Major Tourist Attractions: Avenue of the Baobabs, Isalo National Park, Rova of Antananarivo, Amber Mountain National Park
Madagascar Travel Insurance
Arch RoamRight offers travel insurance for U.S. residents traveling to Madagascar. Whether you need travel insurance to help protect the expenses you’ve paid into your vacation, or short-term travel medical insurance while you’re in Madagascar, we have several travel insurance plans for you to choose from. Get started by completing our quote form above.
About Madagascar
The island nation of Madagascar is not only one of the largest islands in the world; it’s also big on ecologic diversity and possesses a fascinating culture. Over 90% of Madagascar’s indigenous wildlife evolved on the island and can be found nowhere else.
The local culture, referred to as Malagasy, sees influences from 18 ethnicities, such as Austronesian, African, Arab, Indian, and even Chinese.
It is believed that Madagascar split from the Indian peninsula nearly 90 million years ago, following the breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana. The first archaeological evidence of human settlement of Madagascar dates back to sometime between 350 BC
and AD 550.
You’ll find the island’s ecology is rather unique, a result of its isolation. You can go from rainforest to desert in just over 100 miles. Some people refer to Madagascar as the “eighth continent,” with its impressive diversity of plants and animals,
many of which are not found anywhere else in the world. Rice is a staple in the Malagasy diet, and you’ll find the diverse ethnic influences are reflected in the cuisine. Roadside food stalls are referred to as gargottes, while sit-down eateries are
hotely.
Despite its relative isolation, getting to Madagascar is not that hard, especially from Europe, as Paris is one of the main gateway cities. With 5,000 kilometers of coastline, there is no shortage of beaches or water-based adventures. Head off-road and
explore the island’s sandstone canyons, forests, and limestone karsts. Or, learn about Malagasy culture by attending a local ritual or religious event.
Only in Madagascar can you:
- Experience some of the southern hemisphere’s best kite surfing and windsurfing spots.
- Watch the annual cheese diving competition.
- Buy Madagascar Vanilla.
- Learn the local Malagasy language.
- Visit the UNESCO site Tsingy de Bemaraha.
- See 70-plus species of lemur.
- Take an island African safari.
- Off-road to national parks that see only hundreds of visitors per year.
- Attend a traditional cultural ritual like a famadihana, a traditional exhumation and reburial ceremony.
Embassy Contact
Address: Lot 207 A - Andranoro - Antehiroka
105 Antananarivo - Madagascar
Phone: (+261) 20 23 480 00