The Best of Madagascar: A Biodiversity Hotspot

After you enroll, we’ll ask you to provide or update your personal information and preferences, which includes your health information, lodging and meal preferences for your program.

A signed liability waiver is required before travel by the program provider (EXPLORE, Inc.); this form is found at the back of the first informational mailing.

A passport is required for this program. It must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

This information about travel documents pertains to participants holding U.S. passports. Non-U.S. citizens should refer to their country's requirements to ensure they have the necessary documentation for travel.

Madagascar

• Your passport must have 3 blank passport page(s) for entry/exit visas in this country.

• A travel visa is required and it may be obtained upon arrival.

• The cost of this visa is not included in the cost of your trip.

• You’ll receive detailed information about your required entry documents in the information packet we send after you enroll.

Please note: A tourist visa can be obtained upon arrival at the Antananarivo airport. For stays of up to 15 days in length, the visa cost is $35 (or €30). For stays of 16-30 days, the visa is $41 (or €35). Tourist visa charges can be paid upon arrival at the Antananarivo airport in USD cash, euros cash or Visa / MasterCard. If your intended stay in Madagascar is 15 days, we recommend paying for the month-long visa (at $41 / €35) instead of doing the shorter visa, to avoid the bureaucratic hassle of trying to extend your visa should there be any plane delays at the end of your trip.

Madagascar has a healthy climate and there is no yellow fever, nor many other tropical diseases. Those who have traveled to or through any yellow fever infected area within a week of coming to Madagascar are required to carry certification of yellow fever vaccination. Precautions against cholera are recommended (eating only cooked vegetables and well heated food, and washing hands before eating). Malaria does occur in Madagascar. It is essential that you consult your health care professional as to which medications are recommended against malaria. S/he will probably suggest a prophylactic course of one of the anti-malarial drugs, which may need to be started two weeks prior to departure. For this reason, you should consult with your health professional well in advance of your departure. Tell your physician that you will spend 13 days in malarial areas. Since there are a few long boat transfers and drives during this program, some of which are on bumpy roads, pack motion sickness medication if you are sensitive. If you have any unusual prescriptions, carry a letter from your physician explaining your need for the drug. Make sure your medication supply will be sufficient to last the entire trip. Avoiding scented bath products will deter bugs, but if you are allergic to bee stings or other insect bites be sure to bring a sufficient supply of antidote. The sun in Madagascar can be strong. Please bring sunscreen (25 SPF or better), as well as a soft, wide-brim hat with tie. Also make sure to bring protection against mosquitoes. A repellent should contain at least 30% DEET. During the hikes and walks in the national parks, bathroom stops are "au natural." For women who find squatting uncomfortable, there is a “female urinal” product that allows women to go while standing up. There are various styles available that can be found on-line or in travel stores. Contact EXPLORE, Inc. with questions or concerns.

If Road Scholar is arranging your air travel to and from the program, and you travel on the scheduled start and end dates, you’ll receive free round-trip transfers from the airport to the hotel.

Arrival day is on October 14, 2026

Meet the group at Palissandre Hotel in Antananarivo

Start of Trip:  2:00 p.m. hotel check-in; 6:30 p.m. Orientation followed by Welcome Dinner.

Getting to the site: Arrival transfers from Antananarivo’s Ivato airport to the hotel in Antananarivo are provided by hired minivan for participants who a) book their flights through Road Scholar and b) are arriving on the correct start date; transfer time is approximately 45 minutes. If you have booked your own international flights, you are welcome to get on the scheduled group transfers if times coincide. Please send full flight details to EXPLORE, Inc for coordination purposes; email them to roadscholar.programs@exploreinc.com. Taking a taxi is not recommended for safety reasons. EXPLORE, Inc can help arrange a separate transfer if desired.

Your trip ends on: Monday, October 26, 2026 in Antananarivo at Relais des Plateaux

End of Trip: 11:00 a.m. after breakfast; 11:00 a.m. hotel check-out.

Getting to the airport: Departure transfers from the last hotel in Antananarivo to the Ivato Airport are provided for all participants; transfer time is approximately 10 minutes. Transfers will be provided by the hotel’s complimentary shuttle system. If you have booked your own international flights, please send full flight details to EXPLORE, Inc for coordination purposes; email them to roadscholar.programs@exploreinc.com. EXPLORE, Inc can help arrange additional hotel arrangements, too, if needed.

Information if you are purchasing your own airfare: Participants who have not purchased airfare through Road Scholar are responsible for making their own transfer arrangements to the first site at the beginning of the program, as well as from the last site at the end of the program. The Information Packet Road Scholar sends in advance of the program includes details needed to make your transfer arrangements. If you wish to purchase airfare through Road Scholar, please call (800) 241-1404. Please note: In the unlikely event Road Scholar must make changes to the program's arrival or departure details, we will notify all participants as soon as possible. Participants who have purchased Road Scholar airfare are protected against airline change fees; however, anyone who has not purchased Road Scholar airfare will be required to make their own adjustments and may incur fees imposed by the airline.