Expatriates Forums in Madagascar

FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN MADAGASCAR

Madagascar Info — Sat Mar 03, 2007 7:42 am

Author: Madagascar Info

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 7:42 am

FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN MADAGASCAR

BELGIUM
Consulate of Belgium
Rue révérend Père Callet, 19,
Antanimena,
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2220984 / 2242123
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2222368
E-mail: m.pain@simicro.mg

CANADA
Consulate of Canada
c /o Madagascar Minerals S. A.
Villa 3H, Lot II-J-169,
Ivandry,
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2242559
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2242506
E-mail: consulat.canada@dts.mg

CHINA
Embassy of China
Nanisana-Ambatobe,
P.O. Box 1658,
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2240129
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2240215
E-mail: chinaemb_mg@mfa.gov.cn

DENMARK
Royal Danish Consulate General
1 Bis, Rue Patrice Lumumba,
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2222356
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2233902
E-mail: sealtana@wanadoo.mg

EGYPT
Embassy of Egypt
Lot Md 378,Ambalatokana,
Mandrosoa,Ivato,
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2245497 / 2245499
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2245379

FINLAND
Consulate of Finland
P.O. Box 6211,
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2220565
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2234753
E-mail: ramex@dts.mg

FRANCE
Embassy of France
3 Rue Jean-Jaurès,
Ambatomena,
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2239898
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2239927
E-mail: ambatana@dts.mg
Website: www.ambafrance-mada.org

GERMANY
Embassy of Germany
101, Rue du Pasteur Rabeony Hans,
Ambodirotra,
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2223802 / 2223803
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2226627
E-mail: amballem@wanadoo.mg
Website: www.antananarivo.diplo.de

GREECE
Consulate of Greece
P.O. Box 1442,
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2239440
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2239444

INDIA
Embassy of India
4, Lalana Rajaonson Emile,
Tsaralalana,
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2223334 / 2227156
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2233790
E-mail: indembmd@bow.dts.mg

INDONESIA
Embassy of Indonesia
26-28, Rue Patrice Lumumba,
Tsaralalana,
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2224915 / 2224825
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2232857
E-mail: kbritana@dts.mg

JAPAN
Embassy of Japan
8, Rue du Docteur Villette,
Isoraka,
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2226102
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2221769

MALTA
Consulate of Malta
Immeuble S.A.C.M.
Lalana Rovoninahitriniarovo,
Ankorondrano,
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2227144 / 2220954
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2234853
E-mail: sfm@dts.mg

MAURITIUS
Embassy of Mauritius
B.P 6040,
Ambanidia,
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2232157 / 2221864
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2221939
E-mail: memad@wanadoo.mg

NETHERLANDS
Royal Consulate of the Netherlands
c/o Radio Nederland,
Lotissement Bonnet,
Ivandry,
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2242222 / 2242299
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2243184
E-mail: rad.ned@dts.mg

POLAND
Consulate of Poland
Lot 2 M 47 DA Analamahitsy,
Antanetilava,
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2242806 / 2253346
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2242806
E-mail: oceconsult@wanadoo.mg

PORTUGAL
Consulate of Portugal
P.O. Box 11144,
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2244438
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2245799

RUSSIA
Embassy of the Russian Federation
Ambohijatovo,
Ivandry
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2242816 / 27
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2242642
E-mail: ambrusmad@wanadoo.mg

SOUTH AFRICA
Embassy of South Africa
Villa Chandella,
Lotissement Bonnet No 38,
Ivandry,
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2243350 / 2249482
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2243386
E-mail: antananarivo@foreign.gov.za , saembassy@wanadoo.mg

SWEDEN
Royal Consulate General of Sweden
c/o SEAL,
1 Bis Rue Patrice Lumumba,
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2222356
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2233902
E-mail: sealtana@dts.mg

SWITZERLAND
Embassy of Switzerland
Immeuble "ARO",
Solombavambahoaka,
Frantsay 77,
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2262997 / 98 / 2264064
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2228940
E-mail: vertretung@ant.rep.admin.ch

UK
British Embassy
Lot 2 164 Ter,
Alarobia,
Amboniloha,
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2249378 / 79 / 80
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2249381
E-mail: ukembant@simicro.mg

