In a whole, Madagascar counts about 25 million inhabitants subdivided into the existing 18 ethnical groups. 3 millions of them are in the Capital Antananarivo, while the rest is spread throughout in the island.

As in many other countries, entering in Madagascar requires VISA. You can get this by consulting Madagascar Embassies and consulates present in our own country. Yet, be aware that Malagasy Visa is obtainable in the international Airports of the island (Ivato in Antananarivo and Hell-ville in Nosy Be); briefly, you can have it upon your arrival.

How much does it cost?
• 30 Days and less = about € 35
• 31 to 60 Days = about € 45
• 61 to 90 Days = about € 55

There is no mandatory vaccination to travel to Madagascar! Yet, vaccination against Yellow fever might be required for travelers from Africa.
Medical cures are not available in the whole island but only in big cities, that’s why it’s advised to take your own medicine chest.
The risk of getting Malaria is also possible in the island, hence take all necessary measures.

In madagascar, we use MGA generally known as ARIARY.
• 1 Euro = ± 5 000 Ariary
• 1 Dollar (usd) = ± 4 000 Ariary
Be Careful, still lots of persons doesn’t use it because they are more familiar with the ancient FMG or “Franc malgache”. For your ease, here is how you calculate it:
05 MGA = 01 FMG
20 MGA = 100 FMG
>> FMG/5 = 1 MGA
>> MGA x 5 = 1 FMG

Bank notes:

20 000 Ariary
10 000 Ariary
5 000 Ariary
2 000 Ariary
1 000 Ariary
500 Ariary
200 Ariary
100 Ariary
Indeed, coins (50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 Ariary) still exist but none use them any longer.

As a tropical country, Madagascar is shared by 2 distinctive seasons: the Summer and the Winter.
Winter – December to May:
• November to mid-December, Hot and Dry (24° up to 40° C).
• Mid-December to Mars, Hot (am) and Wet (pm) (24° up to 32°C; the night in the central highland temperature may reach under 0° C at night though no snow)
• Between February to April, Cyclones often strike the whole island. Madagascar is located into the Inter-tropical Convergence Zones.
• In the beach resorts, temperatures vary between 25° to 35° C
Summer – June to November:
• In general, this is the period considered as the best moment to travel to Madagascar. The weather is cool in the highlands: Antananarivo down to Fianarantsoa (am 10° C and even less, often we have -7°C in Andringitra)
• In day time the temperature is between 18° to 25°C and rather colder in the evening 10° to 16°C and foggy in the central highland.
• In the beach resorts (in the South like Anakao, Ambatomilo, Andavadaoka and in the North like Nosy Be and its archipelago), temperatures vary between 24° to 33° C sometime even higher.

Native people use the “Malagasy” to communicate between them. Despite the several existing dialects (officially there are about 18), we can understand each other even though with some difficulties.

Apart from the mother tongue “the Malagasy”, the second language is French, which is used generally as administration language. In big cities, lots of people use French even in their daily life so circa you can be understood easily. Yet, once you find yourself out of these big cities, French becomes mostly unknown.

English holds the third language. Only educated people use it. However, don’t you worry because, if, with ordinary people you can’t be understood, in hotels and restaurants you are.

For other foreign language speakers, have hopes because nowadays many young Malagasy people learn and study German, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and Japonese; we can get you interpreter if necessary.
Lexicology
To make your stay in Madagascar more pleasant, here are some Useful vocabularies and expressions: