Road trip on the National Road 7 of Madagascar

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Antananarivo

  

  Upon your arrival in Antananarivo, you will be welcomed by your driver, who will take you to your guesthouse.

• day 2

  Antananarivo - Tulear - Ifaty

  

  After a good breakfast, you will take a flight to the city of Tulear, located in the southwest and known for its dry and arid landscapes. In Tulear, you will be welcomed by your driver, who will take you to a charming fishing village in Ifaty, located about 25 km north of Tulear, where you will spend the night. In addition to being a seaside destination, this place also offers several excursion opportunities.

• day 3

  Ifaty

  

  Today, you will have a free day to fully discover Ifaty and its surroundings. We especially recommend visiting the famous Spiny Forest to admire its iconic baobabs. Not far from the Spiny Forest, you can also visit the village of turtles and mouse lemurs, and observe baobabs. After these visits, you can enjoy water activities, including snorkeling and diving (the hotel can provide you with the boat and equipment), or relax on the beautiful fine white sand beach. If you wish, and we strongly recommend it, it is possible to visit the projects of the NGO Belavenir in Ifaty.

• day 4

  Ifaty - Tuléar - Ranohira

  

  This morning, you will take the road for about 4 hours on the famous Route Nationale 7 heading north. But before that, the driver will take you to Tulear to appreciate its landscapes characterized by wide savannas stretching to the horizon, bordered by impressive mountain ranges. You will also have the opportunity to visit the botanical garden and/or the city, then continue your journey north, especially towards Ranohira, located near the Isalo National Park. During your car journey, you will be able to admire the most beautiful landscapes and, in particular, the Mahafaly tombs.

• day 5

  Ranohira - Isalo National Park

  

  This day will be dedicated to visiting Isalo National Park with many discoveries awaiting you. This park covers 81,540 hectares and is made up of sandstone rocks, cut by deep canyons and eroded into unusual shapes. You will see many species there, including the Catta lemur, Verreaux's Sifaka, and the brown lemur, as well as birds and chameleons that are usually seen in the Canyon of the Makis and the Canyon of the Rats. Take the opportunity to explore the small Namaza trail, which takes you along a scenic route with a beautiful natural pool where you can simply relax and swim. You will also have the opportunity to discover the association called Soa Zara, a reforestation project aimed at planting some trees. In fact, 50 years ago, small patches of primary forest surrounded the base of Isalo National Park. Unfortunately, nowadays, all these trees have been cut down, leaving a desert landscape in the deep gorges and rocky cliffs. The Soa Zara association is working to change this reality by creating a natural forest outside the park, with a small plot of land managed by the community. The association plants trees and offers visitors the opportunity to participate and thus contribute to the local environment. By building this forest, the association provides energy resources to the local population, a refuge for lemur species, and helps to redevelop the severely damaged land.

• day 6

  Ranohira - Ambalavao

  

  Today, we will take you on a 3.5-hour journey to Ambalavao, famous for its community-run private reserve Anja. This is a reserve managed by the local community, preserving historical and cultural heritage. The wildlife is mainly represented by a large colony of ring-tailed lemurs, as well as many birds and chameleons. You will be able to observe the town from a rocky promontory offering an incredible view. We also invite you to visit this reserve the next morning, as the lemurs are more active in the morning. Today, you can focus on activities in the village of Ambalavao and visit its two main craft activities, namely its paper factory and silk production, or take a walk through the village. You will spend the night in a hotel in the village.

• day 7

  Ambalavao - Ranomafana

  

  On this beautiful morning, you will be able to visit the lovely Anja park and appreciate the ring-tailed lemurs first. After this visit, you will continue your journey north on National Road 7 and partly east to explore the Ranomafana rainforest. Before that, you will make a short stop in one of the island's major cities, Fianarantsoa, which means "the city where you learn good manners." This capital of the Betsileo ethnic group, which is also the city of 1001 churches, is a remarkable old city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the end of the day, you will arrive in Ranomafana where you will have the opportunity to visit its rainforest rich in endemic flora and fauna, as well as its national park with impressive waterfalls, hot springs, lemurs, and birds. During the colonial period, Ranomafana was a small village where the French from Fianarantsoa would bathe in one of the hot springs. Ranomafana means "hot water" in Malagasy. You will spend the night in Ranomafana.

