Many people have asked me if Madagascar is safe to visit as a tourist. The short answer is: Yes, Madagascar is safe to visit. At least compared to other undeveloped countries, and even parts of the Western world. For example when comparing certain cities in the United States in terms of criminality, and compared to Australia on poisonous animal life (on that issue, there’s absolutely nothing to fear in Madagascar).
When that’s said, several problems are present in the country, and safety is as much a matter of avoiding bad situations. And in many cases, a matter of common sense.
When traveling to Madagascar, the best way to ensure your safety is to be prepared and research which precautions to take.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the most predominant dangers, and how to avoid them as best possible. Follow this advice, and you’re (almost) guaranteed to feel perfectly safe throughout your trip.
Which Problems To Be Aware of in Madagascar?
Malagasys are in general very peaceful. But Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world, and as you know, desperation feeds crime. Especially petty-crime. Secondly, Madagascar enjoys the pleasure of being a perfect location for natural disasters such as cyclones. Last but not least, political instability does have an effect on the level of safety when traveling there. These are the dangers to be aware of before going there, so let’s take a closer look.
Criminality
In Madagascar, crime has increased in the last few years. Primarily due to cyclones devastating farming areas, and drought, creating a shortage of food. Especially the south of the country is affected by this, so that is, of course, the area with the highest increase.
The capital Antananarivo is also seeing an increase in crimes in various shapes. Especially petty crimes such as theft and pick-pocking are problems tourists should stay alert to. Walking alone at night is something you should avoid when staying in Antananarivo, as well as displaying too many valuables.
In the south and south-west is where you find the most occurrence of armed robberies performed by Dahalos (highway robbers). Dahalos primarily target cars transporting goods worth stealing, but they have also been reported to target personal vehicles to rob the passengers. When traveling in the South, take the right precautions. For example, hiring a car and a local driver who knows what to be aware of and avoid, is a good idea when traveling in these areas.
Other crimes do happen as well all over the country. But they’re centered around the local communities, and as a tourist, you are highly unlikely to be the victim of anything more than theft (which is also unlikely, if you take precautions – more on that later).
In this post, I refrain from bringing in too many statistics. The truth is, that very few reliable statistics exist on Madagascar. For example, two different statistics on the homicide rate of 2019 vary by more than 4 points. WHO’s Global Health Estimates is estimating it at 6,5, while IHME’s Global Burden of Disease estimates it at 1,9.
6.5 is 12% more than the United States, while 1,9 is less than half of the United States and only about double the average of Scandinavia. The difference between the two is huge, and there’s no way to know for sure. What’s important in this article is that you get the tools to feel safe on your travel.
Natural Disasters
Natural disasters happen yearly in Madagascar. Its location as the first stop for a cyclone traveling from Australia makes the impact significant if the cyclone masters enough strength on the way there. It is in general a big problem for the country because the cyclones destroy houses, sanitary installations, and crops. For the Malagasy community, it takes a long time to recover.
As a tourist, it is, of course, dangerous to be located near the center of a severe cyclone, and it should be avoided at all times. But before you let the cyclones scare you off, be aware that the cyclones we see on television are the worst ones – the ones worth reporting. And don’t get me wrong, they CAN be very bad. Horrifying, really. But most cyclones are minor ones not posing a threat.
Severe cyclones hit more often from January to March, but they do happen throughout the year. Many tourists avoid traveling to Madagascar in January and February because of fear of cyclones, but I find that to be a shame. Those months are some of the best to spot wildlife, and there’s no guarantee to avoid a cyclone the rest of the year.
How to manage severe cyclones on your Madagascar Vacation?
Luckily, cyclones don’t happen overnight, and they are monitored closely. When traveling in Madagascar, make sure to stay informed on potential cyclone activity. Media will cover it, and there are many good sources on the internet as well. I like the facebook-page cycloneoi.com and Zoom Earth. They’re great for following cyclon activity closely.
If you’re in bad luck, and the cyclone will hit your area, there’s one safe thing to do: reroute.
If you’re traveling with an agency, they’ll make sure to rearrange your itinerary, so you can keep enjoying your vacation in an area without the threat of impact. If you’ve planned your trip yourself, start re-planning and get going. Make sure to get going in good time before it hits. Before the eye reaches land, there can be days of heavy rain impacting the state of the roads.
Now, I don’t wish to understate the seriousness of a cyclone hitting. For Madagascar and its population, it has severe consequences and is very difficult to recover from. But for a tourist with the capital and support to move away from the impact area, it does not have to be a vacation spoiler – at least not, if taken seriously and reacted upon in good time.
Political Instability
Another thing that has given Madagascar a bad reputation, is political instability. And while it’s true that there’s quite a history of coup d’etats and protests, the last one is 14 years ago, and since then two elections have proceeded somewhat peacefully.
It’s important to remember, that the political situation in Madagascar is not optimal for its citizens, but it rarely affects tourists. What it can mean for you as a visitor, is a higher threat of violence in case of a protest. Therefore, you should always follow public media covering political protests, and stay clear of the action. Other than that, political instability is not likely to ruin your vacation in Madagascar.
Female Travelers & Homosexuals
As a female or homosexual traveler, there are always a few extra threats to consider, when traveling to other countries. One way or another, sexuality is a theme worldwide, and when visiting countries different from ours, it’s a vital perspective.
