Madagascar

Driving permit

You can drive in Madagascar with either:

• a valid Australian driver’s licence, or
• an International Driving Permit (IDP)

You must get your IDP before leaving Australia. If you’re staying in Madagascar for a long time, you can use your IDP to apply for a local licence at the Ministry of Interior. You have a period of one year to convert your licence to a local one from the moment you obtain a resident permit.

Road travel

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), you’re five times more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident in Madagascar than in Australia. Be especially vigilant when travelling on National Routes at night.

Common driving hazards include:

• poorly maintained roads and vehicles
• poor or insufficient street lighting
• people and animals roaming on roads

Carjackings, robberies and other crimes are a high risk when travelling by road. See Safety

Police will check vehicles and people at random throughout Madagascar. You may need to show documents, such as:

• your passport
• vehicle registration
• ownership papers

If you plan to drive in Madagascar:

• check your insurance covers you
• get to know local traffic laws and practices
• carry your identity documents
• guard against carjacking and other vehicle-related crimes

More information:

Motorcycles

Check if your travel insurance policy covers you for riding a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.

Always wear a helmet.

Taxis

Only use hire cars and limousines from providers with a good reputation.

Avoid taxis because armed bandits regularly attack taxis, this is especially the case for ‘taxi be’ and ‘taxi brousse’, which are large vans commonly used by locals to travel both within the cities and to remote areas.

Public transport

Avoid public transport due to traffic safety. There’s also the risk of crime.

Many public buses are not well-maintained. Serious accidents occur.

Protect your belongings, especially when travelling overnight.

Sea travel

In Madagascar’s north, pirates attack all types of ships around Somalia’s waters and the Gulf of Aden.

Sailing vessels are especially at risk of attack.

Don’t travel within 1000 nautical miles (1850km) off the Somali coast.

Check the International Maritime Bureau for piracy reports.

Air travel

Domestic flights in Madagascar are suspended. When flights resume, they may be cancelled with little or no notice. Contact your airline to confirm your flights, especially when flying from provincial airports.

DFAT doesn’t provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths. 

Check Madagascar’s air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

Read the original advice at SmartTraveller.gov.au by Australian Government