{"id":162,"date":"2026-07-02T14:50:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T14:50:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/en\/madagascar\/travel-notes\/"},"modified":"2026-09-02T10:23:18","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T10:23:18","slug":"travel-notes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/en\/madagascar\/travel-notes\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel Notes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\" tb-wysiwyg tb-block align-left background-light pattern-custom variant-none tb-collapsible-margins\" id=\"wysiwyg\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/sites\/154\/2026\/08\/RTA-colors-1.png.webp)\" data-smush-webp-fallback=\"{&quot;bg-image&quot;:&quot; url(https:\\\/\\\/rta.travelblox.eu\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/154\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/RTA-colors-1.png)&quot;}\">\n    <div class=\"inner-block\">\n        <div class=\"tb-wysiwyg__inner \">\n            <div class=\"inner-block\">\n                                <div class=\"text-part wysiwyg\">\n                                                                                                            \t<div class=\"translation-block\"><h2>Madagascar Travel Notes<\/h2>\n<p><strong data-start=\"166\" data-end=\"223\">Your adventure in Madagascar is about to begin!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re excited you\u2019ve chosen to explore Madagascar with Roadtrip Africa. Before you hit the road, we\u2019re here to make sure you feel prepared and confident for the journey ahead.<\/p>\n<p>Everyone on our team has travelled extensively across Madagascar. We know what it\u2019s like to be behind the wheel, and what information makes all the difference.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why we created these Travel Notes. Inside, you\u2019ll find practical, on-the-go information to help you plan each day with ease:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"704\" data-end=\"868\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"704\" data-end=\"735\">Driving times and distances<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"736\" data-end=\"778\">Where to find ATMs and petrol stations<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"779\" data-end=\"818\">Recommended picnic stops and sights<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"819\" data-end=\"868\">Tips for when Google Maps needs an extra hand<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We\u2019ve organised everything by destination (parks, towns and highlights), listed in alphabetical order.\u00a0Simply start at your first stop and follow along!<\/p>\n<p><strong data-start=\"1026\" data-end=\"1040\">Important:<\/strong> When GPS directions aren&#8217;t reliable, or a little explanation comes in handy, we\u2019ll point it out clearly. Otherwise, feel free to rely on Google Maps.<\/p>\n<p>Before you start your journey, don\u2019t miss the general Roadtrip tips below, filled with advice to make your travels smoother.<\/p>\n<p><strong data-start=\"1284\" data-end=\"1350\">Enjoy the ride and travel safe!<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\t                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\" tb-textimage1 tb-block align-left background-light pattern-custom variant-none tb-collapsible-margins\" id=\"general-roadtrip-advice\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/sites\/154\/2026\/08\/RTA-colors-1.png.webp )\" data-smush-webp-fallback=\"{&quot;bg-image&quot;:&quot; url(https:\\\/\\\/rta.travelblox.eu\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/154\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/RTA-colors-1.png )&quot;}\">\n\t<div class=\"inner-block tb-fade-in tb-fade-in--subtle\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"text-part\">\n\t\t\t<h2>General Roadtrip advice<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"translation-block\"><p><strong data-start=\"141\" data-end=\"239\">A little preparation goes a long way. Here\u2019s how to make your Madagascar Roadtrip smooth and safe.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Before you hit the road, for all routes<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Driving times are approximate and may vary depending on the exact location of your accommodation. Always check its location before setting off, as you may sometimes pass your accommodation before reaching the town or destination mentioned in your travel plan.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Visa<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Most travellers need a visa for Madagascar. The easiest and secure way is to buy your visa upon arrival. The current fees are 80,000 Ariary (approx. \u20ac35) for a 30-day visa and 100,000 Ariary (approx. \u20ac40) for a 60-day visa. You might find several e-visa websites online, but be aware: they could be scams, and even if you\u2019ve paid online, you might still be asked to pay again at the airport.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Yellow fever vaccination<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This one only applies if you come from a country where yellow fever occurs. If that\u2019s the case (age 1+), you\u2019ll need proof of vaccination at the border. Just transited through such a country? Then you don\u2019t need it. The good news: the vaccine protects you for life. Find the list of countries with a risk of virus transmission <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/yellow-book\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Stay connected<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Before you start your roadtrip, make sure you get a SIM card and load it with sufficient data for internet and phone calls. Madagascar has three mobile network providers supporting the 4G network: Orange, Airtel and Telma. Telma has the best coverage.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Use mobile money<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Madagascar is a cash economy. A smart way to manage your money safely while travelling here is to use mobile money\u2014it works much like a banking app you\u2019re used to back home.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s how it works: when you buy a local SIM card and load it with airtime and an internet bundle, you can activate mobile money in your settings. Once set up, you can load cash onto your phone at any Telecom kiosk, which are easy to find across the country.