The Southern Road and its Highlights
Highlights: typical highland landscapes, Ranomafana National Park, Isalo National Park, the baobab reserve and the beach. The RN7 is the classic Madagascar road trip — and the best first journey through the island.
What you'll experience
- Typical highland landscapes and rice terraces
- Ranomafana National Park and its golden bamboo lemur
- Anja reserve: ring-tailed lemurs among granite boulders
- Isalo National Park: canyons, natural pools, sunset window
- Baobab reserve and Zombitse dry forest
- Four nights on the beach at Ifaty
Why the RN7 remains the best introduction to Madagascar
In eleven days, the southern road crosses almost every landscape the island has to offer: terraced rice fields of the highlands, the rainforest of Ranomafana, the granite of Ambalavao, the sandstone canyons of Isalo, the spiny forest of the south-west and finally the coral lagoon of Ifaty.
It is also the easiest route logistically — paved roads throughout, comfortable hotels at each stage, and short driving days that leave real time for walking and meeting people.
Photos from this tour
Your detailed programme
- 1
Arrival Antananarivo
Welcome at Ivato airport, transfer and overnight in the capital.
- 2
Antananarivo – Antsirabe
Southbound on the RN7 through the highlands. Antsirabe, the city of rickshaws, its thermal past and gemstone workshops.
- 3
Antsirabe – Ranomafana
Ambositra and Zafimaniry woodcarving, then the descent into the rainforest. Night walk at the park entrance.
- 4
Ranomafana – Fianarantsoa
Morning in Ranomafana National Park, then on to Fianarantsoa and its old town.
- 5
Fianarantsoa – Ranohira
Ambalavao: Antaimoro paper, zebu market and Anja reserve. Crossing the Horombe plateau to Ranohira.
- 6
Ranohira (Isalo)
Full day in Isalo: Canyon des Makis, natural swimming pool and sunset at the Isalo window.
- 7
Ifaty
Through Ilakaka sapphire town and Zombitse forest to Tuléar, then the coastal track to Ifaty.
- 8
Ifaty
Snorkelling on the reef, pirogue outing with Vezo fishermen or the baobab and spiny forest reserve.
- 9
Ifaty
Free day: beach, whale watching in season (July–September) or a visit to Mangily village.
- 10
Ifaty – Tuléar – Antananarivo
Transfer to Tuléar and flight back to the capital, last craft shopping.
- 11
Departure
Transfer to Ivato airport for your international flight.
- All airport / hotel / airport transfers as per the detailed programme
- Accommodation on a half-board basis throughout the tour
- All visits and entrance fees to national parks and reserves listed in the programme
- One bottle of water per person per day
- An English or French speaking driver-guide
- Tourist taxes
- A four-wheel drive from Tana to Ifaty, petrol included
- — Lunches
- — Drinks
- — Any visit not mentioned in the programme, or taken as an option
- — Domestic flights
- — Comprehensive travel insurance
Check availability for this tour
A local English-speaking advisor replies within 24 hours. 100% customizable: dates, accommodations, beach extensions.