Travel information

ATBC 2019 – Official International Airline Carrier

We are pleased to announce that ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES is the Official International Airline Carrier for the 56th Annual Meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation in Antananarivo, Madagascar, from 30 July to 3 August 2019.

ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES is offering special discounts on airfares for organizers and delegates to attend ATBC 2019, departing from all Ethiopian Airlines points to Antananarivo:

• 15% off on Business class fares
• 10% off on Economy class fares

Tour Code / PROMO CODE 

This discount is available for online and ET ticket office sales under the code ATB19.

Conditions

• Fare is valid for Madagascar ATBC 2019 participants.
• Discount shall apply on ET operated sector only.
• Passenger should present a letter of invitation or other document stating that they are a participant of the ATBC 2019 and a copy the document will be retained at ET office issuing the ticket or to be sent to ET finance office upon request.
• No additional discount applies including CHD, Group and INF.
• All other rules and conditions other than stated in this contract and previously approved for the respective fare used shall apply.

Sales Restrictions

• Fare discount is valid for sales until 03 August 2019.

Travel Restrictions

• Travel to TNR is valid from 20 Jul–03 Aug 2019.
• Travel from TNR is valid from 30 Jul - 13 Aug 2019.

Follow the link to book your flight

https://www.ethiopianairlines.com/AA/EN/event/?Key=Madagascar-ATBC-2019   

Please contact any affiliated organization or agency in your respective country and solicit business on ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES.

ATBC 2019 – Day of Adventure

In partnership with the Local Organization Committee, Madagascar Tour Operators Association (TOP) is organizing a Day of Adventure (DOA) on Sunday, 4 August 2019.

• The Day of Adventure is free for the first 250 registered ATBC 2019 participants.

• For those that wish to take part in the Day of Adventure after the first registered 250 participants, we are asked to charge USD 50 per person. This based on a previous arrangement between TOP and ATBC 2019 local committee.

To participate, booking is required. When you fill in the ATBC 2019 registration form, it is necessary that you specify the tour you want to take part in. The choices include:

• DOA Ampananina
• DOA CITY TOUR
• DOA LEMURS PARK
• DOA Ambohimanga

Participants will be notified about the rank, and the choices will be communicated to the associated Tour Operator.

Please note that lunch, drinks, and other personal expenses are not included at each individual, regardless if trip participation is for free or paid.

ATBC 2019 – Field Trips

ATBC 2019 Field Trips are organized in collaboration with the Madagascar Tour Operators Association (TOP). Interested participants are invited to register by 31 May 2019 at the latest.

Alexandra Travel

• DISCOVERING THE INDRI INDRI & BAOBAB_5 to 12 August_8Days
• THE LARGEST LEMUR & THE CITY OF THE THOUSAND_23 to 25 July_3Days
• THE SPINY FOREST & THE DANCING LEMUR SIFAKA_24 to 27 July_4Days

Discover Madagascar

• ANDASIBE_3 days
• ANDASIBE_4 days

Giga Travel

• Diego Suarez-Ankarana-Ankify-Nosy Be, from 22 to 29 July OR 5 to 12 August_8Days

Madagascar Land of Wonders

• Black lemurs of Andrafiamena & adventure in Ambohitr’Antsingy_22 to 29 July OR 5 to 12 August_8Days
• Tsingy of Bemaraha, lemurs and baobabs_22 to 29 July OR 5 to 12 August_8Days

Madagascar Tourism Expeditions (MTE)

• Discover Andasibe and Ranomafana rainforests_8Days
• The East and the deep South_5 to 13 August_9Days

Mercure Voyages

• ANKARAFANTSIKA_ANTSOHIHY_22 to 27 July_6Days
• TSINGY ROAD_22 to 27 July_6Days

Mil'on Tours

• Andasibe_Antsirabe_Morondava_Tsingy_ 21 to 29 July OR 5 to 13 August_9Days

Ramartour

• Kirindy Mitea_5 to 14 August_10Days
• Ranomafana_5 to 14 August_10Days

Transcontinents

• FORT DAUPHIN_5 to 10 August_6Days
• FORT DAUPHIN_5 to 12 August_8Days

Za Tours

• ANKARAFANTSIKA and ANDASIBE_5 to 12 August_8Days
• ANTSIRANANA ANDASIBE_5 to 12 August_8Days

For all details, costs, etc. associated with these proposed trips, please contact directly the associated tour operator.

