, white-white clouds. Very picturesque!

What was the best thing about Madagascar?

Smiles. Sincere and friendly. Curious and open eyes. In Tanya, we accidentally wandered into school during school break. Children clung to us and the camera, making faces, fooling around and smiling. The girls gave us cookies and touched our hands. In the village, people waved their hands and smiled.

Children clung to us and the camera, making faces, fooling around and smiling.

If it's not a secret, did the trip cost a pretty penny?

In fact, the most expensive thing is airline tickets. The services of a guide two years ago cost 350 € together with a car for two, but without hotels. Together with hotels, this is approximately 650 € for two.

Food, especially in the markets, souvenirs, entrance to parks - all this is very, very inexpensive.

And what was the worst, most disappointing?

There are times when traveling is in trouble. And the best thing is to be flexible and not get upset, but to solve these troubles right away. I have bad memories that don't hold in my head.

You have visited many countries. How do you manage to keep vivid memories of all your travels?

If it weren't for the photos, videos and my travel diary with notes, everything would be blurred in my memory.

When traveling, I try to shoot short videos, and then edit short 5-10 minute clips from them. It seems heavy and time consuming after the trip, but it's worth it, believe me.

I also love the tactile sensations. From travels I bring a lot of different papers - booklets, tickets, packages. I make scrapbooks of them with photographs, tickets to the museum and the subway, rustling bags of croissants and baguettes, business cards of restaurants where we ate, and hotels where we slept. These books are on my shelf, they keep smiles.

Photo: Katya Karasaeva, Maria Ermanova