RN7 One way - 16 day Madagascar Safari
Our adventurous self-drive tours feature accommodation, 4×4 car rental, and a thoughtfully crafted itinerary. Blending liberty with ease.
The RN7 One-way – a 16-day Madagascar Safari
The RN7 stands as Madagascar’s most renowned route, guiding you on a thrilling drive from Antananarivo to Tuléar. As you drive, you will encounter a range of stunning landscapes and national parks.
Drive through charming highland villages, lush rice paddies, and verdant rainforest hills.
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking mountain vistas of Andringitra National Park.
Explore the desert plains and canyons of Isalo National Park
Relax on the stunning shores of Tuléar
This 16 days Madagascar self-drive safari itinerary features an airport transfer, a one-way car rental from Antananarivo to Tuléar, and carefully selected accommodations. Continue scrolling for a comprehensive day-by-day itinerary, featuring practical driving times and route directions.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 of 16 Welcome to Tonga Soa Madagascar!
You will arrive at Ivato International Airport and stay at a hotel in Ivato, close to Antananarivo. Arriving in the afternoon allows you the opportunity to exchange money, acquire a SIM card, and load an internet bundle.
Second day of sixteen
Beginning: Ivato
Destination: Andasibe Drive: 150 km | 5 hours
Following the car handover at your hotel, you’re ready to hit the road and embark on your Madagascar adventure! Your adventure commences on the RN2 heading towards Andasibe. You will navigate around the city center of Antananarivo by taking the ring road. The RN2 is a paved highway serving as the primary route connecting Tana and the port of Tamatave, so anticipate traffic and slow-moving trucks along the way. Be cautious of dangerous overtaking in the curvy areas.
The journey leads you through stunning hills adorned with lush rainforest. If you arrive before 16:30, you might want to take part in a night walk in the park to observe the mouse lemur and other species that are active only at night.
Day three of sixteen
Delight in: Andasibe
Andasibe is the premier location to observe the Indri Indri. Its wide-eyed, teddy bear-like face gives it a resemblance to a quirky panda rather than a typical lemur. If you don’t see one (though there’s a 99.9% chance you will), you’ll certainly hear their haunting, wailing calls resonating for kilometres. Each Indri cries no more than three times a day due to the significant energy it expends, rendering this ritual truly unforgettable.
Discover Andasibe through walks lasting between 2 to 6 hours in pursuit of lemurs. The trails are not demanding. For a larger adventure, travel 17 km north (approximately a 2-hour drive) to Andasibe Mantadia National Park. It is significantly larger and highly appropriate for those who enjoy hiking.
Day four of sixteen
Begin: Andasibe
Destination: Antsirabe Drive: 300 km | 8 hours
The drive to Antsirabe today is quite lengthy, as it takes you through Antananarivo and continues along the RN7. The path showcases meandering roads that traverse rice fields and quaint highland communities.
During your lunch break, you might want to visit Coin de Foie Gras in Behenjy, known as Madagascar’s foie gras center. Don’t miss the surprisingly excellent paella at El Torro in Ambatolampy (we’re serious).
Upon arriving in Antsirabe, consider these restaurant suggestions:
Day 5 of 16 Experience: Antsirabe
Discover the charm of Antsirabe town and its beautiful surroundings. Begin your journey with a pousse pousse tour, the Malagasy equivalent of a rickshaw, to explore local craft workshops that are often elusive without guidance. Next, explore the trails for hiking or mountain biking around Lake Tritriva, a breathtaking emerald-green crater lake.
Antsirabe is recognized as the pousse pousse capital of Madagascar. There are three primary categories:
The classic pousse pousse: a cart drawn by an individual. While it might seem uncomfortable, keep in mind that this is his source of income, and your payment is valued.
The cyclo-pousse: a bicycle that pulls the cab, providing the driver with some relief.
Lastly, the motorized pousse pousse stands out as the premier choice, offering a contemporary alternative.
Day 6 of 16
Commencement: Antsirabe
Location: Ranomafana National Park Distance: 255 km | Travel Time: 6.5 hours
The journey today leads you along a picturesque, twisting route through charming highland villages, lush rice paddies, and hills adorned with vibrant rainforest.
