Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Admission Fees
National park admission prices for adult foreign nationals depend on the park's category.
Andasibe-Mantadia, Ankarafantsika, Ankarana, Isalo, Montagne d'Ambre, Ranomafana
and Tsingy de Bemaraha parks are Category A; all other national parks are Category B.
Malagasy nationals pay Ar1000 per day. Children pay Ar200 per day.
Admission to other protected areas varies between Ar3000 and Ar20,000 per day for an
adult. Children generally pay a nominal fee.
Guides
Gerald Durrell's hilarious book
The Aye-Aye and I
is an account of the
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust's expedition to capture aye-ayes,
gentle lemurs, giant jumping rats and other endangered species in a bid
to set up captive breeding programs.
Guides are compulsory in all MNP protected areas (national parks, special reserves and
strict nature reserves). You don't need to book a guide in advance: just turn up at the MNP
Office on the day (or the day before if you'd like to discuss itineraries) and you will be
assigned a guide who matches your request (guides work in rotation). Guides are gener-
allywell-trained andhugelyknowledgeable inlocal faunaandflora.AllMNPguidesspeak
French, and an increasing number now speak English. Fees vary depending on the skills
of the guide, the park and the length of walks, but in any case, they are generally clearly
displayed at the local MNP office. Charges of Ar30,000 for half a day's walk is about av-
erage. In other protected areas, guides are not always necessary; fees are generally in line
with those of MNP.
Camping in Protected Areas
Almost all national parks have designated camping areas; the locations are invariably at-
mospheric, but facilities vary from pretty good to really basic.
Don't be put off if you haven't come equipped for camping: most parks rent tents and
you can hire porters and cooks. All you really need is a warm sleeping bag.
If you would like to camp in a park, you should go to the MNP office by at least the
afternoon before, or call them if you're going to arrive later, to organise a guide, porter,
supplies etc.
