Madagascar

[SouthEaster]

Are either of those airlines still operating outside of Mada?

[RangeLove]

FT Dauphin is a rotten little secret. Run down like a Western town after the gold rush. It was famous in 2006 as the city with the highest number of Syphillis cases (from the mine workers from SA). Now the South-African ilmenite mine is fenced in. No money goes into the villages but into the pockets in Tana only.

One problem exists: You only can go tere by flight from and to Tana.

One can also fly with Air Mada or Air Austral from Reunion island to Tulear with a stop over in Fort Dauphin.

You can go off the plane in Fort dauphin.

[TigeDeJade]

Who here is in TOLIARA or MANGILY right now? Can you give us an idea how life is for you as a monger? Maybe some expatriates living there can explain better!

And you where are you?

I am in Majunga.

[Amadeuss]

Just played with Tsaradia booking engine they fly now from Toliara. Very cheap under 5 kg bag but trust me you can take two bags to cabin. 61 EURO one way.

They had that flight before. But it was on and off. Don't rely on it.
And the 61 EU fare you also can get to Tana if you book early.

[Member #4673]

You only can go tere by flight from and to Tana.

Just played with Tsaradia booking engine they fly now from Toliara. Very cheap under 5 kg bag but trust me you can take two bags to cabin. 61 EURO one way.

[Amadeuss]

Fort Dauphin (Taolagnaro) has 60 k population I am tempting to visit. Any info?

I am counting on August hoping COVID ends from Mid October the heat in Toliara is hell.

FT Dauphin is a rotten little secret. Run down like a Western town after the gold rush. It was famous in 2006 as the city with the highest number of Syphillis cases (from the mine workers from SA). Now the South-African ilmenite mine is fenced in. No money goes into the villages but into the pockets in Tana only.

One problem exists: You only can go tere by flight from and to Tana. The 2 roads are a 3 to 4 days torture to Tulear or to Farafagana in the north. And those roads are even unpassable from December to April: rain rain rain.

There are 2 sort of discos with music only over the weekends. But as vahaza after 2 days everyone knows what you looking for and the hotel guards will bring ample companionship to your room.

[Member #4673]

Camion brousse (not taxi brousse)
To Morondava further north its an adventorous 4 x4 trip. 2 days?

Those villages have just 2000 population so not sure if girls will worth the effort. Toliara has 150 K but its looks like 30 K to me as it feels like small town but that's not a bad thing.

Fort Dauphin (Taolagnaro) has 60 k population I am tempting to visit. Any info?

I am counting on August hoping COVID ends from Mid October the heat in Toliara is hell.

[Amadeuss]

The road took 24 h years ago but now its possible to take TB for only 6 hours. And see all village in the way. Here is the new LP June 2020 edition.

Although its seems the route pass the coast instead of the normal bypass inland I don't believe them its only 6 h.

Its nothing new. The first part of the tarred road was built 4 years ago to lead to the Base mining area. But then the Malagasy government indefinitely suspended activities of the Base Toliara mine project.

The road passes Mangily, but then goes further inland through a dry sand region. Nothing much to see. After 100 km it turns off onto a sand piste to Morombe, another 160 km. Camion brousse (not taxi brousse) takes a day from Tulear. With a 4 x4 you may make it in 6 hours. But for a price.

To Morondava further north its an adventorous 4 x4 trip. 2 days?

[Member #4673]

The road took 24 h years ago but now its possible to take TB for only 6 hours. And see all village in the way. Here is the new LP June 2020 edition.

Although its seems the route pass the coast instead of the normal bypass inland I don't believe them its only 6 h.

[Steve Ohh]

Covid 19 peak for Africa is expected for June, of course Madagascar is an island with closed borders but I would be surprised if traveling there is possible in a few weeks. Until now it's also impossible to go by taxi brousse. I hope it's possible to go there end of this year.

