Call 117 or visit the nearest police station.
Call 119.
Call 118.
Call 117 or go direct to a hospital.
Exercise a high degree of caution to Madagascar due to the threat of civil unrest, crime and the risk of natural disasters.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Civil unrest is common in Madagascar. Protests and events that attract large numbers of people can turn violent with little or no warning. Security forces have been known to respond with force. Antananarivo Ivato International Airport may close and curfews may be imposed. Tours may be cancelled without notice.
To stay safe:
More information:
Crime, including violent crime, is a serious issue in Madagascar.
Petty crimes, such as bag-snatching and pickpocketing are common, particularly in urban and crowded areas such as markets. Foreigners have also been the target of muggings and theft.
To protect yourself:
If you're attacked or robbed, don't resist. Criminals could be armed.
Report crimes to local police noting that resources are stretched, and you may not get the level of service you would in Australia, especially for petty crimes.
There have been reports of violent clashes and crimes, across various regions of Madagascar. This includes:
Before travelling to regional or remote areas:
'Smash and grab' thefts from vehicles and carjacking are common. This includes taxi bes (urban minibuses), taxi brousses (rural minibuses), and river ferries. This is particularly prevalent:
To prevent theft when travelling by car:
If you’re stopped by security personnel or police, politely ask for identification. There have previously been reports of criminals posing as police.
Kidnapping can happen anywhere, even in places that seem safe.
Kidnapping for ransom is a risk in Madagascar. Foreigners have been targeted.
Always be alert to your personal security and surroundings and check your accommodation has appropriate security measures.
The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.
More information:
Terrorism is a threat worldwide. Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere and at any time. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places. Terrorists may target tourist areas or other places frequented by foreigners and where large crowds may gather.
More information:
Cyclone Gezani is expected to intensify before making landfall in Madagascar. Flights may be disrupted and airport closures might occur. Gezani is expected to bring strong destructive winds, heavy rain, flooding and storm surges. Monitor media, contact your airline for updates and follow the instructions of local authorities.
More information:
Madagascar experiences natural disasters and extreme weather, including cyclones and tsunamis.
If there's a severe weather event:
Consider weather conditions when planning your travel and stay up-to-date with weather forecasts and natural disaster warnings before and during your stay.
If a natural disaster or weather event occurs:
The cyclone season is from November to April. However, storms and cyclones may occur at other times. The direction and strength of cyclones can change without warning. Coastal areas are most at risk.
Storms and cyclones can cause:
Cyclones can cause damage to buildings, roads, bridges and communication services across Madagascar. This includes in the capital, Antananarivo.
To prepare for a cyclone or storm:
Tsunamis can occur in Madagascar. These are caused by an undersea earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption and can arrive within minutes. They can also occur if no earthquake is felt.
Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive tsunami alerts.
More information:
Tour operators don't always follow safety and maintenance standards.
If you plan to do a tour or adventure activity:
If proper safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.
Avoid visiting isolated beaches, especially if you are alone. Seek local advice or use an experienced travel operator when visiting coastal areas. Don’t swim in freshwater as the risk of waterborne and infectious diseases is high.
If you plan to spend time in or on the water:
There is a high exposure risk to diseases in Madagascar. Serious outbreaks of insect-borne and other infectious diseases occur. Consult your travel doctor for the latest vaccine recommendations at least 8 weeks before you leave.
Malaria is widespread in Madagascar, particularly during the wet season from October to May, but may can occur anytime.
Other insect-borne diseases include:
To protect yourself from insect-borne diseases:
If you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or a bad headache, seek medical advice.
HIV/AIDS is widespread. Take precautions if you engage in activities that expose you to the risk of infection. Polio is still present in Madagascar. Check your vaccination status for polio – you may need a booster even if you have been vaccinated in the past. Outbreaks of waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are common. These include:
To protect yourself from illness:
If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, get medical help straight away. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.
More information:
All hospitals require payment (public and private, costs differ).
The standard of medical facilities in Madagascar is basic and extremely limited in rural areas. Regular outbreaks of diseases and natural disasters impact healthcare services and hospital capacity, including ambulance services and accident and emergency care.
There are some public and private hospitals in Antananarivo, but only routine medical operations are possible. You'll need to be evacuated if you become seriously ill or injured. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.
All hospitals require payment up front. Most travellers attend private clinics which can be expensive.
Few doctors speak English.
There's no shared healthcare agreement between Australia and Madagascar. Check your insurance covers hospital stays and medical evacuation.
There are no decompression chambers in Madagascar. If you're scuba diving:
Drug offences are serious. Punishments can be severe and prison conditions are harsh.
More information:
Always carry photo ID, such as a passport or driver's licence. Police may ask you for it, especially if you're out late at night.
In Madagascar, it's illegal to:
Paying for sex is illegal. Fines range between 1500 and 7000 euros or prison sentences up to 10 years. Strict laws have been implemented against sexual abuse of children 17 years old and under, especially if foreigners are involved. Some underage sex workers may carry fake IDs, putting you at risk of prosecution or blackmail.
