Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
that you are not driving yourself. Night-time driving is particularly challenging: headlights
often don't work or are not switched on. Your driver will know that the single light bearing
down on you is more likely to be a wide truck than a narrow motorbike and react accord-
ingly. The Merina Highway Code (informal version) decrees that drivers must honk their
horns after crossing a bridge to ensure that the spirits are out of the way.
Having said that, a few agencies do rent vehicles without drivers. Adventurous souls
whoaretemptedbythismustbesuretocheckthevehicleoverthoroughlybeforedeparture,
get as much information about the intended route as possible (including where the fuel
stops are), and avoid driving after dark at all costs.
A British driving licence is valid in Madagascar, but to be safe you may prefer to get an
InternationalDrivingLicence.TheseareavailableintheUKfromtheAAandRACfor£5.
Reader Paul Kolodziejski has this questionable advice for self-drivers: 'Stopping at po-
lice checkpoints seems to be optional. There are a lot and I did stop at one but it was a big
wasteoftime.SofromthenonwheneverIwaswavedtostop,Ijustwavedbackpretending
I was replying in greeting. I never had any problems.'
Therearecar-hireoutfitsinmosttowns.Theregionaltouristofficeshaveinformationon
these(oraskyourhotel)andlocaltouroperatorscanorganisevehiclestoo.Forasalooncar,
€65 per day including fuel and driver seems about average. Taxi drivers will often agree to
a full-day hire for around €45.
Bicycle The French for mountain bike is VTT. Bikes can be hired in most major towns.
Alternatively, you can bring your own bike (see Click Here ) or buy one there.
ACCOMMODATION
Inrecentyearsupper-andmid-rangehotelshavebeenbroughtuptointernationalstandard,
and visitors looking for comfort should not be disappointed.
Rates are normally quoted per room in Madagascar, with the notable exceptions of the
two main tourist areas - Nosy Be and Ile Sainte Marie - where the more expensive hotels
tend to quote prices per person . Breakfast is rarely included in the room price, and when it
is it is usually just bread and coffee. There is a tourist tax, vignette touristique , of between
600Ar and 3,000Ar per room per night. This is sometimes absorbed into the price, but is
often additional to prices quoted.
Outside the towns, accommodation is usually in bungalows which are often constructed
of local materials and are quiet, atmospheric and comfortable.
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