Sub Saharan Africa

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  This should include cover for medical evacuation by air ambulance.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See Travel Insurance.

 

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then see How We Can Help.

 

Representation

 

 

Registration

 

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

 

Money

 

Limits on the amount of money which can be changed at one time are still in place, although these are gradually being relaxed. You should check with individual banks.  Western Union operates for inward currency transfers only.  You should also check opening hours of Western Union agencies as these may vary.  Some banks will only change Euros or US Dollars. Travellers' cheques are accepted by most banks. However, there have been cases of fraudulent American Express travellers’ cheques in circulation and some banks now refuse to accept them. The local bank, BMOI, will not accept travellers’ cheques issued by Thomas Cook.

 

Credit cards are accepted at a growing number of outlets in Antananarivo and in the provinces, but their use is still not widespread.  A charge of up to 7% of the transaction value is levied.  ATM's are increasingly available around the capital and in some of the larger towns.  A charge of about 1.5% is made.

 

The maximum amount of Malagasy currency you can take out is 400,000 Ariary (approximately £120).  Some banks will not exchange local currency back into foreign currency. Youshould ensure you are not left with large amounts of Malagasy Ariary at the end of your stay.  Keep transaction slips showing amounts of foreign currency transferred in local currency.  Foreign currency of more than 7,500 Euros in value must be declared on arrival.