This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Safety and Security: Crime (update). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Summary

Safety and Security

Terrorism

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

Civil Unrest/Political Tension

You should avoid protests and demonstrations throughout Madagascar as they may become violent.

Crime

We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Madagascar because of the risk of criminal activity. Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

The incidence of armed robberies and violence has increased in Madagascar, particularly in the southern districts of Toliara and Fianarantsoa provinces. Armed robberies have been committed in some national parks. Hiring authorised guides may reduce the risk of robbery. Armed hold-ups have occurred along some of the main roads in Toliara province and in the township of Toliara. Avoid travelling at night outside urban areas.

Petty crime, including pickpocketing at airports and in crowded tourist areas, occurs. Thieves are known to target foreigners. Avoid walking at night, either alone or in groups, in urban areas.

Local Travel

Driving can be hazardous, particularly at night, due to poorly maintained roads and vehicles, insufficient street lighting, pedestrians and roaming animals. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.

The police conduct random vehicle and pedestrian checks throughout the country and you may be required to show identity documentation and vehicle registration and ownership papers.

Airline Safety

Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.

If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.

The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.

Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate

The rainy and cyclone seasons extend from November to May, when flooding and disruptions to essential services may occur. Roads and bridges may become impassable and ferry services disrupted. When planning coastal ferry trips, you should consider weather conditions carefully. Cyclone information for the Indian Ocean region is available from the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies.

Information about severe weather is also available at the World Meteorological Organization Severe Weather Information Centre website.

If you are travelling during cyclone season, you should contact your tour operator to check whether tourist services at your planned destination have been affected.

In the event of an approaching cyclone, you should identify your local shelter. We encourage Australians in affected areas to follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor the media for the latest developments. Flights in and out of affected areas could be delayed or suspended. Available flights may fill quickly. The cyclone could also affect access to sea ports in the region. In some areas, adequate shelter from a severe cyclone may not be available to all who may choose to stay. You should familiarise yourself with your hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans. You should carry your travel documents at all times (i.e. passport, photo identification) or secure them in a safe, waterproof location. We also suggest that you contact friends and family in Australia with updates about your welfare and whereabouts. For further information, see our Travel Bulletin: Severe Weather - Cyclones, Hurricanes and Typhoons.

All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, but in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, there is a more frequent occurrence of large, destructive tsunamis because of the many large earthquakes along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches. See the Tsunami Awareness brochure.

If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

Wildlife Watching

Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

Money and Valuables

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas. Credit cards and travellers' cheques are not widely accepted in Madagascar. The local bank (BMOI) does not accept travellers' cheques issued by Thomas Cook. There are foreign currency shortages in Madagascar.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

For Parents

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.

Local Laws

When you are in Madagascar, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.

Penalties for drug offences, including 'soft drugs', include prison sentences.

Homosexual acts are illegal in Madagascar and punishable by fine or imprisonment.

Photography of military installations and airports is prohibited.

Local authorities have detained people for wearing military style clothing.

Export permits are required if exporting gemstones or vanilla for commercial purposes. For gemstones, travellers should contact the Ministry of Mining for an export permit and for vanilla they should contact the Ministry of Agriculture.

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Madagascar for the most up to date information.

A valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is requested on arrival in Madagascar for all travellers arriving from a yellow fever infected area/country. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides a list of countries where yellow fever is endemic.

Health Issues

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.

The standard of medical facilities in the capital Antananarivo is limited and extremely limited outside the capital. Most visitors seek treatment at private clinics where up-front payment is required. While routine medical operations can be carried out in Antananarivo, medical evacuation (usually to South Africa or Reunion) may be required in the event of a serious illness or accident.

There are no decompression chambers in Madagascar.

Malaria is endemic in Madagascar and outbreaks of other mosquito-borne diseases (including dengue fever, chikungunya fever, Rift Valley fever and filariasis) occur in many areas. We encourage you to take prophylaxis against malaria and take precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes, including using insect repellent at all times.

Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, cholera, bubonic plague, hepatitis, bilharzia, tuberculosis, Rift Valley fever and rabies) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes, raw and undercooked food, and unpasteurised dairy products. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.

Where to Get Help

Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Madagascar. You can obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian High Commission which is in Mauritius:

Australian High Commission
2nd Floor, Rogers House
5 President John Kennedy Street
Port Louis, Mauritius
Telephone (230) 202 0160
Facsimile (230) 208 8878
E-mail ahc.portlouis@dfat.gov.au

If you are travelling to Madagascar, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.

In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the above mission, you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.

In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.