Drive the RN7 round trip - 16 day Madagascar itinerary

Start: Ivato
Destination: Antsirabe
Drive: 190 km | 5 hours

Tongasoa Madagascar - welcome in Madagascar! Today you will start on the famed RN7. Expect asphalted and windy roads passing rice paddies and small highland villages. You can have a good local lunch stop in Behenjy or Ambatolampy.

Start: Antsirabe
Destination: Ranomafana National Park
Drive: 227 km | 6 hours

It's another lovely windy road, passing highland villages, rice paddies and rainforest-covered hills. 

The easiest way to Ranomafana is via the RN7 and branch off at Alakamisy onto the RN45. 

We don’t recommend branching off at Ambohimahasoa and taking the RN25 because the road is in very bad condition and will take much longer.

Enjoy: Ranomafana National Park

Ranomafana is a small but lively tropical town with a stunning riverside setting surrounded by rainforest-covered hills and the lovely scent of flowers in the air. It's the place to search for the golden bamboo lemur, only discovered in 1986. Park entrance costs €16 pp plus €31 per guide for a group up to four. Half of the proceeds go to the guide. A tip is still appreciated.

In the evening, just after sunset, you can join a night walk. If you're lucky, you can spot the mouse lemur. You can also spot frogs and plenty of chameleons and geckos. 

Start: Ranomafana National Park
Destination: Tsaranoro region - Andringitra National Park
Drive: 130 km | 6 hours 

Today is perhaps the most scenic drive so far, especially beyond Ambalavao when the highland plateau gives way to deserted grassland with big sandstone massifs and distant horizons. 

Ambalavao is a nice stopover for lunch. You can visit a little a paper fabrique at Aux Bougainvillées in Ambalavao. After this town, you'll have a 1,5 - 2 hours off-road drive to your camp. Locals are trying to repair the roads here and there, but sadly, after every rainy season they have to repair it again. Keep in mind that the accessibility of the camps might be more difficult in/after the rainy season (approximately December - April).

Enjoy: Andringitra National Park

If you like hiking, this is a breathtaking area. Several hikes can be organised from the camps in this area, ranging from a few hours to multiple days. We did the real Andringitra, a tough full day walk up the peak. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat, as the sun is relentless. Consider spending an extra night to complete the Imarivolanitra trekking (2-3 days). 

Start: Tsaranoro Region
Destination: Isalo National Park
Drive: 215 km| 6 hours

After breakfast it is time to hit the road again. On to the next National Park! In Ihosy, you can fuel up your tank and arrange a simple lunch.

If you have checked in at your lodge in time, consider to drive to Isalo Window for a beautiful sunset. You surely won't be the only one there, especially in the peak season, but the area is definitely a beautiful spot to end your day.

Enjoy: Isalo National Park

The combination of sandstone rocks cut by deep canyons, waterfalls and natural pools, with all sorts of native plants make Isalo Madagascar's most visited national park. The piscine and cascade hiking trail can become crowded during high season. Consider a more off the beaten track experience with Momo Trek, who organise multiple-day hikes with camping into remote sections of the park. Further activities include horse riding or climbing the Via Ferrate (enquire with Relais de la Reine). 

Start: Isalo National Park
Destination: Tulear and the coast
Drive: 237 km | 4 hours 

After three beautiful national parks, it is almost time to relax. In approximately 4 hours, you will enter Tulear, the biggest city in the Southwest of Madagascar. On the way, you will also see your first baobab trees. 

During this drive, you will pass one of the driest regions in Madagascar. If you would like to help, you can save your empty water bottles from the trip, fill them up at your lodge in Isalo, and share them along the road. The locals will highly appreciate your gesture. 

Enjoy: Madagascar's West Coast

It is possible to stay in Tulear itself. However, if you prefer the beach, it might be good to know that the coast around Tulear mainly exists of mangroves. Therefore, we prefer to stay a bit up North in lively Ifaty/Mangily from Tulear, or a bit towards the easy-going South in St. Augustin. 

If you spend a few more days at the beach, consider going a bit more up the west coast towards the remote, beautiful Salary Bay. It's approximately 6 hours off-road driving. Note that this route requires the Nissan Navara.

Enjoy: Madagascar's West Coast

Enjoy another day along the beach, or make a boat trip arranged via your lodge. 

Recently, we've enjoyed a half-day boat tour in St. Augustin. We spotted flamingos, went snorkeling, and had one of the best seafood lunches near a beautiful cenote-like cave (pictured). Definitely recommended if you're up for a relaxed day activity. 

Start: Madagascar's West Coast
Destination: Ranohira (Isalo)
Drive: +- 250 km | 4-6 hours 

Todays distance depends a bit on where you spent your coastal days. 

Around 2 hours from Tulear, you can find the Zombitse National Park. It's known for the Verreaux Sifaka and the baobabs. If you are interested, you can make a short hire here to break your driving day.

After Zombitse, it's a short two hour drive to Ranohira, near Isalo National Park, where you can spend your night. 

Start: Ranohira (Isalo)
Destination: Ambalavao
Drive: 220 km | 4 hours

Another driving day back to the highlands. Just before entering Ambalavao, you will come across the Anja Community Reserve. It's known for the ring-tailed lemurs. The visit takes around one hour. 

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

Today is a long driving day, mainly due to the road conditions. If you have more time, we recommend spending two nights in Antsirabe.

Hike or mountain bike around Lake Tritriva, an emerald-green crater lake, or take a pousse pousse (the Malagasy version of the Asian rickshaw) tour to the craft workshops, which are hard to find on your own. It may feel uncomfortable to be towed around by someone in this fashion (who may even be barefooted), but this is the driver's living, so your pay is most welcome.

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

We're going to leave the RN7 and switch to the RN2 from Tana onwards. The scenery will change to beautifully lush and tropical. The RN2 is the most important road of the country, connecting Tana with the port of Tamatave, so it can be busy with slow trucks. Be aware of dangerous overtaking. 

If you arrive on time (before 16:30 PM) you can still arrange a night walk in the park tonight. A great change to spot the mouse lemur and other species that are only active during the night.

Enjoy: Andasibe

Andasibe is the prime location to search for the Indri Indri. With its 'surprised teddy bear' face it looks more like a gone-wrong panda than a lemur. If you don't see them (99,9% chance you will), you will hear them. They make an eerie, wailing sound that carries for kilometers. Each Indri Indri only cries up to three times a day as it costs them a lot of energy. It's really mind-blowing to witness this ritual. 

You can do 2-6 hour walks in Andasibe to search for lemurs. It's not strenuous. You can also visit Andasibe Mantadia National Park, 17 km up North (2 hours drive). It is much bigger and more suitable for hiking enthusiasts. 

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

Today, it is time for your final drive in this scenic country. You can return your rental car to the team of Roadtrip Madagascar at the airport or the lodge you are staying at in Ivato.