travel/tourism
My Madagascar Travel Companion for Other Places Publishing has emerged! It’s available on both Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. How exciting!
This book includes information collected from my two years in Peace Corps, the 2008 needs assessment trip, and my most recent 3-month voyage to Madagascar. My hope is that, through this first edition and all subsequent editions, I’ll be able to paint a comprehensive picture of the country from the perspective of a person on a budget that still wants to be clean and comfortable, someone hoping to have both an adventure and an authentic cultural exchange. Through this website, too, I want to create a forum for Madagascar travelers to communicate, share their stories, and start helping Madagascar’s tourism sector become fruitful and environmentally sustainable, as well as an income-generating tool for local communities.
AirMadagascar - the only way to fly
Here are some things to get you started:
1. For instructions about obtaining your visa before you depart (I HIGHLY recommend this), visit the website of the Honorary Consulate of Madagascar. It’s easy, quick, and stress-free.
Visas for 30 days or less are currently FREE for tourists, but this may change, so make sure you check before you travel.
Taxi-brousse - the other way to travel
2. For vaccination information, visit the CDC website, or MD Travel Health. Check with your local county health department first – you can often get shots for free or at a low cost. If they don’t offer what you need, check out Passport Health.
Lakana (Malagasy for 'Canoe')
3. Basic country information: I found the BBC profile to be pretty good (Madagascar), and there’s the old standby, the CIA World Factbook (Madagascar). Check back here for news and information relevant to travel, politics, and environment!
Chien Mechant = Alika Masiaka = Mean Dog
4. You’ll probably experience some culture shock with regard to language. There are 3 national languages in Madagascar – French, Malagasy, and yes, English! That last one is lagging behind a little, so I’ve started creating a Malagasy language guide with the help of my friend Manda of Cactus Tours. As a rule, it’s more impressive to local people if you at least attempt to speak Malagasy; who knows, you could become conversational in a couple of weeks if you practice!
If you have a story to share about your journey to Madagascar, please contact me and I’ll post it here!
