Insurance:

RAMARTOUR Madagascaris covered by a Malagasy insurance company www.aro.mg; we are Member of Madagascar National Tourism Board (ONTM) and Association of Professional Inbound Tour Operator (TOP), therefore, we have Chart ethic between professional tour operator and quality of services to respect. We require that all clients prescribe on health insurance and remain facultative Travel insurance.

Personal question

We encourage travellers to bring old second hand clothes. RAMARTOUR Madagascar will share them with a local orphanage that we visit often or bring them to our local church and other needy people. A lot of Air companies such as Air France, Kenya airlines, allow you to check in 2 luggage items of each 23 kilos. Check your flight ticket. Often travellers don't need that many things to travel. So, ask your friends and colleagues and start collecting clothes.

Everything is welcome, adults and kids clothing, shoes, jackets. Even if you think it's worthless, the people in Madagascar will be happy to receive it. Old mobile phone, electronic devises, your old laptop would be great also.

Most places are private of electricity and things with solar panels are also recommended to bring.

Car rental conditions

RAMARTOUR Madagascar rents cars including a driver. We discuss the itinerary in advance to make sure you have the right car for the different road conditions. Besides that we might have some interesting suggestions. Madagascar roads are often winding and you hardly exceed 60 km/h on the main asphalt national roads. Besides that there are some heavy dirt and sandy roads where you might reach 20 km/h.

You are restricted to carry along only your own luggage and passengers that are mentioned before departure.

In case you want to change that along the way you need to ask RAMARTOUR Madagascar management's permission.

The car and driver can be used during daytime and you need to be at your destination before that time. It's not safe to drive in the dark (after 18:00 PM) and the driver needs to rest and prepare the car to be ready for the next day.

The maximum distance per day is 450 km.

Arrival and VISA at the Airport

In the airplane just before landing the flight attendant will hand out a leaflet to fill in travel and personal information for customs. Please, carry a pen in your hand luggage and the name of your first hotel. Your visa for 30 days is free available upon arrival and does not need to be bought in advance in your home country.

When traveling above 30 days the charges will be 60 euro and can be paid in cash upon arrival.

After customs you can collect your luggage and we will be waiting with a name sign in the arrival hall to bring you to your hotel.

An amount of money in Ariary less than a value of 50 euro cannot be changed in Euro from change office. Sometimes people notice upon arrival back home, that they do have left Ariary in there bag. In that case you can ask us to transfer the value of the money to your bank account. And you will post the Ariary to our address in Holland the Ariary.

Pocket Money

If your trip includes park visits and hotels bought in advance, you only need to have money for tipping, lunch, diner and some souvenirs.

Calculate around 25 euro a day if you don't order any expensive drinks or imported wine.

In Western restaurant you pay around 4-6 euro for a main course.

In a hotely (Malagasy restaurant) you pay 2 - 4 euro for a main course.

A Malagasy main course consist of a huge plate of rice with laoka (the sauce, meat, vegetables that come with it)

It's common to order a big Coke bottle or other drink to share.

VISA, Mastercard and Maestro

Your Maestro bankcard does not work at any bank in Madagascar. Mastercard is accepted at the BNI bank only. You can only withdraw around 80 euro at one time from the ATM machine.

Visa is accepted by most banks, luxury hotels and restaurants. You might encounter ATM machines being broken or empty. When you enter in the bank sometimes the bank can't validate your Visa Card due to electricity or network problems and will not hand out money.

Traveller Cheques, American express are rarely used. Easiest is to carry cash. You can change money directly upon arrival at the airport or at your Hotel and in the down town area.

You can't buy Ariary in advance in your home country and officially you are not allowed to carry them out of Madagascar.

You can only change back Ariary to Euro/Dollar if it's worth more than 50 Euro/Dollar. Be sure you don't have any left when leaving, besides for a souvenir.

After you have entered through customs you can obtain tax-free goods, food or drinks are in Euro only.

Exchange rate

Euro

2900 Ariary for buying

2600 Ariary for selling

Dollar

2200 Ariary for buying

1800 Ariary for selling

Visits:

In Madagascar a lot of fascinating places can be visited apart of the National parks, reserves, cities... some of them are accompanied by the local tour guide or responsible of the places. Please take note that if you visit workshops it is not forcing you to buy anything, but it is to showing you how Malagasy people try to gain their life; of course if you appreciate the work you can purchase as participation

To inform yourself more, websites of most National Parks or Reserves are available, so you are invited to google them.

