6 car rental days
The eastern region is the most tropical part of Madagascar, famous for the Canal des Pangalanes. Built by the French in colonial times as the water highway of east Madagascar, this region now offers some fine lake resorts. Visit Mahambo, with its beautiful beaches overhung by coconut palms and consistent surf spots. From here, take the ferry to the bounty island of Ile Sainte Marie, the best place for whale watching.
This itinerary is accessible from April until December.
Scroll down to see the day-to-day itinerary with realistic driving times, route directions, and travel tips for east Madagascar.
Hit the road with confidence in one of our sturdy 4x4s – perfect for driving Madagascar’s rugged roads! Do you prefer to sit back and enjoy the ride? We’ll help you hire a local driver-guide to show you the way.
At Roadtrip Africa, we own and service all our cars. No middlemen, just well-maintained vehicles you can trust. Need help on the road? Our 24/7 roadside assistance and nationwide workshop network have got you covered.
From start to finish, they were always quick to reply to emails and answer all questions with politeness and enthusiasm. I strongly recommend getting a driver in Madagascar as the driver will be familiar with the road conditions which can be quite a challenge.
A great choice for visiting Africa by car on your own with (recommended)/without a driver with perfect information for planning. Roadtrip Africa is the perfect partner to discover Africa, very good preparation and recommendations before the trip.
The car was in excellent condition, and we were able to discuss many details with them beforehand. During the trip, we were always able to contact someone from the organization; they responded quickly, were very helpful, and, most importantly, extremely flexible—for which we are very grateful.
When driving this Madagascar itinerary as a one-way route, we recommend a minimum of 6 car rental days.
The RN2 is a windy tarmac road that takes you to the port of Tamatave. To get to Manambato (the gateway to the Canal des Pangalanes), you’ll need to follow a rough dirt track. From Tamatave up north, you will tackle parts of the notorious RN5, featured in series such as the BBC’s World’s Most Dangerous Roads and the Landrover Camel Trophy…But not to worry! From there up to Mahambo, you can enjoy asphalt roads (just be aware of the potholes).
When renting a car via Roadtrip Africa, you can return your vehicle in Mahambo, from where the ferry departs to the island of Ile Sainte Marie. This option can be selected in the booking form. The extra costs for collecting and returning the car to Ivato will be charged to the main driver.
The weather is unpredictable along the east coast of Madagascar. Days of rain and wind can be interspersed with calm, sunny weather throughout the year. It is always warm though. The most stable months tend to be June, and August till December.
July to September is the best time to see humpback whales at Ile Sainte Marie, but you could also be lucky in June and October.
Exploring Madagascar independently is an incredible adventure. But planning a road trip here can also feel challenging, especially if it’s your first time. So where to start?
On this page, we share practical information to help you prepare. You’ll find 11 key topics with tips and frequently asked questions about self-driving and independent travel in Madagascar. They’re designed to help you start your road trip well prepared and confident.
