The RN7 One-way - 16 day Madagascar roadtrip

The RN7 is Madagascar’s most iconic route, taking you on an adventurous journey from Antananarivo down to Tuléar. Along the way, you’ll experience various beautiful landscapes and national parks.

  • Pass through highland villages, rice paddies, and rainforest hills
  • Soak in the mountain views of Andringitra National Park
  • Hike the desert plains and canyons of Isalo National Park
  • Unwind on the beautiful beaches of Tuléar

This Madagascar self-drive tour includes an airport transfer, one-way car rental from Antananarivo to Tuléar, and handpicked accommodations. Scroll down for a detailed day-by-day itinerary, complete with realistic driving times and route directions.

This self-drive tour is for you if...

  • ...this is your first time in Madagascar
  • ...you're eager to spot Madagascar's extraordinary plants and wildlife

You'll also love this if...

  • ...you're a hiking enthusiast
  • ...you want to combine your trip with a Nosy Be beach add on

Day-to-day itinerary | The RN7 One-way

Day 1

Day 1 of 16

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.

Day 2

Day 2 of 16

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.

Day 3

Day 3 of 16

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.

Day 4

Day 4 of 16

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:

Day 5

Day 5 of 16

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!

Day 6

Day 6 of 16

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.

Day 7

Day 7 of 16

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

Day 8

Day 8 of 16

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.

Day 9

Day 9 of 16

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!

If you have time, consider staying a few extra days to complete the Imarivolanitra trek, which takes 2–3 days and offers an unforgettable experience.

Day 10

Day 10 of 16

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.

Day 11

Day 11 of 16

Enjoy: Isalo National Park

Isalo is Madagascar’s most popular park, famous for its striking sandstone formations, deep canyons, waterfalls, and natural pools, all surrounded by unique native plants. The Piscine and Cascade hiking trail can be busy during peak season. For a more off-the-beaten-path adventure, consider Momo Trek, which offers multi-day hikes with camping in the park’s remote areas.

Other activities include horse riding and climbing the Via Ferrata. Check with Relais de la Reine for more details.

Day 12

Day 12 of 16

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.

Day 13

Day 13 of 16

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.

Day 14

Day 14 of 16

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.

Day 15

Day 15 of 16

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.

Day 16

Day 16 of 16

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.

Explore the beauty of Madagascar. Watch our RN7 One-way road movie.

Experiences from fellow Roadtrippers
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Roadtrip through Madagascar

Anouk from the Netherlands

On our 13 days trip from Tana to Tuléar we saw so much of the beautiful island of Madagascar! Stunning landscapes, and extraordinary and unique flora and fauna. Our excellent driver Mika explained us a lot about the customs and way of live of the...
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I highly recommend this company

Emma (couple) from the UK

We hired a car with a driver (Toky) for our honeymoon and drove from Tana to Toliara. The entire service was excellent, including the communication prior to booking. The drive itself was fantastic, and having a knowledgeable local guide as our dri...
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Everything worked like a charm

Jakob from Germany

All my questions were diligently answered prior to the trip. We picked up the car (without a driver) in Antananarivo and returned it in Tulear. I can really recommend to self-drive in Madagascar if you enjoy driving on mostly decent but sometimes...
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The RN7 One-way in 2 weeks | This is what you need to know

Travel time and road conditions

The RN7 is a paved road and generally easy to drive, but be aware that maintenance is poor in some areas. Expect washed-out sections and plenty of potholes, which can significantly reduce the distance you cover in a day.

Travel time
For the RN7 One-way tour, we recommend a 16-day itinerary with 12 days of car rental, averaging 2 nights per stop. On travel days, plan for 4–8 hours of driving, not including breaks for lunch, photos, or sightseeing.

When renting a car through Roadtrip Africa, you can drop it off in Tulear. If you have the time, consider wrapping up your trip with a three-night beach stay in St. Augustin. The beaches there are more beautiful than those in Tulear, but the drive to the airport is longer. This option extends the RN7 One-way tour to 17 days.

If you’d rather end your road trip with beach days in Nosy Be, a two-night stay in Tulear is a good choice.

Is time not on your side? Then consider skipping Andasibe to shorten your self-drive tour by 2 days.

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When is the best time to travel the RN7 in Madagascar?

The RN7 is possible to travel all year round. To prepare for weather conditions, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Peak season It's good to be aware that July - October is peak season, and cars and popular hotels are booked months in advance. 

Rainy season 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 and Northern Madagascar offers no issues. 

Coldest time of year Madagascar's coolest 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.

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Where do I sleep?

Accommodation in Madagascar is affordable and offers great value for money. We carefully select small, eco-friendly lodges that provide a comfortable stay. Most of our choices are in the semi-luxury and mid-range category, balancing price and quality.

To preview some of your accommodations, click the orange arrow and scroll through the photos.

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Madagascar The RN7 One-way | Prices

Indicative prices

The prices below are per person, based on two people sharing a car. The RN7 One-way tour includes 15 hotel nights on the basis of bed & breakfast and 11 car rental days.

   Rest of year  Peak season*
Mid-range €1,920 €2,090
Semi-luxury €2,560 €2,740

*Peak season: July–October. We recommend booking several months in advance.

Payment is easy and secure through our Roadtrip Africa Bookings office in the Netherlands.

Want to go on an adventurous road trip but prefer not to drive yourself? Rent a car with a driver-guide for €30 per day. You can select this option in the booking form.

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Included in your Madagascar roadtrip

Included

  • Bed & Breakfast
  • Airport transfer
  • Car rental with unlimited mileage. Fuel at your own expense
  • Car insurance
  • 24/7 roadside assistance
  • Madagascar driving manual, Bradt Travel Guide & Roadmap

Optional

  • Driver - Guide

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