Madagascar Tourist Traps

 
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Nightwalk in Ranomafana NP

by tompt

As thrilled as we were with the nightwalk at Andasibe, the nightwalk at Ranomafana was a great disappointment. We walked up to a sort of picknick spot, with a shaded table. And the guides told us where to expect which animal. How did they know? Well, the animals were fed. And when you feed them every night they will return ofcourse. On top of this, we were not the only group there, at least 50 people were waiting for the nocturnal lemurs. It gave us some great pictures, but the feeling was not good.The walk back down was much more exciting, we found sleeping birds, frogs and cameleons. Leave the feeding spot early and take some extra getting downhill. The nightwalk at Andasibe.

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A smiling person is not making fun of others

by Norali

Be it in happiness, in harsh situation, we always smile. This is a constant element all over the island. We don't laugh without reason, we smile.Even in embarrassing situation, we smile. Foreigners use to mistake about it. When a Malagasy pedestrian crosses the street out of zebra crossing area (: meaning he/she is faultive) and nearly triggers an accident, he/she smiles. In this case, Westerners use to think that the Malagasy person is making fun of him. In fact, not. He/ She smiles thinking how silly he/she is crossing the street the way he/she has done. This self-derision is quite important to know if you get in contact with Malagasy people. Of course, this smile is different from our smile when we greet people.Also, even in a heated discussion (don't talk about Malagasy believes too much. You may ask the reasons of our believes but never criticize), you would see people to end a...

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Beware of fake guides

by Norali

Though, chauffeur is not always needed for your long trips (you do them by taxi-brousses for instance), guiding is mandatory. First, without a guide, you would miss hidden gems. Second, he would serve as translator if needed.Beware though to choose appointed guides as only these ones would ensure you safety and share their knowledge of circuits and spots... Fake guides are reported to show you nothing, and sometimes, steal your stuffs... If you are not sure your guide is an appointed one, choose at least one that may translate from Malagasy to English or French (or another language you both would understand)... Ask hotels, tour operators, travel agencies to arrange your trips. They use to work alongside one with each other, and with guides, car rental companies...If you only visit national parks and nature reserve, for a minimum cost, do hire ANGAP guides at entry of each National park...

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Taxi-brousses are not a miracle- solution

by Norali

One knows it, a trip to Madagascar is expensive. As a solution, travellers are now tempted to pay for the expensive air ticket to the mythical, dream island and use dead-cheap transportation means. It is sthg I understand but bear in mind that taxi-brousses are not panacea, esp. if you travel there for 2 weeks and that you intend to go through many spots of the island. Roadtrips this way are dead cheap but not comfy all the time. Look at my picture, taxi-brousses are not all like this mini-van. On some portions of RN7 (Tana- Big Southern area), taxi-brousses are huge trucks, loaded with people... Yeah! trucks, not coaches.Here and there, tourists who planned to travel by taxi-brousses *only*, eventually, ended by turning down half of their plan. They then travelled the first half by taxi-brousses but changed plan and hired 4WD with driver for the rest of the roadtrips. It is common that...

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Gem stones sold in the streets of Antsirabe

by Norali

Antsirabe is known for the place where gem stones are traded. They come from Ilakaka (South) region. A craze for sapphire stones and the like arose years ago when someone discovered a huge mine in Ilakaka region.Street vendors sell fake stones. For tourists (and locals) who don't know how to distinguish true from fake, avoid them.Gem street vendors are seen around hotel places, parkings... so, beware! Go to houses that use to trade. Unfortunately, I am not able to give any name now but Antsirabe has those houses that are trading gem stones (with certificate, if I am not wrong)... Ah yes! I remember the name of Quartz house, held by a gem- passionate woman (quite old)...

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Sea snake , you said?

by Norali

In Foulpointe ( Mahavelona), a "guide", one of the boys who tout for clients (tourists and holidaymakers) in the beach, told me about a natural pool in the coral reef. I wanted to see and rendez-vous was made. My friends and I stepped on a "pirogue" (little boat) and the "guide" rowed till we reached the "natural pool".I was disappointed as it seemed to be a not so exceptional spot. I just saw an urchin and a sea cucumber. The guide told me about a water snake and looked for it. At a moment, he picked from water a long brown stuff, like soft... I am not sure it was a snake unless this one was sick *LOL*... It may have been a rotten wood rod or .. I don't know what...So, I put it here like a tourist trap.The only best thing I had from this "visit" to see a natural pool is the possibility to take this picture when I was away from the beach. Isn'it nice? Other pics in my BEACHLOGUE...

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About money

by ATLC

BanknotesThe Malagasy Franc is the currency. Largest banknote is 25.000 MGF, worth about 4.03 USD (rate 16/11/01). But there are even coins!CreditcardCarte bleue (Visa) can be used in some places including top hotels in Antananarivo. Better are Travellers Cheques and US Dollars.Changing moneyYou'll find people wanting to change money for you on the street or at the airport. Necessity brought us to it and it went well. When you change a few 100 dollars worth of traveller cheques, you'll get a big pile of MFG notes. So it's handy to have something with you to carry it around safely.

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If you order a Coke, a soft...

by ATLC

If you order a Coke, a soft drink or mineral water they bring you a litre bottle if you want a large drink (GM). Cost about 1.61 USD and it's no problem if you share.PHOTO: Market with 200 souvenir stalls, just north of Antananarivo

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Zoma market abolished

by ATLC

The famous ZOMA market in Antananarivo does not exist anymore. Although you'll still find it mentioned in many guides. On Fridays a huge square would be filled with goods and people. It has been abolished recently because it became too dangerous. There are still stalls but even our Malagasy hosts would not take us there.

Nosy Komba. This small island...

by rene_teewee

Nosy Komba. This small island near Nosy Be is a popular tourist attraction because of the black lemurs living in the village. But after you have seen them already in a nature reserve like Lokobe (Nosy be), a visit to Nosy Komba with all its merchandising will be a disappointment. A visit to Nosy Tanikely, an even smaller island nearby, is worth a visit though for its fabulous snorkelling opportunities and the enormous bats (flying foxes) living there.

Tourist Attractions in Madagascar

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Reviews and photos of Madagascar attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Madagascar sightseeing.

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Tourist Traps: Cities in Madagascar
  1. Antananarivo Tourist Traps
  2. Antsirabe Tourist Traps
  3. Toamasina Tourist Traps
  4. Nosy Be Tourist Traps
  5. Tangorombohitr' Isalo Tourist Traps
  6. Mahavelona Tourist Traps
  7. Ranomafana Tourist Traps

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Popular Regions in Madagascar

Faritanin' Antananarivo Tourist Traps  Faritanin' i Toamasina Tourist Traps  Faritanin' i Toliara Tourist Traps  Faritanin' Antsiranana Tourist Traps  Faritanin' i Mahajanga Tourist Traps  Faritanin' i Fianarantsoa Tourist Traps 

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Questions and Answers

josemuniz12000 profile photo

Q:  Has anyone used Desire Travel Tours and had problems just before arriving? I'm 12 days from departure to Madagascar from Kenya... 

Odinnthor profile photo

A: I think you may be jumping to bad conclusions too quickly. I have been a tour director for several decades, and have a pretty good handle on most operators. It is... 

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