Madagascar
Summary
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Madagascar’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
You will need a visa to enter Madagascar. You can get a tourist visa on arrival at the airport. See Visas
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
The cyclone season in Madagascar normally runs from November to April. Coastal areas are particularly affected, and remote areas throughout the country can become inaccessible and suffer damage and contamination to water supplies.
You should monitor the progress of approaching storms and follow alerts and instructions from the local authorities on the BNGRC Facebook page (in French/ Malagasy). See Natural disasters
You will need a visa to enter Madagascar. You can get a tourist visa on arrival at the airport. See Visas
Most visits to Madagascar are trouble-free. If possible, you should travel with established organisations or travel companies who know the terrain and have the capacity to warn of potential hazards and local customs. If hiring a guide in country, the National Tourism Office advises visitors to use the services of members of the Professional Tour Operators Association PTO.
PoliticalPresidential demonstrationselections andare otherdue protestsin canNovember occur,2023. There is currently an increased likelihood of political demonstrations and protests, particularly in the capital Antananarivo. Due to the possibility of violence at these events, you should avoid all protestsdemonstrations and demonstrations.protests. See Political situation.
The cyclone season in Madagascar normally runs from November to April. Coastal areas are particularly affected, and remote areas throughout the country can become inaccessible and suffer damage and contamination to water supplies. You should monitor the progress of approaching storms and follow alerts and instructions from the local authorities on the BNGRC Facebook page (in French/ Malagasy). See Natural disasters
Crime, particularly robbery and theft is widespread in Madagascar. See Crime
Take great care and follow local advice in the south of the country. In the southern triangle between Ihosy, Toliara/Tuléar and Fort-Dauphin the security situation remains tense and the roads are in very poor condition. There have been several attacks on vehicles. If travelling in the area you’re advised to use a recognised tour operator and to avoid travelling at night. Avoid overnight stays in the countryside. You’re advised not to travel by taxi-brousse (bush taxi). If you’re planning to travel to Fort Dauphin you should travel by air instead of via the RN 13. See Local travel - Southern Madagascar
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Madagascar, attacks can’t be ruled out. See Terrorism
Piracy remains a significant threat in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, and has occurred more than 1,000 nautical miles from the Somali coast. See River and sea travel
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission. Consular support may be limited in parts of Madagascar.
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Madagascar’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
You will need a visa to enter Madagascar. You can get a tourist visa on arrival at the airport. See Visas
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
The cyclone season in Madagascar normally runs from November to April. Coastal areas are particularly affected, and remote areas throughout the country can become inaccessible and suffer damage and contamination to water supplies.
You should monitor the progress of approaching storms and follow alerts and instructions from the local authorities on the BNGRC Facebook page (in French/ Malagasy). See Natural disasters
You will need a visa to enter Madagascar. You can get a tourist visa on arrival at the airport. See Visas
Most visits to Madagascar are trouble-free. If possible, you should travel with established organisations or travel companies who know the terrain and have the capacity to warn of potential hazards and local customs. If hiring a guide in country, the National Tourism Office advises visitors to use the services of members of the Professional Tour Operators Association PTO.
PoliticalPresidential demonstrationselections andare otherdue protestsin canNovember occur,2023. There is currently an increased likelihood of political demonstrations and protests, particularly in the capital Antananarivo. Due to the possibility of violence at these events, you should avoid all protestsdemonstrations and demonstrations.protests. See Political situation.
The cyclone season in Madagascar normally runs from November to April. Coastal areas are particularly affected, and remote areas throughout the country can become inaccessible and suffer damage and contamination to water supplies. You should monitor the progress of approaching storms and follow alerts and instructions from the local authorities on the BNGRC Facebook page (in French/ Malagasy). See Natural disasters
Crime, particularly robbery and theft is widespread in Madagascar. See Crime
Take great care and follow local advice in the south of the country. In the southern triangle between Ihosy, Toliara/Tuléar and Fort-Dauphin the security situation remains tense and the roads are in very poor condition. There have been several attacks on vehicles. If travelling in the area you’re advised to use a recognised tour operator and to avoid travelling at night. Avoid overnight stays in the countryside. You’re advised not to travel by taxi-brousse (bush taxi). If you’re planning to travel to Fort Dauphin you should travel by air instead of via the RN 13. See Local travel - Southern Madagascar
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Madagascar, attacks can’t be ruled out. See Terrorism
Piracy remains a significant threat in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, and has occurred more than 1,000 nautical miles from the Somali coast. See River and sea travel
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission. Consular support may be limited in parts of Madagascar.
Update history
2025-04-16 14:08
Updated information on political rallies and protests, security personnel, risks of road travel, and public offences (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-12-13 16:21
Updated assessment that terrorist attacks in Madagascar cannot be ruled out (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-07-30 11:03
Updated information on criminal kidnaps (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-07-25 11:32
Information that rallies are possible, particularly in the run up to planned local elections on 6 November (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-04-10 11:57
Information on Cyclone Garmane and updated information on the political situation (‘Safety and Security’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages).
2024-02-29 15:36
Information on Cholera screenings at the airport (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-12-20 12:52
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-11-27 16:28
Information on the election period and demonstrations, including the the 2023 Presidential elections. (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-10-18 16:07
Information on the election period and demonstrations, including the postponement of the 2023 Presidential elections by one week. (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-10-03 16:42
Information on the election period and demonstrations, including the introduction of security measures in Antananarivo (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-09-07 13:13
Information on the election period and demonstrations (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-07-03 14:19
Addition of information about demonstrations in the Lanirano area to the east of Fort Dauphin (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-06-22 11:31
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-03-09 12:44
Removed information on Tropical Storm Freddy (‘Summary’ page).
2023-03-06 09:47
Updated information about Tropical Cyclone Freddy (‘Summary’ page).
2023-03-02 11:14
Removal of information about Tropical Cyclone Freddy (‘Summary’ page).
2023-02-22 16:28
Updated information about Tropical Cyclone Freddy (‘Summary’ page).
2023-02-21 10:36
Updated information about Tropical Cyclone Freddy (‘Summary’ page).
2023-02-20 11:23
New information about Tropical Cyclone Freddy (‘Summary’ page).
2023-02-16 09:47
Removal of information regarding Tropical Storm Cheneso (‘Summary’ page)
2023-01-20 10:38
Updated information about Tropical Storm Cheneso (‘Summary’ page).
2023-01-18 14:57
Addition of information about tropical storm Cheneso, projected to make landfall on north-east coast of Madagascar by 19 January 2023 (‘Summary’ page).
2022-10-19 09:31
Updated to reflect visa waivers for international travellers staying less than 15 days (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-08-12 10:50
Updated information on COVID-19 entry requirements (‘Entry Requirements’ page)
2022-08-05 15:32
Updated information on local travel in Antananarivo ( ‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-06-23 10:35
Updated information on international travel and cyclones (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Natural disasters’ pages)
2022-06-01 14:42
Updated information on applying for visas (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-20 13:23
Updated information on COVID-19 entry requirements and visas (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-01 17:16
Updated information on COVID-19 entry requirements and the removal of some regional domestic requirements (‘Entry Requirements’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages)
2022-02-23 15:18
Updated information on Cyclone Emnati (‘Summary’ and ‘Natural disasters’ pages)
2022-02-18 16:39
Addition of information on Cyclone Emnati (‘Summary’ page)