Madagascar self drive | Rent your car including a local driver
Are you looking for an adventurous 4x4 roadtrip in Madagascar but do you feel unsure about driving? Then rent a car with a local driver! Our team at Roadtrip Africa works with well-trained and truly friendly driver-guides, who speak English, French and Malagash.
Having a tour guide and driver all-in-1 is a great option for roadtrippers who want to remain in charge of their own holiday and itinerary, yet prefer someone else to do the driving. At the same time, being accompanied by a local driver-guide, means learning more about the local culture and wildlife in Madagascar while you travel.
All our drivers are experienced tour guides and mechanics. No stress, difficulties or long hours behind the wheel; your local driver is there to facilitate and ease your travels.
Renting a car with driver in Madagascar - what to expect
Your experienced driver will get you to your destination safely and is responsible for keeping the car in great condition. Besides driving you to where you want to go, your driver knows the best locations to stop for lunch and helps you find the best places to stock up on supplies. He can also help you fine-tune your itinerary along the way and can recommend activities, campsites and lodges to stay at during your travels in Madagascar. Yet, you remain in charge of your own holiday and itinerary.
As our drivers are keen to share their knowledge about Madagascar, feel free to ask them anything. You'll return home with a deeper understanding of Madagascar, and a new friend.
Are you going camping? Then we'll supply your driver with camping gear. If you plan to go wild camping, we appreciate that you factor in your driver when grocery shopping and cooking your meals together. Most drivers are pretty good bush cooks and will be able to help you start a campfire.
If you want to explore remote areas of Madagascar which are not included in Roadtrip Africa's suggested routes, such as the South, the knowledge of our local drivers is necessary to get you there.
Pictured below is driver-guide Jarry - eager to show you all the highlights Madagascar has to offer :)
What are the costs to hire a driver for my trip in Madagascar?
The cost of hiring a driver-guide in Madagascar is €30/day. All proceeds go to the driver. The fee also covers your driver's meals and accommodation. Most lodges have facilities available for driver-guides at a reduced rate. In case you book your hotels in advance, kindly mention you are travelling with a local driver, so that they can reserve a driver's room.
Unless you invite your driver, he will not join you in the National Parks.
As for fuel, your Madagascar rental car is delivered to you with a full tank, and should be filled up again when returned. The fuel you consume during your road trip remains at your own expense.
As for tipping, depending on how happy and satisfied you are with the services of your driver-guide, a tip of €5-10 per day is customary and shall be greatly appreciated.
Ready for your road trip adventure in Madagascar? Book your car with driver-guide!
Pictured below is driver-guide Mika, looking forward to welcoming you in road trip paradise.
Great drivers equal great holidays | Some reviews
The role of drivers is very important when creating memorable holiday memories. As both a driver and tour guide, they need to be knowledgeable, flexible, create a sense of safety, and be great companions. After all, a good sense of humor and some laughs contribute to making the world a better place, right? We are happy and proud to say that we consistently receive glowing reviews from roadtrippers renting a car in Madagascar with our drivers!
Kevin, Canada, June 2024 - read the full review here
''Roadtrip Africa’s exceptional service, coupled with having someone as talented as Jose on their team, made our trip unforgettable.
Jose is an outstanding driver, knowing the country like the back of his hand. His driving skills are matched by his professionalism—courteous, patient, and intuitively in-tune with when we needed his assistance or some alone time. Jose’s local knowledge was invaluable. He helped us avoid common tourist traps, guided us on how to navigate our travels, and arranged fantastic local guides for us, saving us time and hassle. He pointed out interesting sights, explained the significance of various landmarks, and shared insights into the local culture. This enriched our trip immensely, giving us a deeper appreciation for the country's beauty and its people."
Jack, the UK, September 2023 - read the full review here
"We hired a car with a driver (Toky) for our honeymoon and drove from Tana to Toliara. The whole service was excellent, including the communication prior to booking. We largely followed the suggested RN7 route, but Road Trip Africa kindly checked our itinerary and gave us lots of helpful tips while planning. The drive itself was fantastic and it was so helpful to have a knowledgeable local as our guide who was very informative and fun! Toky was also so helpful in booking activities and making recommendations for us. Would both highly recommend and use the company again if travelling elsewhere in Africa!"
Anouk, the Netherlands, July 2023 - read the full review here
''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 people and took us safely to our final destination on the beach of Mangily.''