Tipping

In Madagascar it's common to tip your guide, driver, waiter and porters. How much is up to your own satisfaction. Often people ask us what is common to get some reference?

Ex: In restaurants you can round off the bill. For example: 27.800 Ariary, becomes 30.000. If you are served really well and food was great a little more up to 10.000 Ariary (4 euro)

In all national parks you will have a personal guide showing you around. Consider around 10.000 Ariary for a few hours of guiding

Your driver and or guide will be with you during your whole holiday and when you are satisfied give him 10.000 - 25.000 Ariary a day.

It's easiest to keep some small bills at hand to give to porters at hotels. 500 - 1000 Ariary after they have brought your bags to your room.

Airport check-in:

International: 03 hours

Regional flights: 02 hours

Domestic flights: 01 in advance. For this last your luggage allowance is 20 kg. For every extra kg you pay 3 000 Ariary (1 euro)

Baggers and safety

Upon arrival at the Airport, you will be in charge of your belongings. you are not suggested to hand your baggage to anyone else until you meet RAMARTOUR Madagascar`s team. Could be a driver or tour guide. It is not necessary to hire a porter at the airport if you have 1 or 2 suitcases.

Madagascar is a very poor country and you might encounter people and children asking you for money or food on the streets of main cities. We strongly advise you to not give anything to them. After sharing something with some children, you might be surrounded by 100 children and did you bring enough to share? Or when you are busy paying attention to one child his bigger brother is stealing from your bag.

If you feel the need to share be wise where you do it and/or consult with your driver/guide. Give it to an orphanage, village elders or school teacher.

Children are also very happy with your empty water bottles, a simple free gift. Don't leave the empty bottles in your hotel room, but share them along the road in rural areas where they are very useful.

Plugs Mobile, telephone and WIFI

Madagascar uses 220V with standard European plugs.

At most places you have reasonable / good mobile connections, except in rural areas such as along the Tsiribihina river trip towards Morondava / Tsingy de Bemaraha.

RAMARTOUR Madagascar can supply a telephone with a local SIM card if you are interested to have one during your stay. Please, ask us and we will provide that for you.

WIFI connection is still a novelty and often doesn't work except at hotels in the capital Antananarivo.

Suitcase

If you are joining the 3-day river trip in a wooden canoe, please pack a backpack. It will be easy to bring along in the boat and used as a chair to lean against.

When you are travelling by car and/or airplane feel free to choose your preference, whether a backpack, hard or soft case.

It's easy to carry a daypack, small bag for your daily needs. During overnight camping in a national park (Isalo park) you can carry your essentials for that one night and leave the rest of your luggage at the hotel or in the car.

Packing List

Simple emergency kit, some common medications for diaries, constipation, headache and etc...

Anti-mosquito spray

Sunscreen and hat/cap

Several shorts, t-shirts, skirts

Thin raincoat or poncho

In the evenings it can cool off, especially in the highlands in the months June - august

Long-sleeve shirt, blouse/shirt, fleece sweater/vest, socks

Sandals and comfortable walking shoes

Flashlight: Madagascar has power cuts or the hotel turns of the power supply at a certain time.

Bring a flash light. It's also useful for evening walks to spot nocturnal animals.

Guide book, Madagascar Map

Contact

RAMARTOUR Madagascar S a R L

TOUR OPERATOR - TRAVEL AGENCY - CAR RENTAL

Address: Lot 70 E Imerinafovoany Talatamaty Tana 105 Madagascar

Website: www.ramartour.com      

Facebook: Ramartour Madagascar

Skype:ramartour

Taxes registration number or NIF: 4000966245

Government registration number or STAT: 79120 11 2012 0 10638-RCS: TANA 2008 A01392

Tourism Ministry Licences number: A.B.C 012-10/MTA/EDBM

Personal contact:

The first responsible Jonah Ramampionona:

+261 32 02 133 68 / +261 331497881 7/7 days and 24/24 hours.

Main office at Imerinafovoany:

+261 20 22 487 23 only 9am-18pm