Madagascar

[Member #4178]

About your route: mid-January, Air Mada is supposed to be reviving their Tana-Guangzhou flights with presumably the stop in Bangkok.

Not My route as I am in Mombasa.

Only Kenya air will do it for 1050 USD. Air mad don't fly from Kenya.

[Amadeuss]

For the next trip I will do the route Morondava to Toulier stooping in every village between.

I hope the rainy season will not badly effect the experience in the south.

Its a challenging route: 400 km sand and dunes, no tarmac. The road is usually passable May through October. Along with Belo sur Mer, Kirindy Mitea National Park; Manja; Andavadoka, Salary Bay there are many little known stops and crossing the Mangoky River on ferry boat a plus as well. Most important is a strong 4 WD and driver / guide that truly know the route as the GPS does not show the track. Easy to get lost in the middle of the brousse.

I planned to do it on a moto. But the rental company only allowed to do it as a raid in a group. Was then not ok for me.

Let us know how it goes.

[Golfinho]

I'm in Mombasa for 3 months now and planning soon to be head to Thailand via Mada. (Kenya Air BKK-Nairobi-Tana-BKK). I will omit the BKK Nairobi h.

Just departed Mada. Weather absolutely glorious this time of year. More than a week in Tamatave with barely a drop of rain. How rare is that? About your route: mid-January, Air Mada is supposed to be reviving their Tana-Guangzhou flights with presumably the stop in Bangkok.

[Member #4178]

I'm in Mombasa for 3 months now and planning soon to be head to Thailand via Mada. (Kenya Air BKK-Nairobi-Tana-BKK). I will omit the BKK Nairobi lag.

My last Trip was Tana-Majunga-Ambanja-Nosy-Be-Diego-Ramena. Somehow a disappointment from a monger point of view.

For the next trip I will do the route Morondava to Toulier stooping in every village between.

I hope the rainy season will not badly effect the experience in the south.

[Golfinho]

Police corruption, for example, has made a huge come back. As long as you respect some security behavior, you shouldn't have any problem.

Even with respect, you will have 'problem'. Between now and to end of Christmas season, note: police are especially hungry. They will not be denied their cadeaux if they catch you out. Last year December they tried a shakedown because I 'walked too close to a police station'. Even when you have your passport, they will ask to see the (original) yellow fever cert. Any time after 9 pm To dawn it is open season on Vazaha. Joyeaux Noel.

[Amadeuss]

I realize that I will be in Mangily rather than Ifaty--judging from my guide book it's the livelier of the two places.

Thank you for replies so far!

You never been there? Ifaty and Mangily are just 3 km apart and share the same beach, known as Ifaty Beach. Yes, Ifaty comes first if your travel from Tulear and its the fishermen's village with no accommodation. The 2 "discos" are along the main road in Mangily.

But whatever you call it, its more or less an endless white beach with abundant "brousse" inland.

[Jazz123]

I'll be in Southern Mada later this year and am planning to spend Christmas in Ifaty. Any suggestions for cheap & decent accomodation? I don't need aircon but would prefer a bungalow / room with 'ensuite' bathroom.

I realize that I will be in Mangily rather than Ifaty--judging from my guide book it's the livelier of the two places.

Thank you for replies so far!

[Axel01]

I'll be in Southern Mada later this year and am planning to spend Christmas in Ifaty. Any suggestions for cheap & decent accomodation? I don't need aircon but would prefer a bungalow / room with 'ensuite' bathroom.

This will be a return after 7 years; I added a few reports then but have a feeling that the country has changed (and probably not to the better.).

Travel safely!

Hi,

Indeed the country has changed pretty much.

Police corruption, for example, has made a huge come back.

As long as you respect some security behavior, you shouldn't have any problem. The security problems are pretty much the same as 7 years ago, but in much bigger proportions.

For example, if you are travelling with a guide, when you will cross some check-point don't interfere just let him hand the policeman.

Be very care-full at night, specially if you are alone. If you are being attack don't resist, of course, and don't look at your thief, specially if you are on the road far away from everything, they won't hesitate to kill you. Don't trust the taxis at night. Theses are the basics rules I have been told from the Malagasy themselves.

Went there 2 years ago, had a really great time, no trouble at all, it is still a beautiful country with a majority of very nice peoples.

They are trying to encourage people to develop Eco-tourism services instead of begging for money, which is pretty nice and seems to be working.

