African Travel Tips When Visiting Madagascar
Madagascar is ‘Unique’ – the best way to describe Madagascar, the world’s fourth largest island. Almost everything from the fauna and flora to the Afro-Asian people can only be found here. Apart from beautiful beaches and magnificent coral reefs, the mysterious and bizarre fill the atmosphere surrounding the strange landscapes, sights and customs such as ‘bone-turning’.
Home to the world’s largest open air market and some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling globally available, Madagascar will enthrall laid-back visitors with a taste for adventure…
CAPITAL:
Antananarivo
CLIMATE:
Madagascar climate is Diverse, but in general tropical, pleasantly sunny and warm throughout the year. Summer is Sep-Apr, winter May-Aug and dry season (May-Sep). Cyclones occur Jan to mid-Feb.
CURRENCY:
1 Malagasy Franc = 100 centimes. A few hotels and restaurants accept Amex, Master and Visa credit cards, but a charge of up to 7 percent of the transaction value is levied. Only change money at authorised money changers. Traveller’s cheques in hard currencies can be exchanged at banks and major hotels. ATMs accept Visa cards.
The machines have a withdrawal limit of 900 000 Malagasy Franc, but it’s possible to make several withdrawals at once. Note that the Malagasy Franc is non-convertible. USD traveller’s cheques are recommended.
ELECTRICITY:
Mostly 127/220 volts, 50Hz, other times 110 or 380 volts. Plugs are 2-pin round.
HEALTH:
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from, or having been in transit in, areas considered to be infected. Visitors are advised to take pre-arrival precautions against malaria (risk exists throughout the year in the whole country with the highest risk in the coastal areas), typhoid, polio and hepatits A. Other health concerns include cholera (rainy season especially), water (drink bottled water only), influenza (risk extends throughout the year), plague (officially considered infected), minimal medical facilities and unavailable medicines.
LANGUAGE:
Malagasy and French. English is hardly ever spoken.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
New Year’s Day (1 Jan); Celebration of the 1947 Uprising (29 Mar); Good Friday (9 Apr); Easter Monday (12 Apr); Labour Day (1 May); Independance Day (26 Jun); Assumption (15 Aug); All Saint’s Day (1 Nov); Christmas Day (25 Dec); Boxing Day (26 Dec); Republic’s Anniversay (30 Dec)
SHOPPING:
lamba cloths; chessboards and boxes done in zafimaniny marquetry style; silver, shell and precious stone jewellery; reeds, rafia and straw woven items; embroidery. The Wednesday Andravoahangy market offers better quality products. NB: all products which include local fauna & flora (including dried flowers) require export permits which you must get at the time of purchase. Many items are manufactured illegally and may not be taken out of country.
SOCIAL CONVENTIONS:
Fifty-one percent of people practise Animism (belief that inanimate and natural phenomena have souls), about 43 percent are Christian and the remainder Muslim. People have a relaxed attitude to time, which can be frustrating. Seek advice before approaching graves or tombs and find out what the region’s taboos (“fady”) are and respect these.
TIME DIFFERENCE:
GMT +3
TIPPING:
Not customary, although waiters expect 10 percent especially in European, Chinese and Vietnamese establishments. Tipping taxi drivers is not necessary.
TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION:
Antananarivo and surrounds:
The colourful capital houses most of the island’s friendly locals; buy exquisite embroidery and other crafts at the Zoma market and see the fascinating architecture and rice paddies; Tsimbazaza is a botanical and zoological garden; nearby is Ambohimanga an old, sacred village containing an historical museum; to the south are the cities of Antsirabe with its healing springs, crater lakes and highlands dotted with enormous granite heads; and Ambalavao, an almost medieval European style city which produces wine and papyrus.
Ankarana Reserve:
A hollow mountain surrounded by virtually impenetrable spiky plateau; inside are spectacular caves linked by possibly hundreds of kilometres of tunnels; isolated pockets of sunken forest grow where caves have collapsed and deep pools shelter eels and giant crocodiles; abundant wildlife appear in forested canyons.
Nosy Be archipelago:
Commercial holiday destination with palm-fringed beaches and coral reefs ina a protected national zone ideal for snorkelling, diving and exploring forests; natural lemur reserve; and great fishing; visit numerous nearby islands e.g. Nosy Sakatia, Nosy Komba and Nosy Tanikely; live-aboard yacht charters are available.
Isalo National Park & the Dry South:
Desert-like sandstone canyons; towering baobabs; giant cactus; colourful ancestral tombs; delicate coral reef; Fort Dauphin; Berenty Nature Reserve with its spiny forest, succulents and lemurs; and Libanona where there are beautiful swimming beaches and some of the best tidal pools.
