ROAD-TRIP IN MADAGASCAR: TRAVEL THROUGH THE FAMOUS RN7 (10 Days)

Highlights : Lemurs, landscape, culture, Baobabs, UNESCO world heritage, canyon and beach

Accommodation options: from midrange to luxurious

Extension options: East of Madagascar – South-East of Madagascar

Day 1: Arrival in Madagascar

You have landed in Antananarivo Airport, Welcome to Madagascar ! Before heading to your hotel on your transfer car, you can convert the amount of money you need into our local money.

Also, if you have some free time ahead, you can ask your driver to bring you at your charge to some historical places where you can discover the Madagascar’s Highlands’ history and traditions. Whether it is the Queen’s Palace or the Ambohimanga royal hill, feel free to wander in some of the Malagasy Royalty period’ remains.

You can also visit a crocodile farm near the airport or a RAMSAR bird sanctuary near the city center. Overnight in a charming hotel.

Day 2 : Antananarivo-Antsirabe

Today, you start your Madagascar tour by taking the famous RN7 (National Road n°7) toward Antsirabe! You will first pass through the small town of Ambatolampy, a town known for its pots and other kitchen utensils made of Aluminum. Then, crisscross the mountains and ricefields that characterizes the Madagascar highlands and take the time to admire the colorful stalls of fruit and vegetable sellers, but also sellers of typically Malagasy musical instruments made entirely by hand.

You arrive in Antsirabe after about 3 hours of driving. Nicknamed “the city of water”, Antsirabe is home to a renowned thermal source, but also to a stone market that you can visit after you settled at your hotel.

Day 3 : Antsirabe-Ranomafana

After Antsirabe, you will continue your way on the RN7 to reach the village of Ranomafana. You will pass through the city of Ambositra, the capital of Malagasy crafts, known for its woodworking pioneered by the Zafimaniry. These people have made woodworking a unique art that can be found both in their huts and in their works of art carved out of wood, thus deserving its place in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

After half a day of driving, you are now in Ranomafana. Located in the Haute Matsiatra region, this village lost in the middle of green mountains is home to one of the natural jewels of this region: the Ranomafana National Park. Night at the hotel.

Day 4: Ranomafana National Park

Today, you will start your Madagascar wildlife tour by visiting the Ranomafana National Park. Spread over more than 41,600ha, this park created in 1991 and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to more than 100 species of birds, unique flora and atypical fauna.

Indeed, you will find there at least five species of endemic lemurs including the Woolly Avahi, the Microcebus, the Black Vari, but also the golden Bamboo Lemur. The bamboo lemur, endemic to this region, feeds only on deadly poisonous bamboo, which, curiously, has no effect on its organism. After a visit rich in discovery, take the time to admire the extent of this haven of peace from the belvedere of the park. Night at the hotel.

Day 5 : Ranomafana-Ranohira

After a day of in the Ranomafana National Park, you will continue your southern adventure toward Ranohira. You will pass by the city of Fianarantsoa, literally meaning, “where you learn good manners”. This is the Malagasy city where you will find the largest number of churches in Madagascar. Indeed, there are more than fifty churches in this town. Also, you can take time visiting the old town of Fianarantsoa. This area located on the top of the highest mountain of the city and a UNESCO heritage site is a peaceful place where you will see some remains of the royal era and some traditional houses that kept their authenticity.

Afterward, you will drive through the village of Ambalavao where you can meet some ring-tailed lemurs (Maki) in a natural reserve: the Anja park. It is a really important part of your Madagascar wildlife tour. You can meet those Makis, the emblem of Madagascar, on condition that you woke up a bit early, as lemurs are the most active in the morning. After a half-day of driving, you will finally reach your destination, the Ranohira village, where you will stay in a charming hotel.

Day 6 : Isalo National Park

Today, you will visit the famous Isalo National Park, a natural rock formation made of Jurassic sandstone. This 80.000ha national park is the home to more than 77 bird species, 33 reptile species/amphibians and some lemur species such as the Maki (Lemur Catta), the Verreaux’ s Sifaka and many more. While walking inside the park, you may even encounter some Makis walking smoothly on your path or some brown lemurs jumping from a tree to another. Apart from its fabulous fauna, the Isalo National Park is also the dream place for hikers eager for discovery and thrills.

Climb on some of the highest peaks of the park in order to visit some Bara tombs. Indeed, the Bara ethnic group still uses to put their tombs high inside the facades of the highest rock formations. Also, you can walk through sandstone rocks, rice fields, rainforests and natural swimming pools during your hike inside the Isalo National Park, the Canyon of Madagascar.

Day 7 : Ranohira-Ifaty

This day, you will leave the Ranohira village in order to reach the beach destination of your Madagascar tour: Ifaty. During a half-day drive, you will drive through some arid landscapes and will pass by the city of Tulear. Also known as the “Sun city”, this city is home to many places worth the visit such as the Antsokay Arboretum. In this Arboretum, you will find some rare and endemic plant species. Also, meet some turtles and huge Baobab trees in a private reserve on the way from Tulear to Ifaty. Once in this place, you will settle in your charming hotel.

Day 8 and Day 9 : Ifaty

During two days, you will enjoy the relaxing part of your stay in Madagascar by chilling on some of the most beautiful beaches of the southern part of Madagascar. You can also book some nautical and seaside activities at your charge at your hotel. From July to September, you can also meet some Whales in Ifaty during some whale-watching excursions. Overnight in a hotel.

Day 10 : Ifaty-Tulear-Antananarivo

Today, you will leave the Ifaty village in order to reach the Tulear city. There, you will a flight which will bring you to Antananarivo into two hours. There, you will have a day-use in a hotel before taking the international flight which will take you back home. Here ends your Madagascar tour. Veloma! See you soon. End of our services