Visitor Information

VISA APPLICATION AND ENTRY INTO MADAGASCAR

We invite participants to check VISA application procedures by contacting embassies in their country - the list of embassies is available on http://www.mae-gov.mg/index.php?fr/static3/representations-exterieures

Visas can be obtained at the Ivato International airport upon arriving in Antananarivo and the prices are as follows (subject to slight increases and can also be paid in the equivalent in USD):

Regarding VISA fees:

• 0 to 30 days:   31€
• 31 to 60 days: 39€
• 60 to 90 days: 54€

Certificate of Yellow Fever vaccinations is required for individuals travelling from countries listed as those with Yellow Fever problems or those that have visited such countries in the past six months.

AIRLINES

Airlines that operate flights to Antananarivo include :

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Language

The official languages are Malagasy and French. Some people working in the tourist industry and government officials will have a reasonable command of English.

Population in Madagascar

Approximately 26 million inhabitants.

Weather

The climate is tropical along the coast, temperate inland, and arid in the south and west. Madagascar has two seasons: a hot, rainy season from November to April, and a cooler, dry season from May to October. The east coast with a sub-equatorial climate and, being most directly exposed to the trade winds, has the heaviest rainfall, averaging as much as 3500 mm annually.

During the ATBC in Antananarivo, day temperatures will range from highs of about 20-22°C and lows to about 10°C, with some chance of rain, particularly in the morning.

Madagascar has two seasons: a hot, rainy season from November to April, and a cooler, dry season from May to October. The east coast has a sub-equatorial climate and, being most directly exposed to the trade winds, has the heaviest rainfall, averaging as much as 3,500 mm annually.

Before your trip, we recommend you to visit http://www.weather.com/ for the latest weather report.

Time Zone

Madagascar observes the Eastern Africa Time, which is a 3:00 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time

EAT - UTC/GMT +3

Currency

The official currency of Madagascar is called “Ariary”, it has the ISO standard code of MGA and is identified by the symbol “Ar.”

You can exchange money upon your arrival at the airport, which has several official offices for these services.  At different places in town, including the airport, people will ask if you want to exchange money.  This is associated with the illegal “black market” and it is strongly suggested that you exchange money at official offices.

Different banks, with ATMs, are operating in Antananarivo, including Ivato airport, and other main cities: BMOI, BNI Madagascar, BFV-SG, BOA, and MCB.  At most major hotels or in the near vicinity, one can find ATMs

VISA and MASTER cards (distinctly less so than VISA) are accepted in top hotels, travel agencies and major craft shops in the capital and other major towns. USD and Euro are accepted for most high-end transactions.

Electricity and Voltage

Plugs: C, D (see images); voltage: 220 volts. For electric devices purchased in the United States and other countries with 110-120 volt electricity, a converter and plug adapter are needed if the appliance does not have dual voltage. Volt electricity with 220-240 (such as Australia, Europe, and the UK) only a plug adapter will be required.

Telephone

The international telephone code for Madagascar is +261.

Internet

Some hotels have free Wi-Fi.

Public transportation

For moving around Tana, it is possible to take city buses or taxis.

Official taxis are beige and have a sign on the car roof. Taxis do not have meters, you should agree on the price before getting in. Fares start at 5,000 Ar depending where you are going. Night fares are more expensive.  At the airport there are also official white taxis (taxi agréé) that can be used for transport to hotels in town (about 25 km from the airport to the center of town), and prices are fixed.  Recently the price was 60,000 Ar for a one-way trip into town.