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Heading to other parts of the world can be a beautiful and enriching experience for many people. That’s because international travel can open your eyes to new cultures and help you to develop a better understanding of world around you when you return home.
But, not everywhere is safe for U.S. travelers at the moment. As such, the U.S. government keeps a close eye on certain regions that they believe could post a risk for traveling Americans, issuing travel alerts when unrest, crime, or natural disasters make it unsafe to visit. Recently, our government issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Madagascar in Africa, asking Americans to rethink their travel plans before heading to the island nation.
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Uncle Sam is asking travelers to “reconsider travel to Madagascar,” after political unrest made certain regions of the country unsafe. “Protests occur throughout the country, and they can turn violent without warning,” the U.S. Department of State website says. “Protesters have also engaged in rioting, looting, vandalism and destruction of property. Police responses to protests and large gatherings can quickly become violent.”
Those who are already there, or who are unable to change travel plans, are being asked to stay where they are and avoid any areas where demonstrations are happening or planned, especially after dark.
Additionally, the website urges travelers to be aware of their surroundings since crime rates are on the rise. “This includes armed robbery and assault,” the website continues, noting that they are seeing an increase in crimes:
In remote areas
Along major roads across the country
In the southern and western portions of the country
If you are worried about your safety while traveling, consider reaching out to the U.S. Embassy in Antanarivo. You can reach them by phone at +(261) (20) 23-480-00, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time Monday through Thursday, or Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Outside business hours, you can reach the embassy via email at AntanACS@state.gov. However, if you’re experiencing an emergency or need an immediate response, you should use the phone line instead. That being said, you shouldn’t expect too much help. People traveling to areas that are under travel advisories are typically on their own in the event of an emergency, which is one of the reasons why the Department of State is asking travelers to reconsider visiting the area at this time.
Related: Don’t miss these 20 ecotourism hotspots around the globe
There’s a reason why many people opt to head to Madagascar, and it has a lot to do with some of the sights you can only see when visiting this region of Africa. According to Vox, the island nation has a number of animals that can’t be found anywhere else, like lemurs. The area is also home to some stunning flora as well, including the baobab trees, which are also known as the “tree of life” due to their impact on the local ecosystem.
Both of these things can make the island nation seem like a dreamy destination during times when it is safer to travel there.
This story was originally published by TravelHost on Nov 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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