[SouthEaster]

"Means, before June 11th you definitely can't get in. And after that date unlikely that the international airports will open for everyone with ease."

Not exactly surprising. I was hoping for July but that seems wishful thinking. Crossing my fingers August is doable.

SE.

[Amadeuss]

The lockdown was extended:

The Madagascan President spoke on the air Sunday, May 17. Faced with the increase in the number of cases of people contaminated by Covid-19, a fourth region (Alaotra Mangoro) is now added to the three regions (Analamanga, Atsinanana, Haute-Matsiatra) previously subjected to partial containment. He indicated that tighter movement controls would be ensured to combat "the slackening observed in recent weeks". The suspension of international air links will last at least until June 11,2020.

Means, before June 11th you definitely can't get in. And after that date unlikely that the international airports will open for everyone with ease.

[TigeDeJade]

Hey everyone,

New here on the Madagascar scene, I'm thinking of going there soon after flights are available, I plan on staying in Tamatave region, Is the calypso hotel girl friendly? I already got 2 targets locked until I get there, but now I'm looking for a good place to stay and still can have girls in my room. What do you guys advice?

For your info, curfew is from 13.00 to 05.00 in Tamatave. It is presently the most affected by the virus (with Antananarivo). And with the two deaths of the country up to date, just yesterday. If you are found in the street after 1 pm, either the police give you a brush to clean the street, or put you in a lorry, drive 20 km. For you to come back to the city by foot.

It is the clever way to punish in a country where fines would be useless as the population has no money!

[TigeDeJade]

Yesterday it appears that the govt put further travel restriction in place in several regions of Mada, prohibiting all travel except transport of merchandise, sick and dead. From this link:

https://www.facebook.com/gouverneura...52226662852055

And translation below. Anyone in country have further information on this? My contacts in country tell me that the restriction is for all of the country, although this communique indicates only a few central regions (which would essentially cut off the south and the north since the only roads go through the central highlands). Wondering if it is really this bad or if this is some manipulation by the government.

Google Translation:

Important discussion.

Loss and loss of large license licenses provided until May 11,2020 AT 12 AM.

In the face of increasing numbers of people with Coronavirus infection because of the contagion that has already spread to other cities (Moramanga, Antsirabe), strict measures must be taken to limit the movement of people.

Please:.

It is for all traffic between these regions (Antananarivo area, High Plateaux area, Tamatave area) inside them and for all roads leaving these region. For example: impossible to go from Antananarivo to MAJUNGA (or return) or to Diego or from Fianarantsoa to Toliara.

[Vavy Lover]

Yesterday it appears that the govt put further travel restriction in place in several regions of Mada, prohibiting all travel except transport of merchandise, sick and dead. From this link:

https://www.facebook.com/gouverneura...52226662852055

And translation below. Anyone in country have further information on this? My contacts in country tell me that the restriction is for all of the country, although this communique indicates only a few central regions (which would essentially cut off the south and the north since the only roads go through the central highlands). Wondering if it is really this bad or if this is some manipulation by the government.

Google Translation:

IMPORTANT DISCUSSION.

LOSS AND LOSS OF LARGE LICENSE LICENSES PROVIDED UNTIL MAY 11,2020 AT 12 AM.

In the face of increasing numbers of people with Coronavirus infection because of the contagion that has already spread to other cities (Moramanga, Antsirabe), strict measures must be taken to limit the movement of people.

Please:

1- Any valid or current license issued by the CCO, MTTM or MID (Prefect, District.) shall be valid and void any of the following: Analamanga, East, High Temperature; starting Monday, May 11,2020 at 12 noon.

2- Therefore, access and access to these areas is prohibited (Public walking, public transport, motorcycles.); and this is NOT a solution that can be provided in health-related barriers but must be followed.

3- Large vehicles carrying merchandise and vehicles carrying sick or dead can walk only with clear evidence.

Please keep these rules in order to avoid difficulties.