Madagascar Travel Risk Overview
Is Madagascar safe right now? Checked 21 October 2026
Madagascar scores 57/100 on our travel risk index (Elevated). The US State Department rates Madagascar Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution, updated 5 Dec 2025); the UK has no advice against travel; Canada says: exercise a high degree of caution. No change in government advice in the last 7 days.
Madagascar has a Travel Risk Calculator score of 57 out of 100 (elevated risk tier); city-level files are available for 60 cities. The score combines five layers (security, crime and scams, health and medical access, natural hazards, current alerts) built from government advisories and open data. This page also covers nine safety categories (crime, disease & health, government advisory, political & civil unrest, natural disaster & weather, transport & route, environmental, digital security, money safety), the current US State Department advisory, GDACS disaster alerts, CDC health notices for Madagascar, recent news headlines, plus links to every city we have an editorial file for.
Run a personalized Madagascar assessmentAI safety snapshot · refreshed Oct 20, 2026
Madagascar currently holds an elevated baseline risk score of 57 out of 100 and a US State Department advisory level of 2. Travelers should also be aware of an active green forest fire notification in the country, alongside a Level 1 global measles health notice from the CDC.
AI-summarized strictly from the live public-source data below (US State Dept advisory, GDACS, CDC, Google News). Auto-refreshed at most once per day on the first visit. Not official advice.
Live conditions last refreshed: Oct 21, 2026 07:32 UTC
How safe is Madagascar to visit in 2026?
Madagascar currently sits at 57/100 on Travel Risk Calculator's five-layer score, which puts it in the elevated-risk tier. Travelers should plan Madagascar trips more carefully than the global average. Register with your embassy, check the live advisory in the section below, and read the per-city files for your specific destination. The full live US State Department advisory text for Madagascar, current GDACS disaster alerts, CDC health notices, and recent news headlines are shown in the Live conditions section below. For city-specific files (Antananarivo, Sambava, Ampanety), see the City Risk Files section below — they include neighborhood-level scam patterns, transport notes, and medical-access details where available.
Data file
| Source | Editorial regional baseline 2026-05-15 (GPI + State Dept advisory + WHO health/transport + INFORM disaster) |
|---|---|
| Last updated | 2026-05-18 02:25:55 |
| City files | 60 |
Assessment memory
Anonymous assessments help Travel Risk Calculator identify which country and city files deserve deeper review.
| Saved assessments | 0 |
|---|---|
| Average composite | No saved signal yet |
Safety categories
Official Government Travel Advisories
Cross-referenced official travel advice from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, normalized to a unified 1–4 risk scale.
Department of State
Exercise increased cautionto Madagascar due to crime, unrest, and health. Some areas have increased risk. Crime Violent crime, such as armed robbery and assault…
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
FCDO travel advice for Madagascar. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.
Global Affairs Canada
The Health section was updated - travel health information (Public Health Agency of Canada)
UK content contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Canadian advice provided by Global Affairs Canada under open government terms. US advice provided by the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs.
Entry Requirements & Local Laws
Official travel advice summary from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
🛂 Entry Requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Madagascar’s current rules for the most common types of travel. The authorities in Madagascar set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Embassy of Madagascar in London. Passport validity requirements To enter Madagascar, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive. It must also have at least 2 blank pages. Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been report
Summary of UK FCDO advice, updated Sep 9, 2026 · Full requirements →
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Travel Advisory Level History
Historical official advisory level changes over time.
What Changed This Month in Madagascar
Chronological record of verified security, advisory, health, and hazard updates over the past 30 days.
- Oct 21, 2026 GDACS Alert Green forest fire notification in Madagascar (green).
- Oct 20, 2026 GDACS Alert Green forest fire notification in Madagascar (green).
- Oct 17, 2026 GDACS Alert Green forest fire notification in Madagascar (green).
- May 28, 2025 CDC Notice Level 1 - Global Measles (Watch).
- Oct 21, 2026 Score Change Ambariokorano risk score moved from 57 to 58 (Daily recalculation (scoring v2)).
- Oct 21, 2026 Score Change Ambalakirajy risk score moved from 57 to 58 (Daily recalculation (scoring v2)).