Starting with homosexuality. Homosexuality is legal and accepted in Madagascar, but LGBTs don’t yet enjoy the same rights as non-LGBTs when it comes to marriage and adoption. Furthermore, the legal age of consent for homosexuals is 21, which is 7 more years than for heterosexuals. So, if you’re 20 or younger and a homosexual, you should think twice before engaging with a Malagasy.
Public displays of affection are not common between any combination of genders. No matter which sexes your couple consists of, you should not refrain from innocent engagement such as holding hands or hugging, but kissing and further intimacy will definitely turn heads.
As for female travelers, being a blond, young, European female myself, I would hate to give bad advice, resulting in a bad situation for someone else. So I want to underline that this is my personal experience as a woman traveling alone in Madagascar and not official advice on how to do it.
When traveling in Madagascar alone, you are bound to get attention. You’re exotic, beautiful, and a symbol of a better future. Even so, I’ve never felt unsafe traveling in Madagascar alone. My experience is that the Malagasy men are interested but respectful enough not to approach. They look, smile, and might say hi from a distance, but never come closer unless I initiate contact – and that’s the experience I’ve had throughout the country, even in Antananarivo. Even alone at a bar in Antananarivo.
I am a sucker for the local experience, so I’ve initiated contact many times and spent a lot of time with Malagasys of each gender exploring the local life. When getting closer to men, an uneven balance becomes clear. They’re prone to express their love after spending just hours together, and I’m obviously not receptive. This could put you in a delicate and uncomfortable position, but my simple reaction has always been: ”Thank you, I appreciate getting to know you, but I do not love you back. I’m sorry”. And that’s proven to be the perfect reaction for a positive outcome. Malagasy men are much more likely to want to marry and protect you than to assault you, yet they’re not too proud to accept a polite no.
The same thing goes for avoiding approaches in crowded markets. A polite, respectful, and calm ”no, thank you” will go a long way.
In general, my experience is that Madagascar is safe for women. Nowhere else in Africa, South America, or Asia have I felt as safe. Hell, even in Italy and Spain I’ve felt uncomfortable at times. Perhaps it is because equality is not an issue in Madagascar, where women are equally respected as men and queens have ruled long before they did in Europe. Or perhaps I’ve just been lucky. So the official advice on my part is to use your common sense, listen to your instincts, and express your boundaries with respect and politeness. And, of course, if you feel insecure; leave the situation and seek sanctuary at a hotel. They’ll be able to help.
Basic Good Advice For Staying Safe
Staying safe in Madagascar – and any other foreign country, for that matter – is really more about common sense than anything else. Follow these few basic rules, and you’d have to be incredibly unlucky for anything to spoil your vacation.
Don’t flaunt your valuables
Expensive watches, diamond earrings, MacBooks, and other valuable items are hardly needed when traveling to Madagascar. If you choose to bring them anyway, do not flaunt them. No reason to tempt more than necessary. Keep electronics in your bag when you’re not using them, and only wear your favorite watch in high-end places.
Wear a small bag
It’s quite simple. A big bag equals more items, which equals the chance of a higher value. So wear a small bag. They are not as hard to resist. A money belt or a small backpack that you can wear on your stomach in crowded places are the best choices. It might not be pretty, but it’s practical!
Avoid walking in Antananarivo center at night
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Antananarivo has the highest percentage of troublemakers, so use your common sense here. It’s not necessarily dangerous to walk in Antananarivo at night – especially not in all areas – but it can be. So try to avoid it, and if you can’t, don’t draw too much attention and listen to your instincts. If you’re looking for a good time, it’s not impossible. Pick one place, and have your hotel arrange for a transfer. That way fun is safe. Easy Piecy!
Respect local customs
The Madagascan population is a mix-match of many different cultures. Every tribe has its own ways, and therefore they are in general very open-minded toward other cultures. But even in Scandinavia, people with extremist behavior reside, so when spending time in other countries, respect the local culture and the people. If rules are presented, follow them. It’s really not that difficult.
Be careful when using your phone in public
It’s best to avoid using your phone in crowded areas. If you do anyway, make sure to hold on to it. A phone is easily stolen from your hand in a crowd, and in Madagascar, smartphones are worth quite a lot. If you ask me, this is the most likely crime to be a victim of.
Don’t leave your luggage unattended
Everyone who’s ever been in an airport knows this one. And it’s true anywhere in the world. Even in Denmark. Do not leave your bags unattended. It’s much too tempting for a desperate soul. Check in your luggage at your hotel. They’ll take care of it for you. If on the road, keep it within sight.
Keep your windows up when driving through crowded places in Antananarivo
Yes, you read it right. This is a new phenomenon. Several tourists have had the bad experience of their phones or bags being snatched through an open window when driving through crowded places in Antananarivo. So even though it gets super hot in the summertime, keep your windows closed enough to make it difficult for anyone to reach in and grab your valuables.
All the above-mentioned factors are essential to know when planning a vacation in Madagascar, but I hope they didn’t scare you off. Again I’ll emphasize, that traveling safely is about making good choices, and nothing makes Madagascar more dangerous than other places if you use your head. You do not have to be afraid. As a tourist, Madagascar is as safe as most places.