Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
»Seats at the back of minibuses will be very uncomfortable for anyone taller than 1.65m
and downright impossible for anyone taller than 1.85m.
»You can buy more than one seat.
»Specific seats can be booked, but you'll have to book at least the day before at the taxi-
brousse station.
»Luggage goes on the roof under a tarpaulin and is tightly roped in.
»Taxis-brousses leave when full, which can take an hour or a day. If you'd like to speed up
the process, buy the remaining seats.
»The choice of a taxi-brousse will often come down to joining the next vehicle to leave,
which will be packed to the roof, or holding out for a decent seat in a later taxi-brousse.
COSTS
»Fares for all trips are set by the government and are based on distance, duration and route
conditions. Ask to see the list of official fares.
»
Never
buy your ticket from a tout - always get it from the cooperative booth at the taxi-
brousse station or from the driver if in doubt. In any case, get a receipt.
»Prices are the same for locals and foreigners. However, fares can vary between vehicle
types.
»Children under five travel free (but must sit on a parent's lap).
SAFETY
Japanese minibus taxis-brousses are generally in pretty good condition (which can't be said
of the ancient Peugeots or
bâchés
plying rural areas), but the one thing to watch out for
are smooth tyres. General safety advice is not to travel after dark, but on longer routes, it
simply can't be helped. On some routes where highway robbery is on the increase, taxis-
brousses are required to travel in convoys at night.
Tours
Madagascar's many tour operators and freelance guides can organise anything from a
three-week discovery trip with car and driver to more specialist tours such as mountain-
bike excursions, walking tours, wildlife-viewing trips, and cultural and historic tours. All
have English-speaking guides and/or drivers.
Following is a nonexhaustive list of reliable companies that can arrange excursions
throughout Madagascar.
Boogie Pilgrim
( 22 530 70;
www.boogiepilgrim-madagascar.com
) Adventurous eco-
tours and camps in several places in Madagascar, including Parc National d'Andringitra
and Canal des Pangalanes. English and German speaking.
