FLIGHTS
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VISAS & IMMIGRATION
All visitors must have visas, except citizens of some African countries. Proof of return ticket is required. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from departure date. If you are arriving from the African continent you must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Short-term visas (three months or less) may be obtained either at the airport or port of entry or one of the following locations:

AUSTRALIA - Sydney Consulate - 92 FIH Street Sydney, New South Wales 2000  Tel: +( 61) 2 221 3007
JAPAN - Tokyo Embassy - 2-3-23 Moto-Azabu Minato-ku Tokyo 106  Tel: +(81) 3 3446 7252 Fax: +( 81) 3 3446 7078
SOUTH AFRICA - Johannesburg Consulate - 14 Greenfield Road , Greenside, Johannesburg  Tel: +(27) 11 646 4691 Fax: +(27) 11 486 2403
UNITED KINGDOM - London Consulate - 16 Lanark Mansions Pennard Road London W12 8DT Tel: +(44) 208 746 0133 Fax: +(44) 208 746 0134
USA - Washington DC  Embassy - 2374 Massachussets Ave- NW Washington DC 20008 ·  Tel: +(1) 202 2655 525

Please check with your local embassy, if your country is allowed to obtain visa on arrival.

LANGUAGE
The official languages are malagasy and french. English is not very common.

CURRENCY
Traveler cheques are accepted by all banks, although the local bank, BMOI, will not accept Travelers cheques issued by Thomas Cook. Limits on the amount of money, which can be changed at one time, are still in place, although these are gradually being relaxed. It is best to check with individual banks. Western Union is operating for inward currency transfers only. It is advisable to check opening hours of Western Union agencies as these may vary from place to place.

Credit cards are accepted at only a small (but growing) number of outlets in Antananarivo, and in some deluxe Hotels. A charge of up to 8% of the transaction value is levied. ATMs are increasingly available around the capital and in some of the larger towns. A charge of about 1.5% is made.

The maximum amount of Malagasy currency you can take out is 25.000 FMg/5.000 Ariary. Some banks will not exchange local currency back into foreign currency, so visitors should ensure that they are not left with large amounts of Malagasy francs at the end of their stay. It is advisable to keep transaction slips showing amounts of foreign currency transferred in local currency. Foreign currency of more than 7,500 Euros in value must be declared on arrival.
Important: Madagascar is in transition from the Malagasy Franc (FMG) to the Ariary. 1 Ariary = 5 FMG. Notes in both currencies are in circulation and this may be confusing for the unwary. Many, but not all, outlets quote prices in both Ariary and FMG.

Exchange rate approx.: 1,00 Euro = 2.600 Ariary (March 2007)

HEALTH
You should consult your doctor before traveling to Madagascar, especially about vaccinations. You are  recommended to get vaccinations against: yellow fever, Hepatitis B and C, tetanus and typhoid, rabies. You do not need to carry a certificate of vaccination (available from your doctor or hospital). However passports are checked at Immigration for previous travel to countries where yellow fever is prevalent. If you have visited such a country (lists will be available from your doctor or a hospital), you will need to produce a yellow fever vaccination certificate. If you cannot produce one, you will be required to visit the Institute Pasteur in Antananarivo to get a yellow fever vaccination.

Among the diseases endemic in Madagascar are malaria, bilharzias, tuberculosis and bubonic plague. Malaria, including a virulent strain of cerebral malaria, is particularly prevalent on coastal areas. You should seek advice about suitable prophylaxis. There is also a risk of rabies from stray dogs.

Although there have been no recent reports of cholera outbreaks, cases do occur during the rainy season. You should observe the strictest food and general hygiene precautions. In particular you should avoid buying food from street vendors. You are strongly advised only to drink water from bottles where seals are still unbroken at the time of purchase.

INSURANCE
Comprehensive travel insurance is essential including health and medical repatriation. Please check policy exclusions carefully.

ELECTRICAL POWER
Electric Power is 127V/220V running at 50Hz. The Plug types used are :
Round pin attachment plug
Round pins with ground
Round pin plug and receptacle with male grounding pin
Round pins with round grounding pin (offset)
Round pins with spade grounding pin
Many houses and hotels abroad are not connected to the electricity network and use generators.