• day 8

  Ranomafana

  

  After a good breakfast, you will visit the Ranomafana National Park and its rainforest, with several walking options of different durations. Over the past two decades, Ranomafana was known for its hot springs. Today, it is better known for its mid-altitude rainforest national park, featuring an incredible and unmatched diversity of endemic flora and fauna, including 12 species of lemurs, 115 species of birds, 58 species of reptiles, 98 species of amphibians, 90 species of butterflies, and more than 200 species of spiders to discover, as well as a diversity of lush plants to admire. In 2007, Ranomafana was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you wish, you can also visit a silk workshop run by women.

• day 9

  Ranomafana - Ambositra

  

  From Ranomafana, you will continue your journey still on the RN7 heading north to Ambositra, the city of Malagasy craftsmen. You will have the chance to visit the sculptors during their working hours. They are the Zafimaniry, an ethnic group of Asian origin, particularly known for their beautiful wood carvings and marquetry. You can also take a walk in the Ambositra hinterland and see the sacred palace of the region, where the former kings had their summer palace. The guides will tell you the history of this place surrounded by rice fields.

• day 10

  Ambositra - Antsirabe

  

  On this new day, you will take the bus again for a new 2-hour journey towards Antsirabe, located in the Vakinankaratra region. This region is well known for its agricultural landscape, with its rice fields and volcanic features. The city of Antsirabe has several names: city of waters, city of precious stones, but also the city of "pousse-pousse" (rickshaws). Two itineraries to choose from that you can do accompanied by your guide: A walk through the Antsirabe hinterland and especially the village of Fiadanana. A village located about 30 km from the city of Antsirabe. The bus can take you there up to a small town to the west, which will be the starting point for a simple hike to Fiadanana. You will discover in particular the rural lifestyle of the locals. You will pass through different villages, rice fields, vegetable fields, and even mountains. These villages all have their specialties, such as blacksmiths or various crafts. A bike ride A pleasant bike tour crossing the Antsirabe hinterland, with several possible routes depending on your mountain biking experience. From beginner (or just the road) to experienced mountain bikers who can visit the volcanic lake of Tritriva.

• day 11

  Antsirabe - Andasibe

  

  Today, you will have to prepare for a long 8-hour journey to reach Andasibe via the capital, Antananarivo. In Andasibe, you can visit the National Park, an 810-hectare park considered one of the most beautiful in Madagascar. There you will find 11 species of lemurs, many species of birds, large chameleons, an orchid park, rosewood trees, lianas, and many others. The largest of the lemurs, the Indri, is found in this forest.

• day 12

  Andasibe

  

  This morning, you will visit the great Andasibe National Park. Before entering the park, several routes will be offered to you. Accompanied by an experienced local guide, you will observe animals living in their natural environment, such as chameleons, lemurs, birds, insects, but also colorful frogs. You will also have the immense privilege of meeting the largest lemur in Madagascar, the Indri-Indri. You will also be able to discover endemic flora, such as large trees with precious wood and orchids. In the afternoon, you will have the possibility to visit the small village of Andasibe and its many private parks in the surroundings, or simply to relax.

• day 13

  Andasibe – Antananarivo

  

  After a well-deserved rest, we will hit the road around 1:00 p.m. to return to the capital. If you wish, you can visit one of the Andasibe parks in the morning. We particularly recommend the VOI MMA (Vondron’Olona Ifotony Miaro sy Mitia ny Ala), a small local reserve managed by the local population, which also takes care of different species of animals and flowers: a certain group of Indris, sifaka propithecus, woolly lemurs, reptiles, amphibians, and various insects, such as the famous giraffe-necked weevil. VOI MMA: The sequence of letters (Vondron’Olona Ifotony Miaro sy Mitia ny Ala) means in French "the local population loves and protects the forest." The private park is not only for recreational purposes, but also informs the local population about conservation and ecotourism. Half of the income generated is used for several projects in Andasibe, for example for the construction of water taps or to support a small local hospital. Once you arrive in the capital, you will be taken directly to the hotel where you can enjoy your last farewell dinner.

• day 14

  Return flight

  

  After this road trip on Madagascar's National Route 7, rich in discoveries, experiences, and memories, your driver will accompany you to the airport for your return flight.