13 car rental days
Northern Madagascar is the most lush and tropical region of the island, but most visitors only fly in and out from Nosy Be. So you’ll be lucky to have the road and all its sights to yourself—a true off-the-beaten-path experience!
This Madagascar itinerary is recommended as a one-way road trip. Start from Ivato International Airport and return your car at Ankify, the ferry point to Nosy Be.
Scroll down to see the Madagascar day-to-day itinerary with accurate driving distance & times.
Hit the road with confidence in one of our sturdy 4x4s – perfect for driving Madagascar’s rugged roads! Do you prefer to sit back and enjoy the ride? We’ll help you hire a local driver-guide to show you the way.
At Roadtrip Africa, we own and service all our cars. No middlemen, just well-maintained vehicles you can trust. Need help on the road? Our 24/7 roadside assistance and nationwide workshop network have got you covered.
The car was very sturdy, with a rooftoptent on top and we were able to drive even on the most hard roads! Also the level of service is very very high! You have a fixed contactperson on the ground (shout out to Peter) with whom you can have regularly contact and who is able to answer all your questions!
Great contact with the team both before and during our trip. Car in excellent condition and prepared for the tough conditions in Madagascar. Would highly recommend to anyone interested!!!
Madagascar is incredible, and we had an amazing road trip to the north with our driver, Jarry. Everything went smoothly, and we absolutely recommend Roadtrip Africa as a service for a vacation in Madagascar!
This one-way road trip to Northern Madagascar requires a minimum of 13 rental days.
Domestic Flights
The only domestic airline is Madagascar Airlines, and delays or cancellations are common. Always plan an extra day in Ivato before your international flight to avoid missed connections.
Road conditions
Like everywhere throughout the island, asphalt roads in Madagascar are poorly maintained. The road from Ivato to Ambanja is in a particularly bad state; potholed, eroded and with sections washed away, significantly reducing the distance you can cover in a day. The first days from Ivato to Ankarana National Park involve long driving days with few sites of interest along the way. The rest of the itinerary involves modest driving hours a day. Consult our driving & distances table when planning your trip. From Ambanja to Diego Suarez, the road is in good condition (for Madagascar standards, that is…)
With the newly restored RN5a, exploring the stunning SAVA region (Sambava, Andapa, Vohemar, and Antalaha) is possible once again. Known as the Vanilla Coast, this area is where the Indian Ocean meets dense jungle, offering an incredibly scenic and off-the-beaten-path road trip.
The itinerary – 7 extra days
From Ambilobe, head to Sambava (approximately a 7-hour drive). Orchidea Beach is the best hotel in town, and for Marojejy trekking information, you can stop by the local tourism office at Hotel Mimi. Spend the rest of your day strolling along the beach or exploring the small town centre and market.
The park office for Marojejy National Park is about a 3-hour drive from Sambava. Here, you can book guides and porters for your trek. Marojejy, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2007, offers hiking trails with options for a day hike or a multi-day trek. Along the way, you’ll pass natural swimming pools, spot silky sifakas, and enjoy breathtaking viewpoints.
After your jungle adventure, it’s time to return to “civilisation.” Drive back to Sambava for an overnight stay (about 3 hours), and break up the return journey along the Northern route with a stop in Vohemar, a regional trading town surrounded by cacao and vanilla plantations (about 3 hours). From Vohemar, it’s approximately a 4-hour drive to Ankarana National Park.
In total, plan to add about 7 extra days for this extension.
The overland route from Antananarivo to Nosy Be (Ankify) and Diego Suarez is accessible from approximately June – December.
Around Nosy Be, humpback whales can be seen from mid-August until the end of October. Turtles and dolphins are regular visitors year-round.
Kitesurfing and windsurfing season in Northern Madagascar runs from mid-March to mid December and it peaks between June and September when the wind is strongest.
Hiking in Marojejy National Park is best done from April to May and from September to December.
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.