USA
American Embassy
14-16 Rue Rainitovo,
Antananarivo
Telephone: (+261) (20) 2221257 / (33) 4422000
Telefax: (+261) (20) 2234539 / (33) 4422261
Website: www.usmission.mg

HOTELS DIRECTORY IN MADAGASCAR / MADAGASCAR HOTEL GUIDE

Madagascar Info — Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:07 pm

Author: Madagascar Info

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:07 pm

HOTELS DIRECTORY IN MADAGASCAR

Andilana Beach Hotel
Page D'andilana,
Nosy Be Island
Phone: +261 8661178

De France Hotel Antananarivo
34 ave de l'Independance,
Antananarivo
Phone: +261 20 2221304
Website: www.siceh-hotels.com

Hilton Madagascar
Rue Pierre Stibbe Anosy,
Antananarivo
Phone: +261 20 2226060
Website: www.madagascar.hilton.com

Hotel Colbert Antananarivo
29 Rue Prince Ratsimamanga,
Antananarivo
Phone: +261 20 2220202
Website: www.colbert-hotel.com

Ibis Antananarivo Hotel
4 Place de L'Independance,
Antananarivo
Phone: +261 20 2262929
Website: www.accorhotel.com

Radama Hotel
22 Avenue General Ramanantsoa Isoraka,
Antananarivo
Phone: +261 20 2231927
Fax: +261 20 2235323
Email: radama@simicro.mg
Website: www.radama-hotel.com

Relais Des Plateaux Hotel
Antanetibe Ivato Antananarivo,
Antananarivo
Phone: +261 20 2244122
Fax: +261 20 2244476
Email: relaisdesplateaux@wanadoo.mg
Website: www.relais-des-plateaux.com

GETTING AROUND IN MADAGASCAR / MADAGASCAR TRANSPORT GUIDE

Madagascar Info — Fri Mar 02, 2007 9:36 am

Author: Madagascar Info

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 9:36 am

GETTING AROUND IN MADAGASCAR

BY AIR

Air Madagascar serves numerous destinations throughout the country, which is a good thing considering the bad state of the roads.. Most of Madagascar can be reached by air, the exceptions being a few towns in the central highlands. Air Madagascar flies to 51 towns and localities in the island and they offer a 50 per cent discount on domestic flights to passengers using the airline to travel to Madagascar.

BY SEA/ RIVER/ CANAL

Madagascar has a strong maritime tradition and there are many coastal transport services. Rapids render many of the rivers unnavigable; local tour operators can organise small-boat safaris on the Betsiboka and the Tsiribihina. The Pangalanes Canal runs for almost 600km (370 miles) along the east coast. Much of it is currently too clogged with silt for commercial traffic; the Tourist Board can arrange sailing holidays.

BY RAIL

There are five railway links on the island, Antananarivo to Toamasina and Fianarantsoa to Manakara travel through mountains, rainforests and quaint villages. Other links are Antananarivo to Antsirabe and Moramaga to Lake Alaotra. The only regular passenger rail service runs from Antananarivo to Moramanga and Lake Alaotra. Services leave every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, returning on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. First-class carriages are air conditioned. Light refreshments are sometimes available. The rail service is intermittent in that trains arrive on one day and return on the following day. Children under four years old travel free. Children aged four to six years old pay half fare.

BY ROAD

The road network is in need of repair. Tarred roads of varying quality link the main towns in the central highlands and continue to the most populous parts of the east and northwest coasts. The Government have given priority to road building and improvement. There is a new route from Antananarivo to Toliara which has reduced travel time between these destinations from three to two days. There are isolated sections of tarred road, but dirt tracks are more common. Many roads are impassable in the rainy season (November to March). In 1988, the World Bank approved a US$140-million loan to rehabilitate the network. Traffic drives on the right.

Bus

A flat fare is charged, irrespective of the distance travelled. Services can be unreliable and buses tend to be crowded.

Car rental

This is not widespread and car hire agencies can only be found in the main tourist towns. It is advisable to make enquiries in advance about insurance requirements for car hire.

Motorbike rental

Available from several companies in Madagascar.

Documentation: A national driving license is sufficient.