The optimal way to reach Ranomafana is to remain on the RN7 and then take a turn at Alakamisy onto the RN45. It is advisable to refrain from taking the branch at Ambohimahasoa onto the RN25, as that road is in a deteriorated state and will considerably impede your progress.Delight in the distinctive atmosphere of this vibrant town!
Seventh day of sixteen
Experience the beauty of Ranomafana National Park
Ranomafana is a quaint yet vibrant tropical town nestled by a picturesque riverside, embraced by hills draped in rainforest and filled with the fragrance of blooming flowers. This location is ideal for seeking out the renowned golden bamboo lemur.
As the sun dips below the horizon, embark on a stroll under the night sky. With a touch of fortune, you may encounter mouse lemurs, as well as frogs, chameleons, and geckos.
Dining recommendation: Manja
Day 8 of 16
Commencement: Ranomafana National Park
Destination: Andringitra National Park Drive: 110 km | 5 hours
Make your way to Andringitra National Park. This journey could be the most picturesque so far, particularly after Ambalavao, where the highland plateau unfolds into vast grasslands, sandstone formations, and expansive views.
Spend some time discovering Ambalavao, a captivating village recognized for its community tourism efforts.
Day 9 of 16 Experience: Andringitra National Park
For those who love hiking, Andringitra is essential. Multiple trails begin at the camps located in the area. A demanding choice is the authentic Andringitra hike, a full-day trek to the summit. Make sure to bring ample water, sunscreen, and a hat – the sun can be quite strong!
Day 10 of a 16-day journey
Begin: Andringitra National Park
Destination: Isalo Drive: 230 km | 4–5 hours
Following breakfast, continue your journey toward the next adventure in Isalo National Park. Make a stop in Ihosy to refuel and enjoy a straightforward lunch.
If you arrive at your lodge early, think about taking a drive to Isalo Window to enjoy a breathtaking sunset. It’s a well-known location, yet it remains a lovely way to conclude the day.
Day 11 of 16 Experience: Isalo National Park
Isalo stands out as Madagascar’s most renowned park, celebrated for its impressive sandstone formations, profound canyons, cascading waterfalls, natural pools, and distinctive native flora.
For a great road trip experience, consider visiting the park office a day ahead of your hike. This way, you can request a freshly-prepared lunch to enjoy at the park’s campsite afterward. The food is delicious, and you will be accompanied by numerous inquisitive lemurs.
Day 12 out of 16
Beginning: Isalo National Park
Destination: Tulear and the Coast Drive: 240 km | 4–6 hours
After discovering the breathtaking national parks of Madagascar, it’s time to relax by the coast. Prepare yourself: the 4–6 hour journey to Tulear will lead you to your initial encounters with the magnificent baobab trees!
Remember that Tulear’s coastline is predominantly bordered by mangroves. For a traditional beach experience, think about traveling north to Ifaty or Mangily, or south to St. Augustin.
Day 13 of 16 Savor: time at the beach
Consider concluding your road trip with a delightful three-night stay at the beach in St. Augustine, if time permits. The beaches in this area are more visually stunning than those in Tulear, though it’s important to remember that it’s a 1.5-hour drive from the airport. To incorporate St. Augustin into your journey, you will require a minimum of 17 days to complete the entire RN7 route.
If your schedule is more constrained or if you’d rather unwind in Nosy Be, you can conclude your RN7 journey with a two-night beach retreat in Tulear. A stay at a beautiful boutique hotel can be arranged, located just a 15-minute drive from the domestic airport.
Below is an image capturing a boat trip arranged by your lodge in St. Augustin, which includes a visit to a stunning cenote-like cave for snorkelling, and concludes with a delightful seafood lunch.
Day 14 of 16 Start: Tulear Airport
Location: Ivato
Madagascar Airlines provides daily flights from Tulear Airport to Ivato. This flight is not part of the tour and must be booked separately online.
Given that delays and cancellations frequently occur, it is prudent to allocate an additional day in Ivato to mitigate the chance of missing your international flight.
Day 15 of 16 Delight: Ivato or Antananarivo
Due to the frequent flight delays with Air Madagascar, we always incorporate an extra day into the itinerary. Take this day to purchase souvenirs, unwind by the pool at Relais de Plateaux, or discover Antananarivo.