PASSPORT AND VISA
All travellers wishing to visit Madagascar must be in possession of a valid passport . In this document has to figure the entry visa.
The tourism visa is delivered either by Malagasy consular or diplomatic representation abroad ,or at the airport or the port of landing upon arrival subject to the payment of the corresponding fees . The maximum validity of the tourism visa is three month.

MONEY
The national currency is the Ariary ( Ar ) that costs 5 MGF ( malagasy francs) . The currency is composed of :
• Yellow coins of 5 MGF, 10 MGF, 20 MGF and 25 MGF.
• Silver coins of 50 MGF, 100 MGF and 250 MGF,
Bank notes of 100 Ar , 200 Ar , 500 Ar , 1000 Ar ,2000 Ar , 5000 Ar and 10 000 Ar .
For daily purchases ,always take the precaution to have on self small notes so as to avoid the long waits .
Exchange rate : 29 January 2005 : 1 EURO :2500 Ariary / 1 CHF : 1560,74 Ariary / 1 GBP : 3490,02 Ariary / 1 JPY : 17,97 Ariary .

TIME DIFFERENCE
Schedule : GMT +3 during the winter period in Europe. GMT+2 the rest of the time.

HEALTH AND MEDICAL PRECAUTION
Tourists from Europe no vaccination obligatory, however in case of extended stay in bush, vaccines against tetanus, polio, typhoid and hepatitis A and B are highly recommended.
It is also advised to begin the anti malarial preventive treatment the day before the departure (ask the physician advice ).
Outside of great cities, drink only sealed bottle water ( Eau Vive , La Source , Olympiko ) or use a disinfectant product
( Sur'eau) that can be easily found in all groceries.
It is strongly dissuaded to eat raw vegetables at the risk to be exposed to a dysentery.
Prudence is required as for sexually transmitted diseases.

ELECTRICITY AND PLUG
In great cities it is the 220 volt and the French plug for the most of cases.

LANGUAGE
Official language : the Malagasy ; commonly used language : the French .

POSTAL SERVICE AND TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION
5 days to two weeks are necessary for mail sent from Europe.
The official paid is approximately 100 Ariary for Europe.
5 operators insure the telecommunication :Telma ( plug-in operator) is present all over the island. Orange , Madacom, Telecel (GSM operator) are present in the main urban zones and tourist sites.
To telephone from abroad to Madagascar the indicative is 00 261 and from Madagascar to abroad the number 00 allows to access to the international automatic.

CLOTHING EFFECTS
On the High Lands , it is recommended to have a pullover and a windcheater in expectation of cool evenings , fine rains and morning sprays. An umbrella is not unnecessary.

PHOTOGRAPHY
The photography is rarely subject to authorization. However the approach has to be respectful of persons and local customs.
The films purchase (all marks and standard sensitivities) and their development can be made without problem locally in the great cities at competitive prices,.

USEFUL ACCESSORIES
A quite big preferably watertight backpack for hikers, a carryall.
A good watertight torch if possible .
An isothermal flask .
An emergency first-aid kit .(antibiotic, antiseptic, analgesic)
A wide-brimmed hat that can be obtained locally and a good pair of sun glasses.
A light screen and anti-mosquito cream to smear the skin.
A compass and a road map of Madagascar as well as a city and regions tourist maps .

EXPORT FORMALITIES
Living plants : authorization delivered by the Forestry Ministry in Nanisana.
Vegetables, fruits and dried plants : authorization issued by phytosanitaries services in Tsaralalàna or Ivato airport.
Rough stones : authorization delivered by the ministry of commerce economic control service in Ambohidahy.
Are not allowed to the export : all the lemurs, the Dugong dugong , the radiata Tortoise , the yniphora Tortoise ( with spur) , all the chenolidae ( seawater tortoises), the Boa , the small red frog of Antongile……...
All orchids and all species of Euphorbs, Didieraceaes, Pachipodium.
All authentic objects as aloalo, zafimaniry shutter etc., as well as ancient objects and documents