Masoala Peninsula & Nosy:
Mangabe In the northeast, one of the largest tracts of rainforest meeting up with tropical coral reef in a biologically rich wilderness; Nosy Mangabe is a lemur reserve island and home to the leaf-tailed gecko, the bright orange tree frog and the nocturnal aye-aye lemur; Masoala has the largest Malagasy lowland rainforest, ideal for hikers and naturalists; visit from late August to late December.
Perinet Reserve & surrounds:
Eastern rainforest reserve is one of the last strongholds of the mythical indri, the largest of all surviving lemurs; scenic hiking trails and bewildering plant diversity; visit the neighbouring Maromizaha rainforest for rare species.
Ranomafana National Park:
Wild montane rainforest harbouring 12 species of lemur, numerous endemic birds and dominated by the whitewater Namorona river; best time to visit is Aug-Jan; near the park are thermal baths to relax in after a hike.
Ampijoroa Forest Station:
One of the island’s top wildlife hotspots; easy trails into tropical, dry, deciduous forest; accessible year round; abundant lemurs and birds.
Morondava & the ‘Swiss Forest’:
Vibrant west coast town with wide beaches, safe swimming and Kirindy Forest, the best place for nocturnal wildlife; rare mammals, birds and three species of Baobab.
Ifaty beach, Anakao, Tulear & Sainte Marie:
Coral reefs; coastal hotels; scuba diving and snorkelling at Ifaty with boat trips to Nosy Ve, Anakao, St Augustin Bay and excursions to the ‘spiny desert’; Ile Ste Marie has secluded coves, historical traces of pirate occupation and whale watching Jul-Sep; Tulear has scuba diving and snorkelling in a coral reef said to be second only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef; it’s also a good starting point to see baobabs, giant cacti and thorny trees.
African Travel Tips For Visiting Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s biggest draw is undoubtedly the majestic Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. But the country also has other natural and historical advantages to captivate travellers and beckon them to return. Wildlife, fish and birds abound including a number of unique, rare and endangered species making game viewing, bird watching, fishing and hunting popular activities.
Home to four World Heritage Sites, Zimbabwe has a rich history of ancient civilisations that makes its friendly people stand proud, despite hardship. From the refreshing spray of the Falls on your face, to a Lake Kariba sunset, a lush mountain escape to a river rafting adventure on the Zambezi, Zimbabwe is sure to leave you with memories as indelible as those of Livingstone and Rhodes when they witnessed the country’s riches.
CAPITAL: Harare
CLIMATE: Subtropical. The best time to visit is Apr-Oct when weather is mild with little rain. Winter (May-Aug) is dry and sunny. Rainy weather is Nov-Mar/Apr.
CURRENCY: 1 Zimbabwe Dollar = 100 cents. You may take 15000 Zimbabwean dollars out of the country. There are no restrictions on foreign currency brought in. If you don’t declare the foreign money you bring in, you’ll only be able to take out 500 US dollars. You may be asked to account for foreign currency exchanged/spent in country. Hotel bills must be payed for with credit cards or in foreign hard currencies e.g. US dollar.
Users of credit cards are subject to a surcharge of about 3 percent on the total value of goods purchased. US dollar traveller’s cheques are recommended. Avoid street money changers who promise “no commission, best rates”, but then cheat on delivery. There are strict penalties for illegal foreign currency trading. Several of the city’s large stores don’t accept American Express cards; travellers’ cheques are the most convenient means of payment.
HEALTH: Yellow fever immunisation is essential if you arrive from an infected country or area. Visitors are also advised to take pre-arrival precautions against hepatitis A, polio, typhoid and malaria (depending on the area visited especially those outside of towns). Other health concerns include bilharzia (don’t swim in the rivers/dams or drink the water from them as it may be infected), sunburn, limited medical facilities and supplies outside of towns, AIDS and influenza (risk extends throughout the year).
LANGUAGE: English is the official language. Chishona and Sindebele are widely spoken.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
1 January New Year’s Day
12 April Easter Monday
18 April Independence Day
1 May Workers’ Day
25 May Africa Day
11 August Heroes’ Day
12 August Defence Forces Day
22 December Unity Day
25-26 December Christmas
SHOPPING: Shona soft-stone carvings; woodcarvings; T-shirts; safari clothing; pottery; leather goods; basket ware; sculptures; textiles. Nail polish and old clothes can sometimes be swopped for carvings.
SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: Christianity is the main religion, but in rural areas people have traditional beliefs. Western/European courtesies are observed. Return invitations are appreciated. Handshaking is the common form of greeting. Dress is casual, but most hotels require more formal wear, e.g. tie and jacket; business meetings require suits.
TIME DIFFERENCE: GMT+2
TIPPING: Ten-fifteen percent is common.
TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION:
Victoria Falls:
Called by locals “Mosi-oa-Tunya” – the smoke that thunders, Victoria Falls is a World Heritage Site and undoubtedly the most majestic waterfall in the world; popular activities include walking through the rainforest, white water rafting, bungi jumps, flights over the falls, river cruises, and much more.
Lake Kariba Unique scenery of dead trees rising from the depths of this huge man-made lake is especially beautiful during sunset; a popular way to enjoy the lake is on a houseboat with friends viewing the large numbers of crocodile and hippo, going game viewing at the Matusadona National Park or Tiger fishing – the largest Tiger fish ever was caught here and weighed 15.5kg.
Harare:
The capital city offers sightseeing at the National Gallery; National Archives; Queen Victoria Museum; Queen Victoria National Library; National Botanic Garden; Mbare Market; Chapungu village; tobacco auction floors; Mukuvisi Woodlands; Museum of Human Sciences; Harare Gardens; Cecil House; National Handicraft Centre; Africa Unity Square and The Residency.
Kame Ruins:
22 km west of Bulawayo is Kame Ruins, one of southern Africa’s magnificent Late Iron Age ruins, now a World Heritage Site showing the area was the seat of government of earlier civilisations.
Great Zimbabwe National Monument:
Ruins of an ancient African city, believed to have flourished between the 13th and 15th centuries AD, is the only one in existence south of the Sahara and a World Heritage Site; the country has taken its name from it and the famous Zimbabwe birds found at the site has become the national bird and been incorporated in the flag; visit the museum on the site, the Kyle recreational park and do game viewing by car or horseback nearby.
Hwange National Park:
The country’s largest national park, both in size and variety of wild game and bird life; also one of the few remaining elephant sanctuaries in Africa, with herds of up to 100 strong seen; the only area in the country where gemsbok and brown hyena occur in reasonable numbers and where the population of wild dog is thought to be the largest surviving in Africa today.
Mana Pools National Park:
Part of the Middle Zambezi Valley, Mana Pools is host to some of the biggest concentrations of large mammals to be seen in Zimbabwe; it is also renowned for its varied and colourful birdlife and forms one of the last remaining strongholds of the black rhino; game viewing, hunting and canoe safaris are popular.
Bulawayo & Matobo:
Zimbabwe’s second largest city which stands on the site of the royal kraal of Lobengula, last of the Ndebele Kings; view the Natural History Museum, Railway Museum, Mzilikazi art and craft centre, Centenary park, central parks and National Art Gallery; 30 km from the city is Matobo National Park, a unique area of some 2000 square kilometres of gigantic wind-sculpted rock formations. Cecil John Rhodes’ burial site and thousands of ancient rock paintings can also be found here.
Eastern highlands:
Luxuriant natural surroundings characterise this region with mountains, grassy plains, streams, waterfalls, mountain flowers, rare birds, etc. contributing to panoramic views of exquisite beauty attracting nature lovers, hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts; visit the Nyanga National Park, Mutare, Mutarazi Falls, Bunga Botanical Reserve, Bvumba Botanical Gardens and the wilderness of the Chimanimani National Park.
Gona-re-Zhou park:
This park adjoins the Kruger National Park in South Africa and is home to some of the rarest bird and animal life in Africa. The bat-eared fox, suni, Liechtenstein’s hartebeest, nyala and roan antelope are to be found along the famous African elephants of this park, which are unlike any others in the world.
Travel the Globe – What You Need to Know?
The modern day rat race is eating into the mental, spiritual and physical well being of human kind. Monotonous life is taking its toll in the form of heart ailments, depression and many sorts of lifestyle diseases. Is there no cure for these ailments? You cannot throw away your well paid job, as it once again will put you, ironically, into the rat race once again. But you cannot continue living the way you are. So what is the remedy?
Traveling to distant parts of the world and staying away from stress are escapist activities which can rejuvenate and reinvigorate the mind and body. With incomes rising, people tend to set apart some portion of it to travel and see the world. Even not the so well off are also indulging in the practice. The number of travelers and picnickers has seen phenomenal increase in the recent years.
However, traveling can be a cumbersome exercise. Difficulties in finding accommodation for commuting, finding proper hotels that fit your bill, deciding which places to visit, where to dine and another plethora of problems crops out before him. Many a traveler has been forced to shelve his moves due to the tensions involved in arranging his tour.
However, tourism sites and travel operators working like a supermarket have cropped up to help the traveler. A supermarket is a place where all sorts of goods are found. Likewise, these operators take care of each and every aspect, however minute it may be, to make the traveler comfortable. You have to hand over the required money and your personal documents to the operator. The rest is taken care of by the operator. No pulls, no pressures. The only requirement asked for from the traveler is that he should have a heart to enjoy.