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
Explore the beauty of Madagascar. Watch our RN7 One-way road movie.
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...Read all reviews
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...Read all reviews
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...Read all reviews
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.
Book your roadtripWhen 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.
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.
Create & book your Madagascar adventureIncluded 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