Trip To Madagascar

[HongKongphooey]

my partner and i are thinking of going on holiday to Madagascar for 2 weeks next Sept/Oct. I have a friend out there. We have been corresponding for 7 years. She has promisied that she will take 2 weeks off work and be our guide and she lives in the south Fort Dauphin which is no where near any trouble spots. However, we will have to fly into the Capital city first and then catch a further flight to Fort D. The foriegn Office are advising against travel unless essential because of various unrest, and tourist crime. I know my friend will do her best but she can't be with us all the time, does anyone think its too risky to travel there or are the Foriegn Office being over cautious?

[bednobs]

well, things have to be pretty bad for the FO to advise against travel, and wouldn't have made that decision unless there was heightened risk i suppose

[emeritus]

I would never ignore FO advice under any circumstances.

[jno]

you've still got nearly a year, so things could change. If you're just transiting at the airport, I imagine you'd be safe enough. Have you asked your friend about safety there?

Also, check your travel insurance. Some policies won't cover you if you go somehwere the FCO has warned against.

[heathfield]

Nor will most insurers pay out for losses or delays due to 'civil unrest'.

[KARL]

Madagascar is definitely worth a visit. However, Foreign Office advice against travel to there should weigh heavily with you and you should not commit yourself to any expense until the advisory is changed to something that makes it possible to insure yourselves. Then take out good insurance and, if you have to change your plans (or encounter difficulties), then you can claim (but almost certainly never get full compensation).

[237SJ]

Well there are plenty of people on Tripadvisor who have been to Madagascar recently and have not come a cropper. If it was me, I would go (assuming nothing drastic happens between now and next September)

[HongKongphooey]

Don't know, sounds a bit dodgy. I definately wouldn;t go without insurance. The Foriegn Office advice is confusing. When I read it again, i think it says to avoid certain parts of Madagascar, not the whole country. I've emailed them to clarify it. Most of the areas they say to keep away from are in the north of the country far from where we would be. But one area is just above Fort Dauphin. Still erring on the side of caution, I know my other half won't want to risk going...

[237SJ]

I went to Sri Lanka when the FO was advising people not to go there. I had a fantastic holiday. We didn`t go into the north of the island because it just wasn`t safe to do so but apart from that, we had a fantastic time. As far as the FO is concerned, the people that are giving the advice are people who spend their life in an office in London and are not "out there". I would listen to what they have to say but I would balance that against what people on Tripadvisor and other forums have so say