TRAVEL WARNING
Country-specific safety instructions
The political situation is currently stable overall, but it is recommended to follow current developments in the media and to avoid crowds of any kind.
When traveling individually through the country, caution is advised, as there are always attacks, including on tourists. The violence and the use of weapons have increased overall. After dark, travelers should avoid walking, cycling or motorcycling outside of residential areas, but take special care inside residential areas.
Crime
Pickpockets happen frequently, and armed robbery – even during the day – has increased sharply. Mainly affected is the capital Antananarivo, there the city center around Analakely and the avenue de l’Indépendance as well as the surroundings of the hotels, the restaurants preferred by foreigners and the stations of the overland taxis (taxis brousse).
In general, but especially after dark, in all urban areas, walking alone or in groups is strongly discouraged for safety reasons. It is strongly recommended to use individual taxis in the evening and at night. Particular care should be taken when handling valuables and ID cards – also within hotels.
Especially in the urban area of Antananarivo, but increasingly also in the tourist-frequented coastal cities, police controls take place in the evening and at night. It is strongly advised to always have your passport with you. A certified copy of your ID is not sufficient.
When driving in urban areas (especially in Antananarivo, the traffic density is very high and the streets narrow), it is recommended to lock the doors from the inside at all times of the day and night and keep the windows closed if possible. Bags and valuables should never be visible from the outside in the car.
German nationals who are in Madagascar (even for a short time) should register on the electronic crisis prevention list: External link, opens in a new windowhttp: //elefand.diplo.de
Piracy on the high seas
There is still a risk of pirate attacks and capture off the coasts of Somalia and its neighboring countries, as well as in the adjacent waters. Ships deep in the Indian Ocean (around the Seychelles and Madagascar) and off Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Yemen and Oman are also at risk of being attacked and hijacked. Skippers in the aforementioned areas are strongly advised to exercise the utmost caution.
Despite international efforts to curb piracy, the number of pirate attacks remains high. Effective protection cannot be guaranteed. Skippers in the endangered waters are strongly advised to register at the Maritime Security Center at www.mschoa.org.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
As a country located in Africa according to dentistrymyth, Madagascar is known for its rather quiet nightlife. Many Madagascans go to bed early and get up before sunrise, especially in rural areas the streets are swept empty by 9:00 p.m. at the latest. In the capital, Antananarivo, there are a few discos and pubs, but in most of the other places the options for going out are very limited. Often there is only one restaurant where you can at least drink something, but alcohol is relatively expensive in Madagascar. In the livelier areas, such as Toamasina, there are some hotels that have a discotheque or at least a bar. On the island of Nosy Bé there are numerous bars and restaurants along the almost two-kilometer-long sandy beach Madirokely, in which there is a lot of activity until late at night.
In many larger cities you will find cinemas and theaters as well as a surprising number of karaoke bars. Performances by local theater groups and traditional dance performances take place all over the island. Live bands and solo musicians also tour the country. The Malagasy music, which is characterized by African influences and is very rhythmic, invites you to dance along. The rhythms differ depending on the region, for example the music from the highlands in the middle of the country has a more delicate rhythm, while in the north one plays more strong and fast rhythms. The dances also adapt to the respective rhythm.
COMMUNICATION
Cellphone
GSM 900. Network operators are Madacom (Internet: www.madacom.com) and Orange Madagascar SA (Internet: www.orange.mg). The transmission / reception range for mobile communications is limited to the larger cities and the main traffic arteries in the country.
Internet
Public Internet access is available in the larger cities. There are several internet cafes in Antananarivo.
Post Office
Items can be sent to the main post office with poste restante. Airmail to Europe takes between 5 days and 2 weeks, while overland it can take 3-4 months. International courier services support the national postal system.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
Phone
International direct dialing is possible to the larger cities. Telecommunications are not centralized. Depending on the provider, a two-digit access code must be dialed after the country code and before the area code. The different access codes are: 20 (TELMA), 30 (Telecel), 31 (Sacel), 32 (SRR) or 33 (Madacom). After the country code and the access code, the telephone number should be seven digits (including the area code). The area code for Antananarivo is 22. Since connections are difficult to establish, you should try changing access codes several times until a connection is established.
Area codes:
Ambatolampy 42 – Ambositra 47 – Antananarivo 22 – Antsirabe 44 – Antsohihy 67 – Diégo Suarez 82 – Farafangana 73 – Fianarantsoa 75 – Fort Dauphin 92 – Maintirano 69 – Majunga 62 – Manakara et Mananjary 72 – Moramanga 56 – Morondava 95 – Nosy-Be 86 – Sambava 88 – Tamatave 53 – Tuléar 94.