The RN7 One-way - 16 day Madagascar roadtrip

Tonga Soa Madagascar - welcome!

You’ll land at Ivato International Airport and stay at a hotel in Ivato, near Antananarivo. If you arrive in the afternoon, you’ll have time to exchange money, get a SIM card, and load an internet bundle.

Start: Ivato
Destination: Andasibe
Drive: 150 km | 5 hours

After the car handover at your hotel, it’s time to hit the road and start your Madagascar adventure! Your journey begins on the RN2 to Andasibe. You’ll bypass Antananarivo city centre using the ring road. The RN2 is a paved highway and the main route between Tana and the port of Tamatave, so expect some traffic and slow-moving trucks. Watch out for risky overtaking on the winding sections.

The drive takes you through beautiful rainforest-covered hills. If you arrive before 16:30, consider joining a night walk in the park to spot the mouse lemur and other species only active during the night.

Enjoy: Andasibe

Andasibe is the top spot to see the Indri Indri. With its wide-eyed, teddy bear-like face, it resembles a quirky panda more than a typical lemur. If you don’t spot one (though there’s a 99.9% chance you will), you’ll definitely hear their eerie, wailing calls echoing for kilometres. Each Indri only cries up to three times a day because it uses so much energy, making this ritual truly unforgettable.

Explore Andasibe with walks ranging from 2 to 6 hours to search for lemurs. The trails aren’t strenuous. For a bigger adventure, head 17 km north (about a 2-hour drive) to Andasibe Mantadia National Park. It’s much larger and very suitable for hiking enthusiasts.

Start: Andasibe
Destination: Antsirabe
Drive: 300 km | 8 hours

Today’s drive to Antsirabe is a long one, taking you through Antananarivo and onto the RN7. The route features winding roads that cut through rice paddies and small highland villages.

For a lunch break, consider stopping at Coin de Foie Gras in Behenjy, Madagascar’s foie gras hub. Or try the surprisingly great paella (we're not kidding) at El Torro in Ambatolampy.

Once you reach Antsirabe, here are some restaurant recommendations:

• Chez Jenny for the best pizza
• Trianon for classic French cuisine
• Vatolahy for more French dishes
• Conterno for pastries and fresh baguettes

Enjoy: Antsirabe

Explore Antsirabe town and its surroundings. Start with a pousse pousse tour (the Malagasy version of a rickshaw) to visit local craft workshops that are hard to find on your own. Then, hike or mountain bike around Lake Tritriva, a stunning emerald-green crater lake.

Antsirabe is known as the pousse pousse capital of Madagascar. There are three main types:

• The traditional pousse pousse: a cart pulled by a man. Though it may feel awkward, remember it’s his livelihood, and your fare is appreciated.
• The cyclo-pousse: where a bicycle pulls the cab, giving the driver a bit of relief.
• And finally, the motorized pousse pousse: the top of the line and a more modern option.

Enjoy the unique experience of this bustling town!

Start: Antsirabe
Destination: Ranomafana National Park
Drive: 255 km | 6.5 hours

The drive today takes you along another scenic, winding road through highland villages, rice paddies, and rainforest-covered hills.

The best route to Ranomafana is to stay on the RN7 and turn off at Alakamisy onto the RN45. Avoid branching off at Ambohimahasoa onto the RN25, as that road is in poor condition and will slow you down significantly.

Enjoy: Ranomafana National Park

Ranomafana is a small, but lively tropical town set along a beautiful riverside, surrounded by rainforest-covered hills and the scent of fresh flowers. It’s the perfect place to search for the famous golden bamboo lemur.

Just after sunset, join a night walk. With a bit of luck, you’ll spot mouse lemurs, along with frogs, chameleons, and geckos.

Restaurant tip: Manja

Start: Ranomafana National Park
Destination: Andringitra National Park
Drive: 110 km | 5 hours

Head to Andringitra National Park. This drive might be the most scenic yet, especially after Ambalavao, where the highland plateau opens up to deserted grasslands, sandstone massifs, and sweeping horizons.

Take some time to explore Ambalavao, an interesting village known for its community tourism initiatives.

Enjoy: Andringitra National Park

For hiking enthusiasts, Andringitra is a must. Several trails are starting from the camps in the area. One challenging option is the real Andringitra hike, a full-day trek to the peak. Be sure to pack plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat - the sun can be intense!

Start: Andringitra National Park
Destination: Isalo
Drive: 230 km | 4–5 hours

After breakfast, get back on the road toward your next adventure in Isalo National Park. Stop in Ihosy to refuel and grab a simple lunch.

If you check in at your lodge early enough, consider driving to Isalo Window for a stunning sunset. It’s a popular spot, but still a beautiful way to end the day.

Enjoy: Isalo National Park

Isalo is Madagascar’s most popular park, famous for its striking sandstone formations, deep canyons, waterfalls, natural pools and unique native plants.

Roadtrip tip: if you visit the park office one day in advance, you can request a freshly-cooked lunch after your hike, served at the park's campsite. The food tastes great and you shall be surrounded by many curious lemurs.

Start: Isalo National Park
Destination: Tulear and the Coast
Drive: 240 km | 4–6 hours

After exploring Madagascar’s stunning national parks, it’s time to unwind by the coast. And be prepared: the 4–6 hour drive to Tulear will take you past your first sightings of majestic baobab trees!

Keep in mind that Tulear’s coastline is mostly lined with mangroves. For a more classic beach experience, consider heading north to Ifaty or Mangily, or south to St. Augustin.

Enjoy: beach time

If you have time, consider ending your road trip with a three-night beach stay in St. Augustin. The beaches here are more picturesque than Tulear’s, but keep in mind it’s a 1.5-hour drive from the airport. To include St. Augustin in your trip, you’ll need at least 17 days for the full RN7 route.

If your schedule is tighter or if you’d prefer to relax in Nosy Be instead, you can wrap up your RN7 adventure with a two-night beach stay in Tulear. We can arrange a stay at a stunning boutique hotel, just a 15-minute drive from the domestic airport.

Pictured below is a boat trip organised by your lodge in St. Augustin, featuring a visit to a beautiful cenote-like cave for snorkelling, followed by a delicious seafood lunch.

Start: Tulear Airport
Destination: Ivato

Madagascar Airlines offers daily flights from Tulear Airport to Ivato. Please note that this flight is not included in the tour and should be booked separately online.

Since delays and cancellations are not uncommon, it’s wise to plan an extra day in Ivato to avoid the risk of missing your international flight.

Enjoy: Ivato or Antananarivo

Because flight delays with Air Madagascar are common, we always include a spare day in the itinerary. Use this day to buy souvenirs, relax by the pool at Relais de Plateaux, or explore Antananarivo.

The end?

You have a few options to end your Madagascar adventure:

• Catch a domestic flight to Nosy Be for a Seychelles-like beach experience.
• Fly to Diego Suarez, at the northern tip of the island, for fantastic kite surfing.
• Or, if it’s time to say goodbye, head to the airport for your flight back home.