- Oct 21, 2026 Score Change Ambarimaninga risk score moved from 57 to 58 (Daily recalculation (scoring v2)).
City Risk Files in Madagascar
Showing 60 destination files with city-specific safety data in Madagascar, ranked by demand and population.
Antananarivo
Tier BAntananarivo
Sambava
Tier BAntsiranana
Ampanety
Tier BAntananarivo
Betsiboka
Tier BMahajanga
Ambohijanahary
Tier BToamasina
Tsaramasoandro
Tier BAntananarivo
Antaly
Tier BToliara
Amparafaravola
Tier BToamasina
Ambatolampy
Tier BAntananarivo
Tanambe
Tier BToamasina
Beantake
Tier BToliara
Ambohidrapeto
Tier BAntananarivo
Belambo
Tier BAntananarivo
Beanana
Tier BToamasina
Ambararatabe
Tier BAntananarivo
Ambatomifanongoa
Tier BFianarantsoa
Ambanja
Tier BAntsiranana
Ejeda
Tier BToliara
Ambohitrimanjaka
Tier BAntananarivo
Antsampandrano
Tier BAntananarivo
Miandrarivo
Tier BAntananarivo
Ambohimiadana
Tier BAntananarivo
Vatolatsaka
Tier BToliara
Alakamisy Anativato
Tier BAntananarivo
Antaretra
Tier BFianarantsoa
Antambohobe
Tier BFianarantsoa
Beparasy
Tier BToamasina
Mahajanga
Tier BMahajanga
Ambatomainty
Tier BToamasina
Itampolo
Tier BToliara
Ambatomiady
Tier BAntananarivo
Ambohijanaka
Tier BAntananarivo
Amboanana
Tier BAntananarivo
Milanoa
Tier BAntsiranana
Ambarakaraka
Tier BAntsiranana
Manohisoa
Tier BAntananarivo
Ambohimitombo
Tier BFianarantsoa
Belampona
Tier BAntsiranana
Ambahy
Tier BFianarantsoa
Amparihitsokatra
Tier BToamasina
Ianapera
Tier BToliara
Fianarantsoa
Tier BFianarantsoa
Toliara
Tier BToliara
Ambatondrazaka
Tier BToamasina
Ambano
Tier BAntananarivo
Tsarazaza
Tier BFianarantsoa
Ambatomirahavavy
Tier BAntananarivo
Ambodinonoka
Tier BFianarantsoa
Miarinavaratra
Tier BFianarantsoa
Manombo Atsimo
Tier BToliara
Antsahavaribe
Tier BAntsiranana
Ambalabe
Tier BAntsiranana
Alarobia
Tier BAntananarivo
Tsiatajavona-Ankaratra
Tier BAntananarivo
Ambohimanga Atsimo
Tier BFianarantsoa
Mahavanona
Tier BAntsiranana
Ambohidronono
Tier BToamasina
Ampondra
Tier BAntsiranana
Ambohidranandriana
Tier BAntananarivo
Ambohidanerana
Tier BAntananarivo
All towns in Madagascar (645 additional local facts pages)
These localities carry verified regional geography, nearest hospitals, airports, and natural hazard records with the country baseline risk score.
Live conditions in Madagascar
Country-scoped real-time data — official advisory from the US State Department, disaster alerts from GDACS, health notices from the CDC, news from Google News. For city-specific weather and air quality, open any city page below.
Official travel advisory
Level 2 · Exercise Increased Caution
Madagascar - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Read full advisory → · US Department of State
Track Madagascar’s advisory
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Traveller notes from government advice
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is legal among persons of at least 21 years old. However public attitudes are less tolerant than in the UK and showing affection in public may receive negative attention.
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Open Government Licence v3.0), updated 9 Sep 2026. Full advice
Local laws and customs
Local taboos (‘fady’)
In many parts of Madagascar, aspects of daily life are regulated by taboos, known as ‘fady’. These vary from one region to another. Fady can range from forbidden foods to restrictions on clothing.
If you plan to visit remote rural areas, get advice from your tour operator or a local guide. They can advise you about how to behave in certain locations.
