Madagascar Overland - The RN7 and Andasibe

Duration
14 nights
Price
£5,225 pp.
Location
Madagascar, Africa
Isalo National Park

Trip Highlights

  • Thrilling canyons and hiking trails
  • Unique wildlife and species
  • Waterfalls and National parks

What's Included

  • Internal flights and transfers
  • Excursions, guides and activities
  • 14 nights accommodation

Madagascar's most popular overland journey

With good reason, the RN7 has long been Madagascar's most popular overland holiday.

The RN7 has long been Madagascar's most popular overland journey and ideally, should be savoured just as we have laid out this sample itinerary, over two weeks. This will give you the chance to take in an astonishing diversity of landscapes, get to know many of the resident tribes, explore ecotypes from humid rainforest to dry sandstone mountains and the otherworldly spiny bush, at the sub-desert south-west coast. For wildlife enthusiasts, we've added on a stay in Andsibe-Mantadia NP which can be slotted in at the start as we've presented it here, or, at the end of the trip.

Pics © Craig Kaufman (CK) unless otherwise indicated


Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Fly to Antananarivo.

Staying at Relais Des Plateaux

Fly Antananarivo. On arrival this evening you are met at the airport and transferred to Relais des Plateaux to stay overnight, breakfast included.

Day 2 Magical Andasibe-Mantadia - the Malagasy rainforest experience

Staying at Andasibe Hotel

The three nights you spend in Antananarivo can be done now, or at the end of your itinerary - this can be tailored to suit you.

After a lie-in, your professional guide and driver meet you. Travel about 5 hours to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park for 3 nights in either Andasibe Hotel or Vakona Forest Lodge, half board.

Enjoy an introductory rainforest walk.

Day 3 Meeting the rainforest denizens of Andasibe-Mantadia

Day 4 Mantadia National Park

Day 5 Driving to Antsirabe - Highlands Life

Day 6 Drive to Ranomafana National Park

Days 7 - 8 Ranomafana National Park

Day 9 Meandering southwards to Ambalavao

Day 10 Anja Parc for a Lemur fix and Isalo

Day 11 Isalo: canyons, cliffs and valleys

Day 12 Head to the coast

Day 13 Ifaty Beach and Spiny Bush

Day 14 Fly back to Antananarivo

Day 15 Fly back home

Trips in Madagascar

Madagascar Trip Inspiration

Type

All

Location

All

Price

Sort by

Featured

Speak to a Madagascar expert today

and start planning your tailor-made holiday

Call 0203 111 1315
or

Alistair

Madagascar Expert

When to go to Madagascar

Find out the best time to visit Madagascar with our month by month guide.

  • Best
  • Good
  • Mixed
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

January

The cyclone season in Madagascar is between January and March, which means it's hot and wet and isn't the best time of year to travel. The east coast is generally wetter than the west or south.

Expand

February

February is the wettest month, with heavy downpours and the risk of cyclones making travel difficult, and wildlife hard to spot.

Expand

March

March remains hot and wet, with high humidity making travel uncomfortable. The south is generally a bit drier and the roads more manageable than the north.

Expand

April

There are still heavy rain showers during April, May and June, but they don't disrupt too many activities, and the sun often shines in between. Parks are now open to visitors and it's a great time to visit Andasibe and Berenty, with the greenery lush and the wildlife coming out of hiding.

Expand

May

The rains have left the landscapes looking green and lush, and now is a great time to try and spot the famous lemurs. The tourists haven't yet arrived en-masse so accommodation is cheaper and easier to find. There are still a few rain showers, but sun prevails, making May an excellent overall choice for travel.

Expand

June

With the rain finally subsiding, the air becomes fresh and cool, with sunshine and just a few showers punctuating the day. It's a great time to travel across much of the country, and still outside of peak season it's easier to find accommodation at good prices.

Expand

July

July is the beginning of the peak season, with dry weather and lower temperatures meaning this is a great time to go trekking or explore the rainforests. Lemurs and other forest dwellers have come out of hiding, and humpback whales gather to calve offshore, with sightings frequent between now and September. July is one of the best times to visit Madagascar.

Expand

August

August is similar to July, with comfortably cool temperatures and sunny skies. It's another good month for whale watching, and for exploring Madagascar's many regions.

Expand

September

Want to see a baby lemur? Now is the time to visit, when lemurs give birth. The cooler weather is at an end, and temperatures begin to rise, bringing with them a few showers in anticipation of the approaching rainy season. It's quieter than July and August, and therefore an ideal month to visit Madagascar. Whale watching is still on the cards too.

Expand

October

Baby lemurs are still hopping around during October, and the warmer weather means it's an excellent time for the beaches and snorkelling in the turquoise ocean. Keep an eye out for the blooming purple jacarandas, and see if you can spot fossas in the western forests.

Expand

November

Increasing temperatures around Madagascar mean hot days, but the arrival of short rain showers helps cool things down. Wildlife is very active during November, so it's a great time for lemur spotting, as well as birds during their breeding season.

Expand

December

December is the start of the wet season in Madagascar, with high temperatures (the hottest of the year) and short, sharp rain showers. It's a bit cooler and drier in the south west of the island. It's a quieter time to travel, and if you visit at the beginning of the month, the beaches will still be glorious.

Expand

Plan with an expert Plan with an expert

Have a look at our original holiday experiences and then contact us with your brief, or call 0203 111 1315

A tailor-made itinerary just for you A tailor-made itinerary just for you

Our experts will send you a detailed holiday itinerary specified to your desires. It's our service promise to you.

Value guarantee Value guarantee

Tailor-made doesn't mean expensive! Ask about our price promise and book with financial security.