Dzaoudzi, Mayotte to Mahajanga, Madagascar 5 - 7 Apr 08

Ankarafantsika National Park

After an early breakfast we left the hotel by 7:15 am (heavy rain shower) and the transfer by car, ferry and car to the airport took about 2 hours. Airport formalities were quick and efficient, landing and parking fees non-existent! We flew through a light rain shower on departure, but soon we were cruising along at FL90 in the sunshine. As we were now closer to Antananarivo, we were in the dead zone for HF contact and could not get through to Tana control on either of the two HF frequencies we were allocated, but finally managed to get through on VHF.

After landing in Mahajanga, we were welcomed by a huge committee of various officials from health, customs, passport police etc., and we had to make out 4 general declarations so that they all could have a copy. After that, and after handing out dollar bills like an ATM machine, we were rewarded by the largest number of receipts of various kinds that I had ever seen at any international arrival: customs (US$ 40), Directions de l'Environnement des Eaux et Forêts (US$20), Service Santé Animale et de Phytosanitaire (US$20), Centre de Vaccinations Internationale (US$30), Police de l'Air et des Frontières (EUR 25). In addition we were then asked for about EUR 50 each for our Madagascar visas. But the immigration staff present was not authorized to sign the visas, only the head of immigration (who was at home in town) could do that. After some discussions with him over the phone, the immigration staff finally decided that since we were ‘both pilots’ we could enter without a visa, so they simply put an entry stamp in the passport.

The immigration staff was also very helpful in locating a taxi for us, so about 2 1/2 hours after landing we were finally on our way towards the Ankarafantsika National park (120 km, 2 hours) in a very rundown old Peugeot which needed regular top-off with engine oil. But it made it to the park entrance. It was very hot and we were tired and sticky. We had a welcome cold shower in our bungalow by Lake Ravelobe, followed closely by coconut punch, beer, dinner then bed.