If you plan a longer stay in a village, first check if you should inform the head of the local authority (‘Fokontany’) and the village head or wise man (‘Ray aman-dreny’).
Personal ID
Always carry your passport with you, as police randomly make ID checks and do not always accept copies. Keep a copy of your passport’s photo page, visa and insurance details somewhere safe, and leave further copies with family or friends in the UK.
Public offences
Read the full UK government advice
Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Open Government Licence v3.0), updated 9 Sep 2026. Full advice
Entry requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Madagascar’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Madagascar set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Embassy of Madagascar in London.
Passport validity requirements
To enter Madagascar, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive. It must also have at least 2 blank pages.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
Check the official entry requirements for your nationality before you travel.
Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Open Government Licence v3.0), updated 9 Sep 2026. Official entry requirements
Disaster alerts
Active Disaster Alerts
-
Green forest fire notification in Madagascar GREEN · country-wide · 2026-10-21
On 10/10/2026, a forest fire started in Madagascar, until 20/10/2026.
-
Green forest fire notification in Madagascar GREEN · country-wide · 2026-10-20
On 14/10/2026, a forest fire started in Madagascar, until 20/10/2026.
-
Green forest fire notification in Madagascar GREEN · country-wide · 2026-10-17
On 12/10/2026, a forest fire started in Madagascar, until 20/10/2026.
-
Drought is on going in Madagascar GREEN · country-wide · 2026-04-30
The Drought notification level is Green.
“~N km away” = event centroid within ~500 km of this location; “country-wide” = a national/regional alert that may not be near this specific city. Source: GDACS · fetched 2026-10-21 07:13:14 UTC
Health notices
Health Notices for this Destination
-
Level 1 - Global Measles WATCH · 2025-05-28
Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel. Country List : Afghan
Source: CDC Travelers’ Health · fetched 2026-10-21 07:32:35 UTC
Recent headlines
No recent national headlines were returned for Madagascar. This is not evidence that conditions are quiet; check local and official sources.
Automated safety monitor
Recent safety-relevant news for Madagascar
Headlines are an early-warning monitor, not risk assessments. Verify material developments with official authorities and the linked publisher.
- General ZooWorld donation helps Madagascar lemur conservation - mypanhandle.com www.mypanhandle.com · Sep 16, 2026 03:06 UTC · via Googlenews
- General Apple expands iCloud+ to include Apple TV and Apple Arcade in Madagascar - Apple www.apple.com · Sep 15, 2026 07:29 UTC · via Googlenews
- Safety Apple’s new child safety features now available - Apple www.apple.com · Sep 14, 2026 23:46 UTC · via Googlenews
- General Madagascar - Power Struggle, Colonialism, Independence - Britannica www.britannica.com · Sep 12, 2026 05:00 UTC · via Googlenews
- General As a mighty El Niño deepens global hunger, early action pays off - UN World Food Programme www.wfp.org · Sep 11, 2026 12:00 UTC · via Googlenews
- Disaster Cyclone Gezani destroys 18,000 homes and causes at least 36 deaths in Madagascar - Arab News www.arabnews.com · Sep 10, 2026 02:38 UTC · via Googlenews
- Crime DOJ takes down Chinese scam network targeting 'every American with a retirement account' - WLUK fox11online.com · Sep 9, 2026 15:54 UTC · via Googlenews
- General Chris Rock Jokes He Needs Another ‘Madagascar’ Movie After Divorce - People.com people.com · Sep 8, 2026 07:00 UTC · via Googlenews
1991–2020 climate normals
Seasonal risk & best time to visit Madagascar
The most weather-stable two-month window for Madagascar is September–October, when typical daily temperatures run from about 11°C to 25°C and monthly rain averages 23 mm.
Seasonal planning flags include heavy rain season in December–February; cyclone season in November–April; monsoon in December–February. These are climate patterns, not forecasts.
Climate normals are planning context, not a short-range forecast. Source: Open-Meteo Climate API. Refreshed Aug 3, 2026.
