Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Labour Day
1 May
Anniversary Day
8 May
Organisation of African Unity Day
25 May
Ascension Thursday
May/June; occurs 40 days after Easter
Pentecost Monday
May/June; occurs 51 days after Easter
National Day
26 June; Independence Day
Assumption
15 August
All Saints' Day
1 November
Christmas Day
25 December
MADAGASCAR'S CULTURAL CALENDAR
Alahamady Be
(March) The low-key Malagasy New Year.
Santabary
(April/May) The first rice harvest.
Fisemana
(June) A ritual purification ceremony of the Antakarana people.
Sambatra
(June to December) Circumcision festivals held by most tribes
between June and September, and in November and December in the southwest.
Famadihana
(July to September) The 'turning of the bones'.
Safe Travel
Crime
Insecurity has increased in Antananarivo since the political crisis started; always
travel by taxi at night and watch out for pickpockets, especially around Ave de
l'Indépendance.
Natural disasters
Cyclone season runsfromDecember toMarch; the east coast is the most
affected but cyc-lones can also hit the west coast. Heed local warnings and seek advice at
the time for transport and activities.
Robbery
There has been a spate of robberies on vehicles and taxis-brousses travelling at
night along the RN2, RN6 and RN34. Police have responded by increasing their presence
on the road, but you should avoid travelling at night, particularly in private vehicles.
