Roadtrip to northern Madagascar
Northern Madagascar is the most lush and tropical region of the island, but most visitors only fly in and out from Nosy Be. So you'll be lucky to have the road and all its sights to yourself—a true off-the-beaten-path experience!
This Madagascar itinerary is recommended as a one-way road trip. Start from Ivato International Airport and return your car at Ankify, the ferry point to Nosy Be.
- Hike through canyons, baobab trees and rainforests in Ankarafantsika National Park
- Clamber the well-constructed ladders and bridges in the Tsingy in Ankarana National Park.
- Explore the hiking trails and waterfalls of lovely lodges in scenic Montagne d'Ambre.
- Enjoy beautiful beaches and world-class kite surfing in Sakalava Bay
- Conclude your road trip with some island hopping around the beautiful Nosy Be archipelago before flying back to Tana.
Scroll down to see the Madagascar day-to-day itinerary with accurate driving distance & times.
This itinerary is for you if...
- …you love national parks, wildlife ánd beaches
- ...you like to explore Madagascar off the beaten path
You'll also love this if...
- …you want to explore the most lush and tropical areas of Madagascar
- …you're into kitesurfing and other watersports
Check the day to day itinerary
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The car was very sturdy, with a rooftoptent on top and we were able to drive even on the most hard roads! Also the level of service is very very high! You have a fixed contactperson on the ground (shout out to Peter) with whom you can have regular...Read all reviews
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Giordano from Italy
Madagascar is incredible, and we had an amazing road trip to the north with our driver, Jarry. Everything went smoothly, and we absolutely recommend Roadtrip Africa as a service for a vacation in Madagascar!Read all reviews
Exploring Northern Madagascar in 2 weeks | This is what you need to know
Travel time and road conditions
A minimum of 13 car rental days are required for this one-way road trip to the North of Madagascar. If you're a kiter, you surely want to spend more time in Sakalava Bay than the 3 nights we calculated in this itinerary. If you prefer to go even more off-the-beaten-track, you can add the SAVA region and Marojejy to this itinerary (+- 7 days extra).
You can easily enjoy another week off island hopping to Nosy Be, Nosy Komba and Nosy Sakatia. Check our Madagascar Hotel Guide for unique hotel tips. The only domestic airline is Madagascar Airlines, and delays and cancellations can occur. Factor in a spare day in Ivato, so you don't risk missing your international departure flight if there is a delay with your domestic flight from Nosy Be.
Road conditions
Like everywhere throughout the island, asphalt roads in Madagascar are poorly maintained. The road from Ivato to Ambanja is in a particularly bad state; potholed, eroded and with sections washed away, significantly reducing the distance you can cover in a day. The first days from Ivato to Ankarana National Park involve long driving days with few sites of interest along the way. The rest of the itinerary involves modest driving hours a day. Consult our driving & distances table when planning your trip. From Ambanja to Diego Suarez, the road is in good condition (for Madagascar standards, that is...)
When is the best time to travel the north of Madagascar?
The overland route from Antananarivo to Nosy Be (Ankify) and Diego Suarez is fine for traveling year-round. Even though most rain falls between January - March, the temperature remains pleasant. Furthermore, the countryside is at its prettiest this time of year. Do take note that Nosy Be is very humid between January and April.
Around Nosy Be, humpback whales can be seen from mid-August until the end of October. Turtles and dolphins are regular visitors year round.
Kitesurfing and Windsurfing season in Northern Madagascar runs from mid March to mid December and it peaks between June and September when the wind is strongest.
Hiking in Marojejy National Park is best done from April to May and from September to December.
Off the beaten track: the Marojejy National Park and SAVA region
With the newly restored RN5a, exploring the stunning SAVA region (Sambava, Andapa, Vohemar, and Antalaha) is again possible. Known as the Vanilla Coast, this area is where the Indian Ocean meets dense jungle, offering an incredibly scenic and off-the-beaten-path road trip.
The itinerary - 7 extra days
From Ambilobe, head to Sambava (approximately a 7-hour drive). Orchidea Beach is the best hotel in town, and for Marojejy trekking information, you can stop by the local tourism office at Hotel Mimi. Spend the rest of your day strolling along the beach or exploring the small town center and market.
The park office for Marojejy National Park is about a 3-hour drive from Sambava. Here, you can book guides and porters for your trek. Marojejy, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2007, offers hiking trails with options for a day hike or multi-day trek. Along the way, you’ll pass natural swimming pools, spot silky sifakas, and enjoy breathtaking viewpoints.
After your jungle adventure, it's time to return to "civilization." Drive back to Sambava for an overnight stay (about 3 hours), and break up the return journey along the Northern route with a stop in Vohemar, a regional trading town surrounded by cacao and vanilla plantations (about 3 hours). From Vohemar, it's approximately a 4-hour drive to Ankarana National Park.
In total, plan to add about 7 extra days for this extension.
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