Madagascar Group Expeditions
Madagascar is one big road trip paradise. When the journey itself is as thrilling, if not more, than the destination, you’ve found yourself in Madagascar. If you are in search of an adventurous group tour destination, look no further.
Check the suggested routes on our website, and use these as a starting point when creating your Madagascar self-drive group tour.
Do you want to roughen it and include plenty of off-road driving, bush camping, and venturing off into regions untouched by tourism? Then check our sample expeditions below, or contact us to create your own! Travelling in a convoy with a backup car, driver, and mechanic gives you peace of mind and fun when discovering the off-the-beaten paths in Madagascar. Roadtrip Africa has the most sturdiest cars available in Madagascar. Companies like Nomadic Road rely on our vehicles for their Madagascar expeditions.
At Roadtrip Africa, our experienced team is happy to help you plan the trip of a lifetime. So, whether you're with a group of friends, colleagues or a Tour Operator Company, your group self-drive adventure in Madagascar starts with us!
Madagascar off-road expedition
- Enjoy the freedom of the open road
- Backup car, driver and mechanic
- Quality camp gear set
- Combine hotels with bush camping
- 24/7 roadside assistance
- Follow our routes, or design your own with the help of our experts
Madagascar 4x4 Expeditions
When seeking more comfort, review the routes on our itinerary overview page. For those seeking off-road adventures in the remotest regions of Madagascar, explore our sample expeditions below. Or, get in touch with us to create your own Madagascar Overland Expedition!
Ruthless RN5 - From Ivato to Maroantsetra
Driving along the famed Route No. 5 (RN5) is a true off-road adventure that offers an authentic Malagasy experience known only to locals.
Start off easily on the RN2 from Ivato to Andasibe rainforest ( 500 km | 5 hours), the prime location to search for the Indri Indri. The truly impressive call of this lemur makes an eerie wailing sound that carries for kilometres.
The second stop is Manambao, a small fishing village on the shores of Lake Rasoabe. It's the gateway to the Pangalanes Canal and a few beach resorts (135 km | 3,5 hours). Third stop is Mahambo, a tropical seaside town (approximately 4 to 5 hours).
Then, you continue on the RN5, renowned as one of the world's most difficult roads. It stretches alongside the Indian Ocean and presents challenges such as several river crossings, deep sand, slippery red clay, steep inclines, and rocky terrain. Allow approximately 6 days for driving from Mahambo to Maroantsetra, but be prepared for unexpected delays such as washed-out bridges or broken-down ferries. You should bush camp throughout this leg of the expedition.
Fly out from Maroantsetra. Currently, Air Madagascar only operates one flight per week from Maroantsetra to Ivato.
The Wild Southeast - from Ivato to Fort Dauphin or Tulear
This is a truly off-the-beaten-track expedition, and if you ask us, even more scenic than the famous RN5. You'll drive down south along the Indian Ocean and cross many rivers, mountain ranges, dry forests, and sand dunes. You'll enjoy spectacular ocean views and pass quiet river and coastal towns that don't see a single tourist.
The first stop is Ranomafana, a lively tropical town with a stunning riverside setting surrounded by rainforest-covered hills. This is the place to search for the golden bamboo lemur. Continue east to Manakara, a peaceful coastal town. From here to Fort Dauphin is approx 6 days of travel through remote area. You should bush camp throughout this leg of the expedition.
You can fly out from Fort Dauphin (a 10-day expedition) or continue and fly out from Tulear (roughly a 20-day expedition). Air Madagascar services both towns a few times per week.
When driving from Fort Dauphin to Berenty National Park, you'll cross the watershed of Madagascar. The mountain range from the high plateau is the barrier between green and lush, and dry and arid. The scenery changes completely within half an hour. The road from Faux Cap to Cap St. Marie is spectacular. Accommodation options along this journey are a mix of both bush camping and budget hotels. End your Madagascar Expedition with a well-deserved break at a lovely hotel on the beach of Anakao, St Augustin or Ifaty before flying back from Tulear.