Bicycle

Madagascar is a great place to tour by bike and staying in small towns and villages along the way gives a real sense of what the country is all about. A mountain bike or heavy duty tourer at least is required as the roads can be in poor to terrible condition. In rainy season on the East coast the main North-south road can become impassable and at the time I did it we had to walk 2 days over soft sand in one section - this is not an easily rideable route. Generally there is little to no traffic which makes cruising around a great pleasure. The people are amazingly friendly and you'll be greeted with crowds of kids shouting 'Vazaha' in every village. There are little or no facilities for cyclists, so be prepared to camp rough (ask if it is somebody's land and never too near a family grave) or sleep in very basic guesthouses. Likely you will be invited to stay in people's houses. Bring a spare tyre, puncture kit, chain, brake/gear cable, derailleur and all the tools you need.

URBAN TRANSPORTATION

Taxi

Flat fares apply except in Antananarivo and Fianarantsoa, where fare is calculated according to whether the ride is confined to the ‘lower town’ or goes on to the ‘upper town’. There are two types of taxi: the taxi-be, which is quick and comfortable, and the taxi-brousse (bush taxi), which is cheaper, slower, makes more stops and generally operates on cross-country routes. Fares should be agreed in advance and tipping is unnecessary.

Rickshaw

The pousse-pousse (rickshaw) takes passengers except where traffic or gradient renders it impractical. Prices are not controlled and vary according to distance.

Stagecoach

A few covered wagons continue to take passengers in Antananarivo.

MADAGASCAR TOURISM GUIDE / TOURISM IN MADAGASCAR

Madagascar Info — Fri Mar 02, 2007 9:24 am

Author: Madagascar Info

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 9:24 am

MADAGASCAR TOURISM GUIDE

THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS

The capital and several other important towns are situated in the central section of the Hauts Plateaux, the chain of rugged, ravine-riven mountains that run from north to south down the centre of Madagascar.

Antananarivo

Antananarivo, often abbreviated to Tana, has a distinctively French flavour and atmosphere: French is widely spoken, and road as well as shop signs are mostly in French. The city is built on three levels. Dominating the city is the Queen’s Palace and associated Royal Village or Rova. Now a national monument, it was once the residency of the Merina Dynasty which, in the 19th century, united all Madagascar for the first time. On the lowest level is the market of Analakely. The Zoma Market, claimed to be the second-largest in the world and certainly worth a visit, is held daily. The Tsimbazaza Zoological and Botanical Garden is open Thursday, Sunday and holidays 0800-1100 and 1400-1700. The Tourist Information Office is nearby. It is wise not to wander too far after dark.

Ambohimanga

The birthplace of the Malagasy state, Ambohimanga is 20km (12 miles) from the capital. Known variously as ‘the blue city’, ‘the holy city’ and ‘the forbidden city’, it is surrounded by forests. The citadel was an important Merina stronghold and retains several structures associated with their ceremonies. Its main gate is an enormous stone disc; 40 men were needed to roll it into position.

Elsewhere

Situated 80km (50 miles) from the capital, Mantasoa is a popular spot for picnics. The area was landscaped for the Merina Queens by a shipwrecked Frenchman and includes an artificial lake, pine forests and Madagascar’s first industrial park.

Ampefy, 90km (60 miles) from the capital, is a volcanic region with spectacular waterfalls and geysers. Dams are used here to catch eels. Perinet, 140km (90 miles) from the capital, is a nature reserve, home of the indri (a tail-less lemur) and many species of orchid. Also known as Andasibe, Antsirabe, 170km (110 miles) from the capital, is Madagascar’s main industrial centre. The volcanic hills surrounding the town are dotted with crater lakes. Madagascar’s second-highest mountain, Tsiafajovona, may be seen to the west of the road from Antananarivo.

THE NORTH

The lush north is dominated by two great mountains. Tsarantanana, the island’s highest at 2880m (9450ft), is covered with the giant ferns and lichens peculiar to high-altitude rainforests. Montagne d’Arbre (1500m/4900ft) is a national park and is famous for its orchids and lemurs. The monsoon falls in the north between December and March.

Mahajanga

A provincial capital, Mahajanga stands at the mouth of Madagascar’s largest river, the Betsiboka. Boats depart for Nossi Bé and several other islands. The beach here is said to be free of sharks. The island’s finest grottoes are at Anjohibe, 90km (60 miles) inland. There is a nature reserve at Ankarafantsika.