Calculate risk for these travel dates Compare seasonal windows →
Emergency Numbers
| Police | 117 |
|---|---|
| Ambulance | — |
| Fire | 118 |
| General emergency | 112 |
Backfilled from the public international emergency-number registry. The GSM standard 112 (and 911 in the Americas) is redirected to local emergency services on mobile networks in most countries. Verify locally on arrival.
Latest AI-assisted briefing for Madagascar
Travelers to Madagascar face a moderate safety environment characterized by road safety hazards, potential civil unrest, and crime risks. Planning car journeys requires strict adherence to daytime travel windows due to highway security threats.
Top risk drivers
-
Armed robberies and carjackings on main roads
· transport_route
Significant risks exist when travelling by road in Madagascar, including documented armed robberies and carjackings along main roads and highways, particularly after dark.
-
Civil unrest and demonstrations
· political
Official advisories highlight the ongoing threat of civil unrest and potential demonstrations across the country.
-
Elevated environmental and health factors
· environmental
Environmental and health category scores reflect moderate baseline exposure requiring standard preventive preparations for travel outside major urban centers.
Recent intelligence
- Madagascar Travel Advice & Safety | Smartraveller [source]
- Is Madagascar Safe? 6.0/10 Safety Score (2026) [source]
- Madagascar - SafeTravel [source]
- Madagascar | Travel Advice | Department Of Foreign Affairs [source]
Live intelligence cited 8 public-source snippets. Every claim above is grounded in one of them — verify any specific detail by following the snippet links on the full assessment page.
Frequently asked questions
Is Madagascar safe to visit right now?
Madagascar has heightened risk profile. Plan carefully, register with your embassy, and check the live advisory and per-city details below. Composite baseline: 57/100 (Elevated risk). Always cross-check with your home country's foreign-ministry advisory within 7 days of departure; the live US State Department advisory is shown above. Last refreshed October 2026.
What is the current travel advisory for Madagascar?
The current US State Department advisory level for Madagascar is shown in the Live conditions section above and is re-fetched every 6 hours from the official RSS feed. UK FCDO, Canada GAC, and Australia DFAT also publish advisories — for high-stakes trips, cross-check at least one foreign-ministry advisory in addition to your home country's. See our travel advisory guide for how to read each tier system.
Is it safe to visit Madagascar in October 2026?
For October 2026, the baseline composite for Madagascar is 57/100 (Elevated risk). Live data — advisories every 6 hours, disaster alerts every 30 minutes, health notices every 12 hours, news every hour — is shown in the Live conditions section above. For a personalized risk briefing for your specific trip and traveler profile, use the Travel Risk Calculator linked above.
How are these country-level travel risk scores calculated?
Each category is scored 0-100 from government advisories (US State Dept), crime indices, Global Peace Index data, WHO/CDC health context, and curated regional editorial knowledge. The composite is a weighted sum across nine categories — see /methodology for the full weight breakdown. Live data (advisories, news, disaster alerts, health notices) is layered on top of the baseline at request time.
Where can I find city-specific safety information for Madagascar?
City-specific files for Madagascar are listed in the City Risk Files section above. Each city page covers the same nine categories at city scope, plus city-specific scam patterns, transport-hub safety notes, medical-access detail, and (where available) neighborhood-level guidance. Use the header search to find a specific city directly.
When was this page last reviewed?
The baseline scores for Madagascar were last reviewed on May 18, 2026. Live intelligence (advisory, disaster alerts, health notices, news) refreshes automatically on the cadences described above.
Is this a substitute for an official travel advisory?
No. Travel Risk Calculator provides estimated risk information for planning purposes only. Always check your home country's official travel advisory and any health notices from your national health authority before traveling.
When is the best time to visit Madagascar?
September–October is the most weather-stable two-month window in the stored 1991-2020 normals. The most weather-stable two-month window for Madagascar is September–October, when typical daily temperatures run from about 11°C to 25°C and monthly rain averages 23 mm.
What is the rainy, hurricane, or severe-weather season in Madagascar?
heavy rain season: December–February; cyclone season: November–April; monsoon: December–February.
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Disclaimer
Travel Risk Calculator provides estimated travel-threat information for preparation purposes only. It does not replace official government advisories, medical advice, emergency alerts, immigration rules, insurance advice, police guidance, embassy information, or professional security consultation.