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
In Madagascar, 'fady' are strict traditional taboos. They dictate what is forbidden in daily life and can include food and clothing. Breaking them can lead to serious consequences. The fady are especially observed in rural areas of the country.
Before travelling to rural or remote areas, seek advice from your tour operator or local guide about what the local practices, such as standards of dress and behaviour, especially on traditional sites. If you plan to stay longer in a village you may need to inform the local authority or village head.
Same-sex relationships are legal for people over 21 but same-sex marriage isn't recognised. Same sex relationships are not widely accepted in Madagascar. Avoid public displays of affection.
There are no anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQIA+ travellers.
More information:
You need a visa to enter Madagascar. If you’re a tourist, you can apply for a visa for up to 60 days on arrival at the airport. You’ll need to show evidence of onward or return travel. Visitor visas are for single-entry only.
For trips shorter than 15 days there’s no visa fee, however you’ll need to pay a 10 euro administration fee for border control formalities. There are fees for 30 or 60 day visas. These can be paid in euros, US dollars or Malagasy ariary.
You can apply for an extension of up to 90 days but this needs to be done through the immigration service.
Make sure your passport is stamped when passing through immigration. Take care not to overstay your visa otherwise you may be detained or deported.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You should contact the Consulate-General of Madagascar or nearest embassy for the latest details.
More information:
If you arrive from a country where yellow fever is widespread, you’ll need to provide proof of vaccination to enter Madagascar.
Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever.
More information:
Children under 21 travelling alone or with only one parent may need to show proof both parents have approved the travel. Carry a letter authorising the travel that is signed by both parents and legalised.
More information:
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Madagascar. This includes food, precious woods, stones, metals, jewellery and cash.
You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty on arrival.
If you travel to Madagascar with foreign currency that you intend to take out of the country, you must declare this to customs on arrival. You can't leave Madagascar with more than 10,000 euros. For amounts over 1,000 euros, you’ll need to show bank receipts.
More information:
The local currency is the Malagasy Ariary (MGA) but euros are widely accepted.
Madagascar has a cash-based economy. Credit cards aren't widely used, although some credit cards are accepted at major hotels, some restaurants and shops.
You can make cash withdrawals from a limited number of ATMs in Antananarivo. Ask your bank if your cards will work in Madagascar.
There is a shortage of foreign currency in Madagascar so banks will not easily reconvert local currency to foreign currency.
The standard of roads in Madagascar can be poor. Common hazards include:
Following severe cyclones and weather events in 2024, road networks in some regions have been damaged. If you’re planning to drive, check your route is still open.
Carjacking, armed robberies and other crimes are a high risk when travelling by road. Be especially vigilant when travelling on National Routes and avoid driving at night (see 'Safety').
You can drive in Madagascar with a valid Australian driver's licence (digital driver's licences may not be accepted) for stays shorter than 90 days. For longer stays you’ll need to apply for an International Driver’s Permit from Australia.
The minimum driving age in Madagascar is 18 years old.
If you plan on driving in Madagascar:
There is a high risk of motorcycle accidents in Madagascar, due to the poor state of roads. Avoid riding motorcycles, especially at night.
More information:
Avoid taxis, as these are regularly attacked by armed robbers. This is especially the case for taxi bes (urban minibuses) and taxi brousses (rural minibuses).
Only use hired cars (or limousines) with drivers from recommended providers with a good reputation.
There are no international app-based transport services in Madagascar. Local services are relatively new and should be used with caution.
Public transport is not reliable and vehicles are not well maintained. Serious accidents have occurred. Avoid public transport due to the lack of safety and risk of crime.
More information:
Boat travel may be dangerous.
Piracy occurs in the coastal areas of northern Madagascar. Reduce the risk of piracy by adjusting your route if required, and monitoring piracy reports from the International Maritime Bureau.
Several ferries and rivercraft operate in Madagascar. These may be overloaded, poorly maintained and lack life-saving equipment. A lack of navigation skills and unexpected storms have contributed to boating accidents.
To stay safe on water:
More information:
Check Madagascar's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 18 or 118.
Call 117 or go directly to a hospital.
Call 17 or 117 (mobile phone) or 020 22 220 17 (landline) or visit the nearest police station.
Call 19 or 119 (mobile phone) or 020 22 223 02 (landline).
Emergency phone lines may not have English-speaking operators.
Response times may be longer than in Australia.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
For full consular and passport services while in Madagascar, contact the Australian Embassy (based in Mauritius) via email (see contact details below).
2nd Floor, Rogers House
5 President John Kennedy Street
Port Louis, Mauritius
Phone: +230 202 0160
General enquiries email: ahc.portlouis@dfat.gov.au
Consular enquiries email: consular.portlouis@dfat.gov.au
Passport enquiries: passports.portlouis@dfat.gov.au
Website: mauritius.highcommission.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros
X: @AusHC_MU
The website will provide details about opening hours, any temporary closures to the public, and services offered.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact the embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
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