 Where here could you find gas and water? (Marc) by Norali | Tips for getting around Madagascar posted by real travelers and Madagascar locals. Map |
 | Madagascar Transportation | Tips 21 - 30 of 40 |  |
Rather hire a chauffeur to move around cities, especially in Tana... as traffic jam and ignorance of circulation code would turn you mad :-)
As for traffic jams, an exemple: In the 80es, it took me 45 minutes to join urban area from our place in North Tana. Nowadays, it takes my Dad 1.30 min - 2 hours to do so...
Alternative: Rather hire a chauffeur to move around cities.. and choose a hotel located in urban area.
For long trips, you can experience driving by yourself (with the help of maybe a chauffeur to alternate). One thing however: if you intend to only visit nature reserves and national parks, hire a driver to lead you there.. and hire ANGAP guide while entering parks and reserves. It would cost you less and money would go to those guys who know about animals, plants, hidden places and best moments to find them Leave a Comment Theme: Car/Motor Home
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One thing interesting in long trips is that they enable you to drive while escaping from crowded urban cities like Tana and, why not, drive in empty roads. Thus, a chauffeur is not always needed for your long trips, guiding is mandatory. First, without a guide, you would miss hidden gems. Second, he would serve as translator if needed. Third, he would know about how to preserve safety....
Beware of fake guides though!! => See my tourist traps tip
One thing however: if you intend to only visit nature reserves and national parks, hire a driver to lead you there.. and hire ANGAP guide while entering parks and reserves. It would cost you less and money would go to those guys who know about animals, plants, hidden places and best moments to find them Leave a Comment Theme: Car/Motor Home
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Tip also applies to motorcycle and other outdoor activities.
Bear in mind that in winter, (June- September), sun sets at 5.30 pm. That means that you'd better calculate your timing for visiting specific isolated and remote areas. In addition, as directions in Madagascar roads are always missing and in case you travel without a guide, better head to a hotel in the nearby and make an early leaving the day after.
Off course, the tip also applies for picture taking. No light at 5.30 pm
Know that:
- from May to October, sun rises at 5.00 am and sets at 7.00 pm,
- from June to September, rises at 7.30 am and sets at 5.00pm. Leave a Comment Theme: Car/Motor Home
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Try the charm of ricksaw transportation in cities such as Antsirabe, Toamasina and Mahajanga and Toliara. Though tourists may feel not at their ease on those ricksaws, think of Tana ricksaw pullers have even harder work. Indeed, Tana ricksaws don't carry humans, they cary heavy lumbers, iron rods...
"Pousse pousse" means "Push push", though it rather means "Pull pull" :-)
Above all, they are part of lucky ones who have a job... So, do not hesitate, use this tip, especially in hot areas such as Mahajanga. It would save you energy as walking is sometimes harsh there, esp. at noons and early afternoons.
Bargaining is a rule in Madagascar BUT since pousse-pousse tariffs are really low, there is no point in bargaining. Those guys only have this as a job.
A plus for pousse-pousse pullers, they know their cities by heart and may show you hidden jewels as well. Isn'it nice? A win-win deal, indeed. Leave a Comment Theme: Other
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But this is a more local way of getting around: taxi brousse... twelve of us (10 in the back) + 2 in front + driver and all our luggage on top. If you're travelling with taxi brousse, just count on it that a 25 km. drive will take you about 3 hours due to the bad roads (sand and dirt roads).
But it is an adventure in itself!
Sainte Marie (Nosy Boraha) is only a small island but it took us 2 hrs to get from the airport to the hotel.
We drove 23 km. north from Tuléar (in the south) and that took us 3 1/2 hrs. Because the taxi broke down about 5 times during the trip! Leave a Comment Theme: Car/Motor Home
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Air Madagascar: when you fly to Sainte-Marie, expect this kind of plane, a Twinotter (photo). No meals, just some sweets. The flight is about an hour from Antananarivo and not as uncomfortable as you might expect.
Air Madagascar is also nicknamed: AIR MAD ! Leave a Comment Theme: Airplane
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Air France (from Paris 3 times a week) or Air Madagascar (also from Paris).
Note: Air Madagascar does not seem to fly anymore. The planes were taken back by the company that owned them after the presidential elections in 2002. Seemed the rent wasn't being paid.
Transportation used by locals: rickshaw, taxi brousse.
And for those Malagasy that are better off: Air Madagascar and 4x4's with chauffeur.
The rickshaw is called a pousse pousse in Mada. French for 'push push' thought 'tirer tirer' (pull pull) might be more correct! Leave a Comment Theme: Other
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Taxi Brousse is a good way, to see everydays life in Madagaskar. They are mini-busses. As a westener you are supposed to pay at least for two seats. Nevertheless it is very cheap. Leave a Comment Theme: Other
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by plane ofcourse..
there is no direct planes from europe or america to madghasker ..so it's not easy to each there Leave a Comment Theme: Other
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My friend Myriam Erdmann started a travel agency Tsara Travel (Dutch) in 1999. She specialises in 'Tailor Made' Individual travel to Madagascar.
Myriam knows Madagascar very well and has excellent contacts with local touroperators. She used to be tourleader in Madagascar for a well known Dutch company. Since she started Tsara Travel, she made yearly studytrips to Madagascar to keep up to date and I accompanied her twice.
If you want to know more, just give her a call or an email and she will be more than happy to 'infect' you with her passion for Madagascar. Leave a Comment Theme: Other
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on June 17, 2003
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