Madagascar

[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?

[BrasilSoccer0]

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?

[TigeDeJade]

Very True.

I was lucky to be there more then 10 years ago ant fuck all girls that move toward me. They were fascinated to see a white person. Morandava at the time. Look at Morandava today its over. Even Anthalaha become contested with limited appeal. Stopping at Tana when its cold its Hell.

Now the story is over, Too hard to travel, very few girls to get rewarded. This is why I am in Mombasa now. Still a paradise, cheap and no need to travel of fly domestic.

Mombasa looks nice, with no recent terrorist attack, but I just read a very worrying serious press article about the risk of new terrorist attack as south of Mombasa is a very muslim area. From there a lot of guys were recruited north as Chabab. But in line with more peaceful situation with Somalia, they have been allowed to come back home. They are idle; they are well accustomed to weapons and terrorist strategy. So the Kenyan authorities themselves are worried on the high risk of terrorist attack in this region by these idle terrorists back home. Of course it is not the interest of Travel agents and Hotel owners to advertise on that. Till nothing happened. But they are just next door! Think at it!

[Golfinho]

Speaking about the airport, I've never seen anything like that. It's like a small town airport in Europe, small, dirty, no WiFi, limited food possibilities. Security and passport check will take ages so I'll recommend to take your visa from your country (if possible). If you have a stop or come from a country with yellow fever or you traveled in one in the lazy 6 months (I think) you should get a yellow fever shot (both for you and your trip) . Talking about Vaccines, I would never come to such a country without hep a + be vaccine, one for rabies (actually 3 of them, you need them because there are a lot of stray dogs and if you want to play with makis and other monkeys) - there is usually no rabies vaccine in Madagascar so, if you get bit, it s really a matter of luck, just don't do it. Bringing your Vaccines Passport will spare you some time with the over zealous guy at passport control!).

Reading this it sounds like you'd never been to Africa before. If you ever venture beyond Pattaya again, be prepared for more of the same elsewhere on the dark continent. As for over zealousness and waiting in lines, that's what your small change is for solving. Sheesh.