Nossi Bé

Nossi Bé is Madagascar’s most important holiday resort. An island surrounded by smaller islands lying off the northwest coast, it is one hour by air from the capital. Exotic perfume plants such as ylang-ylang, vanilla (Madagascar is the world’s largest producer), lemon grass and patchouli are grown here. The main town is Hell-Ville. Nearby, there is a ruined 17th-century Indian village.

Antseranana

A provincial capital, Antseranana (formerly Diégo Suarez) is a cosmopolitan seaport overlooking a beautiful gulf at the northernmost tip of the island. There are many lakes, waterfalls and grottoes in the rainforests above the port. Wildlife and flora includes lemurs, crocodiles and orchids. Permission to visit the national park at Montagne d’Arbre nearby must be obtained from the Ministère des Eaux et des Forêts, which has an office in the town. Boats may be taken to Nossi Bé. There is a good sandy beach at Ramena, but sharks may be a problem.

Ile Ste-Marie

Ile Ste-Marie (Nossi Boraha) lies off the east coast, 150km (90 miles) north of Toamasina. Its dense vegetation and the difficulty of navigating the lagoons which surround it made it an ideal base for pirates and, later, a colony for convicts. There are many clove plantations and several historic sites, including Madagascar’s oldest Catholic church. The island is also known for its beautiful white-sand beaches and coral reefs.

THE EAST COAST

Situated on the northeast coast, Toamasina is the country’s main port and a provincial capital. It is an eight-hour drive from Antananarivo and, like the capital, it has several busy markets, including the Bazary. Around 11km (7 miles) north of the town are the Ivolina Zoological Park and Botanical Garden, containing every kind of vegetable species from the eastern forests and many varieties of animal life. Vatomandry, further south, is a very popular beach resort even though the sharks prevent swimming.

THE SOUTH

The arid south is noted for its many remarkable species of cactus- and baobab-like plants and for the highly developed funerary art of its inhabitants, past and present.

SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS

Fianarantsoa, a provincial capital, is an important centre for wine and rice production and a good base for exploring the southern highlands. Places to visit in the surrounding mountains include Amabalavao, said to be the ‘home of the departed’, where antemore paper and lamba aridrano silk are made; nearby Ambondrome and Ifandana crags, where the revered bones of exhumed ancestors may be seen (the latter was the site of a mass suicide in 1811); Ambositra and the neighbouring Zafimaniny villages, where intricate marquetry products are made; the Isalo National Park, situated in a chain of sandstone mountains (camping is possible but it can only be reached by 4-wheel-drive vehicles or on foot with a guide); it is also the gateway to the Ranomafana National Park.

THE SOUTHWEST

Western Madagascar was once covered with deciduous forests, but is now mostly savannah. The economy is based around the zebu, a species of ox introduced in the eighth century by settlers from South-East Asia. Toliara, a provincial capital on the southwest coast, has excellent bathing beaches and opportunities for skindiving, fishing, sailing and other watersports.

NATIONAL PARKS

Spread across 152,000 hectares, the Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve is located 60 to 80km inland from the west coast in the northern sector of the Anstingy region of the Bemaraha Plateau, north of the Manambolo River Gorge. Undisturbed forests, lakes and mangrove swamps are home to a variety of rare and endangered birds and lemurs. Rocky landscapes and limestone uplands are cut into large peaks with a mass of limestone needles. Rivers flow on the plateau and springs arise on each flank of the Tsingy, making this an important water catchment area. Ancient cemeteries can also be found in the Gorge.

MADAGASCAR TRAVEL INFORMATION / MADAGASCAR TRAVEL GUIDE

Madagascar Info — Fri Mar 02, 2007 9:11 am

Author: Madagascar Info

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 9:11 am

MADAGASCAR TRAVEL INFORMATION

Full Name

Republic of Madagascar (Repoblikan'i Madagasiraka)

Capital City

Antananarivo (Tana) (pop 4,000,000)

Area

594,180 sq km
229,413 sq miles

Population

16,979,744

Time Zone

GMT/UTC +3 ()

Languages

Malagasy (official)

French (official)

Religion

Christianity and Islam

Currency

Ariary (MGA)

Electricity

127/220V 50HzHz

Electric Plug Details

European plug with two circular metal pins

South African/Indian-style plug with two circular metal pins above a large circular grounding pin

Country Dialing Code

261