Everyday practical information for Madagascar

Power

• Type C and type E sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz. A standard European two pin plug fits; a UK plug needs an adapter.

Driving

• Traffic drives on the right, and you give way to vehicles coming from the left.
• You need both the correct version of the International Driving Permit and your own licence, in the car. That is the FCDO's wording, and it adds that you cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so it has to be arranged before you fly.
• Canada puts the limit at three months on a home licence or an IDP, after which you apply for a local licence at the Ministry of the Interior, presenting the IDP or your own licence.
• Outside the major cities, hire a 4x4, and preferably hire a driver with it.
• Roadblocks are routine and may involve vehicle or personal searches. Stay calm and courteous, and have the passport.

The seasons

• The rainy season and the cyclone season both run November to April. Seasonal flooding hampers overland travel, some roads become impassable, and services thin out.
• Check the route is passable with local authorities before setting out in that window, and be ready to change plans at short notice.

Taking things home

An export permit is required for a longer list of souvenirs than most people expect:

• precious and semi-precious stones, gold and jewels

• wooden sculptures, including funerary statues

• hewed stones and rare fossils

• vanilla, and food generally

• protected plants and animals, including butterflies and crocodile products

• Vanilla and spices have published personal limits: after declaring them and showing receipts you may take out up to 2 kg of vanilla and up to 1 kg of pepper or cloves.

• Jewellery or precious metal over 250 g must be declared on departure, and hallmarked jewellery has its own 250 g ceiling.

• If you buy anything made of animal skin or shell, ask the vendor exactly what you can tell customs. If they cannot answer, that is your answer.

Manners

• Dress conservatively, including on some beaches. Avoid kissing in public and behave discreetly.
• Ask before photographing people.
• Ask locally about fady before you do anything in a village. Customs vary between regions, and a guide is the right person to ask.