Frits from the Netherlands
Rented a Nissan in Madagascar and had a great experience. After some engine trouble, we received excellent assistance and had an easily reachable contact!
From €2,530 pp | 18 days
Got nearly three weeks in Madagascar? Drive the RN7 as a round trip from Ivato and skip expensive domestic flights or one-way fees.
This route takes you through Madagascar’s changing landscapes. Start in the rocky highlands, continue through tropical rainforest, and end at the coast near Tulear. The drive south feels different from the way back north, so the journey stays interesting from start to finish.
Our self-drive tours include airport transfers, car rental, and carefully selected accommodations. Scroll down for a detailed day-by-day itinerary, complete with realistic driving times and route directions.
Prices are per person, based on 2 people sharing a Class A vehicle and travelling off-season. You can choose your accommodation preferences below.
Peak season: July – November.
We recommend booking several months in advance.
Prefer a private guided road trip? Travel with a driver-guide! This is an option you can select in the online booking form.
Book your self-drive tour with mid-range or semi-luxury accommodations – or adjust it entirely to your liking.
Rented a Nissan in Madagascar and had a great experience. After some engine trouble, we received excellent assistance and had an easily reachable contact!
Our driver-guide Jarry was incredible – he was so friendly, kind and funny. Every day he brought amazing energy and taught us so much about Madagascar. In each area he recommended us the best local guides as well as suggesting different stop offs that showed the best of Madagascar. We are so grateful for our time with him!
Almost 3 weeks we travelled in one of the 4WDs in Madagaskar. Communication was very easy with sales center ánd office in country. No problems with the car. Roads in Madagaskar are even slower than Roadtrip tells you, that bad. But loved every minute of it.
For an RN7 round trip, we recommend 18 days with 17 days of car rental, spending an average of 2 nights at each location. Travel days can range from 4 to 8 hours of driving, not including breaks for lunch or photo stops. For a relaxing beach break halfway, we suggest a three-night stay in St. Augustin.
Is time not on your side? You can save a day by staying in Tulear instead of St. Augustin, or reduce the trip by 2 more days by skipping Andasibe.
Do you want to include Nosy Be in your itinerary? Great choice! You can easily catch a flight from Antananarivo for a relaxing beach ending to your journey. Read all about it in our Nosy Be Travel Guide.
Road conditions
The RN7 is a paved road and generally not difficult to drive, but keep in mind that it’s poorly maintained in places. You’ll encounter washed-out sections and plenty of potholes, which can slow your progress significantly.
Don’t feel comfortable driving the RN7 yourself? Then consider hiring a local driver-guide to do the driving for you!
The RN7 is possible to travel all year round. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Peak season runs from July to October, when our cars and popular hotels are booked months in advance. To avoid disappointment, book your tour well in advance (at least 6 months).
Rainy season in Madagascar starts in January and usually ends in March. As the west and east coasts are generally most affected by rains and cyclones, travelling along the RN7 offers no issues.
The coldest months are June and July. Winter daytime temperatures are still very pleasant and even warm along the coast, but at night, temperatures drop to 5-10C in the highlands (Antananarivo, Andasibe, Antsirabe).
For more info, you can check our blog on weather conditions, accessibility, and tourist seasons here.
Accommodation in Madagascar is affordable and full of character. We work with small-scale, eco-friendly lodges that offer good value and a warm welcome. Our team knows Madagascar well – we’ve worked and travelled here for years, so we make sure you’ll stay in places we genuinely recommend.
Many lodges are locally owned, designed with Malagasy touches like handcrafted wooden furniture and local art. It’s not about big hotel chains, but about charm, authenticity, and family-style hospitality. That’s what makes staying in Madagascar so special — and often at a fraction of the price you’d pay in places like Mauritius or the Seychelles.
Curious? Click the orange arrow to preview some of the lodges you’ll stay in.
Our RN7 road trip can be booked in two price categories, balancing price, charm and comfort:
Exploring Madagascar independently is an incredible adventure. But planning a road trip here can also feel challenging, especially if it’s your first time. So where to start?
On this page, we share practical information to help you prepare. You’ll find 11 key topics with tips and frequently asked questions about self-driving and independent travel in Madagascar. They’re designed to help you start your road trip well prepared and confident.
