Madagascar

[Amadeuss]

At the airport you need to give sometimes money to skip luggage control at customs. But small note of 5 Euro is fine.

.

Why you want to skip control? Never ever had any problem. What's your problem?

And 5 Euro as tip --gosh men- its 20.000 MGA, the fee for a shag or for a complete meal in a good restaurant. You ever been to Mada?

[SouthEaster]

Have to agree with 007. Never paid a cent to anybody, immigration or customs. As he said, why should we. You are setting a bad precedent by doing so.

SE.

[Golfinho]

guys,
to tana for a short 3 day business trip, just needed some aw ould be great if I can get some pointers.

Pointer: Central Hotel around the corner from the India Consulate has a predominantly sub-Continental clientele, likely it's Hindu owned and their restaurant serves no alcohol.

[Muzungufotsy]

During daytime it is safe, after dark always take a taxi.

At the airport you need to give sometimes money to skip luggage control at customs. But small note of 5 is fine.

Not speaking French is a problem because few people speak English and many times only Malgasy language.

So expect a language barrier.

Arround the airport there are lots of massage places. Chica Soa is a good upscale place.

And in town LE Glacier and LE Manson are the best pick up places.

5 euros? Are you crazy? No wonder they try their luck with tourists. I never paid anything for my luggage. Never. Why should we?

[RangeLove]

Hey guys,

Am planning to come to tana for a short 3 day business trip, just needed some advice.

Is the place safe to walk around? Airport immigration and baggage and security is it safe or do I have to bribe around everyone and anyone? I don't speak much french be hence the concern.

And ya good places to pick up chicks, clean ones.

Would be great if I can get some pointers.

Thanks!

During daytime it is safe, after dark always take a taxi.

At the airport you need to give sometimes money to skip luggage control at customs. But small note of €5 is fine.

Not speaking French is a problem because few people speak English and many times only Malgasy language.

So expect a language barrier.

Arround the airport there are lots of massage places. Chica Soa is a good upscale place.

And in town LE Glacier and LE Manson are the best pick up places.

[SouthEaster]

First you tell Pokeris to avoid the Ambanja. Diego road because it is hell and not worth it. Then you say land in Nosy Be and take the same road to avoid Tana. Make up your mind.

Neddy the last rainy season wiped out the road much like the last rainy season before it and the one before etc etc! I suspect it is always shit and always will be. 2 years ago I ran into a French expat in the immigration line who said some blah blah development bank was going to fix it soon. Sure. Next.

As for 2799. No it is not safe. You will be robbed and raped before you even get out of the airport parking lot. Do not come without and armed bodyguard and thousand of dollars for bribes. Fuck, did you even read back one page?

SE.

[Muzungufotsy]

Hey guys,

Am planning to come to tana for a short 3 day business trip, just needed some advice.

Is the place safe to walk around? Airport immigration and baggage and security is it safe or do I have to bribe around everyone and anyone? I don't speak much french be hence the concern.

And ya good places to pick up chicks, clean ones.

Would be great if I can get some pointers.

Thanks!

RTFF Everything is there already.

[Muzungufotsy]

Some good news for who on budget and have time for long travelling. Cotisse transport very soon will start new route from tana to ambanja 80 k ariary and tana. Diego 90 k ariary. They advertising it on their facebook page.

Tana to Ambanja is almost 24 hours and not for everyone. Ambanja to Diego used to be great. It s awful now. Even with Cotisse.

[SexGuy2799]

Hey guys,

Am planning to come to tana for a short 3 day business trip, just needed some advice.

Is the place safe to walk around? Airport immigration and baggage and security is it safe or do I have to bribe around everyone and anyone? I don't speak much french be hence the concern.

And ya good places to pick up chicks, clean ones.

Would be great if I can get some pointers.

Thanks!

[Neddy69]

The road deteriorated last rainy season. Even my mate a Nosy Be resident flew back from Tana as it took him 5 hours longer as usual. I'd personally fly. Or if you do only Nosy Be as NMExpert pointed out fly direct with Ethiopian.

[Member #4673]

If I travel myself I will fly because most of the times I have short holidays at mada, but if I stay here 1-2 month I prefer take cotisee better save money on transport and spend this money on girls so is not bad news.

I would land in Nosy Be with Ethiopian then travel by road to Diego. Eliminating Tana completely.

[Pokeris]

Pokris. This is bad news the road is hell especially the section from Ambanja. Just fly for 100 USD. Book early to get cheap rates.

If I travel myself I will fly because most of the times I have short holidays at mada, but if I stay here 1-2 month I prefer take cotisee better save money on transport and spend this money on girls so is not bad news.

[Member #4673]

Some good news for who on budget and have time for long travelling. Cotisse transport very soon will start new route from tana to ambanja 80 k ariary and tana. Diego 90 k ariary. They advertising it on their facebook page.

Pokris. This is bad news the road is hell especially the section from Ambanja. Just fly for 100 USD. Book early to get cheap rates.

[Pokeris]

Some good news for who on budget and have time for long travelling. Cotisse transport very soon will start new route from tana to ambanja 80 k ariary and tana. Diego 90 k ariary. They advertising it on their facebook page.

[Doc16]

Hi,

I am planning a one month trip to Madagascar, including a one week stay in Nosy Be during the last week of April. Should I be worried about the rain that time of year in Nosy Be? I can stand an occasional shower but would prefer to avoid long days with no sun in sight or worse: long rain showers for hours on end (I have had bad experiences in Mada). As photography is my hobby (besides P2P) I like to walk around a lot during day time, with rather vulnerable camera equipment. Persistent rain would kill that alternative hobby. Of course I checked the weather stats, but they only provide general reports and I would therefore much prefer first-hand experience.

Also, can one expect girls in good numbers by that time and season of late April in Nosy Be? How 'seasonal' is the supply?

Alternatively, I might postpone my visit to Nosy Be until the 2nd week of May, but with considerable disadvantages for my schedule in other respects. Would the travel plan difference (last week of April vs 2nd week of May) be sufficiently critical to be considered seriously? Or would it be negligible weather-wise and girl-wise? Again, I would very much appreciate first-hand experiences as they often provide more concrete detail. Thanks in advance!