Discover what you need to be granted entry into Madagascar

Prepare to explore Madagascar, a place that seamlessly merges untouched landscapes, completely unique wildlife and a rich cultural heritage. Home country of the lemurs, this rustic destination is not for the faint of heart. However, if adventure is your thing, you will definitely be in the right place.

Before starting to plan your itinerary, though, it’s necessary to go over the Madagascar entry requirements to ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible. Here is your guide on all the essentials and key recommendations. 

Madagascar entry requirements

Passport

You must carry a valid passport with at least three blank pages when entering Madagascar. The validity of the document must be of at least 6 months when you arrive.

Visa

All travelers are required to get a visa for Madagascar. There are three kinds available on our website, all single-entry. They differ in the amount of time they let you spend in Madagascar:

• 15 days
• 30 days
• 60 days

These visas are available online, at the embassy or on arrival. The best option is always applying online: you will travel knowing for sure that you have the necessary documentation, helping you avoid any unexpected inconveniences.

The application process is as follows: fill out the application form, upload the necessary documentation (just a copy of your passport), pay the fees using a bank card and await confirmation in your email address.

Travel insurance

Even though it’s not mandatory to purchase travel insurance before heading to Madagascar, it’s always the safest choice when in a foreign country. 

Madagascar in particular is away from mainland Africa (since it’s an island) and it doesn’t have the highest quality of health services. Arriving in Madagascar having already purchased a travel insurance policy, with coverage for medical evacuation ideally, will help you stay protected and get the care you require if the need arises. 

Vaccines and health requirements

These vaccines are recommended for all travelers who wish to explore Madagascar:

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• Shingles
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Typhoid
• Rabies

There are also specific stipulations for the following diseases:

• Yellow fever: proof of vaccination will be required if the traveler lives in an endemic country, if they have visited an endemic country within the last 6 months, or if they spent more than 12 hours in transit in an endemic country before arriving in Madagascar.
• Malaria: all of Madagascar, except its capital, Antananarivo, is an area with a risk of malaria transmission. You will need to protect yourself against the disease if you plan on venturing outside of Antananarivo. 
• Polio: there has been poliovirus in circulation in Madagascar for at least a year. If you’ve never vaccinated against polio, or haven’t fully, you need to before your arrival. 

Currency

The local currency is the Malagasy ariary (MGA), which replaced the Malagasy franc in 2005. 

When you make transactions in cash, you will be able to use these coins and banknotes:

• Coins: 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20 and 50 ariary 
• Banknotes: 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000 and 20000 ariary

As in most cases, exchanging currencies will be a lot easier in the bigger cities instead of rural areas. Don’t venture into the countryside without a good cash reserve: they’re not likely to accept bank cards or have ATMs if you need them. 

You won’t have any problem exchanging Euros, US Dollars and British Pounds in Antananarivo and other tourist centers. You can go to a bank or withdraw the money yourself from an ATM.