&nbsp;You can then pay for things like restaurant bills directly from your phone. Super handy and safe!<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Plan your drive wisely<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The driving times we mention are just that: driving times. Always add extra time for fuel stops, lunch breaks, and unexpected delays. You&#8217;ll also notice that our times are longer than what Google Maps suggests. That&#8217;s on purpose. Google is often too optimistic in Madagascar, especially on smaller roads and in national parks. Our estimates reflect what you can realistically expect behind the wheel.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Use smart navigation<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Combine Google Maps with the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/maps.me\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Maps.me<\/a> app. It&#8217;s a free app that allows you to use GPS offline.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Essential tools on board<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Your car comes with a roadmap of Madagascar. Handy when mobile coverage drops.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Fuel up smart<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When exiting a village, there is always a signpost indicating the distance to the next village and petrol station. Double-check this to make sure you don&#8217;t run out of gas. To be on the safe side, we recommend you always fuel up when you leave a village.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Stay secure<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Always lock your doors in cities and towns. Don\u2019t leave valuables unattended in the car.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Be prepared<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Always carry cash,&nbsp;water and a charged mobile phone.&nbsp;Along the west coast, you can expect a few unofficial stop points where &#8216;toll&#8217; is charged.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Start early and no driving after dark<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In Madagascar, it gets dark around 6 PM. Potholes are difficult to see in the dark, and approaching traffic uses blinding high beams. When you have a long travel day ahead, depart early (6-7 AM) to avoid ending up driving at dawn.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"inner-block\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"tb-image-part\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img src='https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/sites\/154\/2026\/07\/laura-jumping-baobab-de-avenue-1-1536x1152.jpg.webp' width='1536' height='1152' alt='Women Jumping Baobab De Avenue roadtrip madagascar' srcset='https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/sites\/154\/2026\/07\/laura-jumping-baobab-de-avenue-1-1536x1152.jpg.webp 1536w, https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/sites\/154\/2026\/07\/laura-jumping-baobab-de-avenue-1-300x225.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/sites\/154\/2026\/07\/laura-jumping-baobab-de-avenue-1-1024x768.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/sites\/154\/2026\/07\/laura-jumping-baobab-de-avenue-1-768x576.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/sites\/154\/2026\/07\/laura-jumping-baobab-de-avenue-1-2048x1536.jpg.webp 2048w, https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/wp-content\/smush-webp\/sites\/154\/2026\/07\/laura-jumping-baobab-de-avenue-1-16x12.jpg.webp 16w' sizes='(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 570px' loading='lazy' decoding='async' data-smush-webp-fallback='{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/rta.travelblox.eu\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/154\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/laura-jumping-baobab-de-avenue-1-1536x1152.jpg&quot;,&quot;srcset&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/rta.travelblox.eu\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/154\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/laura-jumping-baobab-de-avenue-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\\\/\\\/rta.travelblox.eu\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/154\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/laura-jumping-baobab-de-avenue-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\\\/\\\/rta.travelblox.eu\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/154\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/laura-jumping-baobab-de-avenue-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\\\/\\\/rta.travelblox.eu\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/154\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/laura-jumping-baobab-de-avenue-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\\\/\\\/rta.travelblox.eu\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/154\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/laura-jumping-baobab-de-avenue-1-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\\\/\\\/rta.travelblox.eu\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/154\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/laura-jumping-baobab-de-avenue-1-16x12.jpg 16w&quot;}'>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":170,"featured_media":1862,"parent":130,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"guide-section","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-162","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"page_package_ids":"","is_main_package_page":false,"additional_linked_packages":[],"feed_page_to_atlas":true},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/162","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/170"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=162"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/162\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3696,"href":"https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/162\/revisions\/3696"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/130"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1862"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rta.travelblox.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=162"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}