Take care and enjoy.

[Amadeuss]

I'll be in Southern Mada later this year and am planning to spend Christmas in Ifaty. Any suggestions for cheap & decent accomodation?!

Look here: http://www.monnuage.fr/point-d-inter...agascar-a82661.

However, the tel number changed after Daniel passed away a year ago and I don't have an update. Just walk in.

[Jazz123]

I'll be in Southern Mada later this year and am planning to spend Christmas in Ifaty. Any suggestions for cheap & decent accomodation? I don't need aircon but would prefer a bungalow / room with 'ensuite' bathroom.

This will be a return after 7 years; I added a few reports then but have a feeling that the country has changed (and probably not to the better.).

Travel safely!

[Golfinho]

Although there are few hospitals in Antananarivo, Diego and Tamatave, they have a very basic equipment and can only handle simple operations. Treatments against bacterial or viral infections, accident surgeries or any slightly complex health problem requires evacuation. I speak from my own experience: only intensive care in a tropical hospital in Europe did safe my life.

Unless people here speak from their own experience, the forum becomes littered with speculation and bad information. In Tamative last July in Terasse, I remarked to a girl the Mercy Ship was gone. She said how the mercy ship saved her baby's life as the local hospital (and its not a small one) could do nothing. Other girls at nearby tables all joined in to say and praise the miracles the mercy ship performed for them, their family members, etc. I also had to evacuate to Reunion once for medical care. Also experienced a dentist in Tana who misdiagnosed making the situation a lot worse and painful than it should have been. Also, keep in mind you will be ripped off for this incompetence and not be charged at the local rate.

[Amadeuss]

Yes, although pharmaceuticals are available you do not want to get sick in this country. Repeat: you do not under any circumstances want to get sick in this country.

Absolutely agree!

Although there are few hospitals in Antananarivo, Diego and Tamatave, they have a very basic equipment and can only handle simple operations. Treatments against bacterial or viral infections, accident surgeries or any slightly complex health problem requires evacuation either to Mauritius, South Africa or La Reunion. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and quick repatriation!

I speak from my own experience: only intensive care in a tropical hospital in Europe did safe my life. A few days more in Mada and I wouldn't be able to type this here.

[OneRose]

There are private hospitals available, at least in Nosy be and Antanarivo. Of course, you are right, you don't want to get sick in this country, but for an HIV test there are a lot of options (that was my point).

Anticipating what brasilsukkers plan is: are there hotels for $10, are there girls to have sex with him for $5 (or less)?

Yes, although pharmaceuticals are available you do not want to get sick in this country. Repeat: you do not under any circumstances want to get sick in this country. Take a girl to a hospital? Hahaha, too funny.

[Golfinho]

Anticipating a bit what your plan is, I wouldn't try to bareback anyone over there. keep in mind that that's only about the people that are getting tested. That means, there is a small number of diagnosed patients(alternatively you can take her to the hospital, if you keep her around for a longer time)e!

Anticipating what brasilsukkers plan is: are there hotels for $10, are there girls to have sex with him for $5 (or less)?

Yes, although pharmaceuticals are available you do not want to get sick in this country. Repeat: you do not under any circumstances want to get sick in this country. Take a girl to a hospital? Hahaha, too funny.

[OneRose]

Hi!

I've seen only a pharmacy inside in Nosy be and that was very well stocked up, mostly french origin medicine. I have't seen the one that you refer to in particular but I heard some girls that they get the depo-shot so I'm guessing it is available.

Anticipating a bit what your plan is, I wouldn't try to bareback anyone over there. Even though the official statistics say Mada has one of the lowest number HIV patients, keep in mind that that's only about the people that are getting tested. That means, there is a small number of diagnosed patients, not necessarily a small number of infected patients. If you decide though to take this path (just like I said, just don't risk it) than you have 2 options. First, buy some fast HIV test and bring them with you (alternatively you can take her to the hospital, if you keep her around for a longer time). The other option would be taking prep HIV medication (medicine that prevents you from getting HIV).

Take care!

Gentlemen,

I need to know about availability of meds in Madagascar and how easy it is to get;.

Plan be contraceptives like Levonorgestrel?

Depo-Provera.

Generic Cialis 5 MG.

I am assuming all is available without Rx like in other developing countries I've travelled.

Can you share your experience about obtaining the above-mentioned three medications in Madagascar please?