​Malaria & Safety – Ankarana SR

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Insight guide to Madagascar.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Insight Guide to Madagascar.

Philip is the author of the Insight Guide to Madagascar.

Safety

Ankarana Special Reserve is very safe to visit in our opinion. It is rare to encounter crime in any of the established parks and reserves in Madagascar, and Ankarana is no exception. When visiting towns between parks, normal safety precautions should be followed. Read ‘Cities & Urban Areas: Safety Precautions’ below for more information.

For current information about safety in Madagascar, check the government travel advisories (see the ‘Governments’ Travel Advice for Madagascar’ link below).

Malaria & Vaccinations

Several vaccinations are recommended before coming to Madagascar. Malaria is a real concern in Madagascar and in Ankarana in particular. The risk is highest in the Wet season (November to April) when there are many mosquitoes. Aside from taking antimalarials, the use of mosquito repellent (those containing DEET are best) and covering up in the evening are highly recommended.

Wildlife Viewing

There are no dangerous mammals in Madagascar, but it does have some beautiful, non-venomous snakes, and guides regularly show them to visitors. There are some venomous spiders on the island, and the rocky terrain of Ankarana is a prime habitat for scorpions. When camping in the reserve, avoid walking around barefoot and check your shoes before putting them on. However, scorpion stings and spider bites are very rare.

For more information, please read the ‘Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions’ below.

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