Africa & the Middle East Forums

Start a new topic Change Forum

Advanced search

Crazy Idea?

Posted by: Sliderman on Apr 7, 10 at 11:10 AM Posted in: Africa & the Middle East Tagged: Jump to last reply

I and my teenage son are planning to go to Madagascar in June for about 3 weeks. After considering several options, I was thinking of renting a car for 2-3 weeks (with driver) and then heading east from Tana and then north-terminating in Masoala. Our main interest is wildlife, with some time spent in towns and cities along the way to get some cultural experiences.

This seems to me to be the most efficient way to see most places in the short time and budget we have. I read horrid things about roads in Madagascar. Is this a bad idea?

If so, can you suggest an alternate itinerary that would maximize seeing wildlife?

Thanks!!

1 Reply |

Add a Reply
  • Report Abuse
    birrell on May 13, 10 at 05:00 PM

    Just seen your post, and may be a bit late for your planning.
    Definitely hire a car and driver.
    East gets you to Andisibe - well worth the visit, but then Tamatave. I haven't seen any positive things about this port city. Foulpoint apparently good. And Masoala excellent national Park. But not at all sure about the roads up that coast.
    We spent 2 weeks in Mada.
    Went directly to Lac Itasy (Ampefy) for 2 nights and stayed with English expat to get adjusted to things Mada. His wife is Malagasy.
    Then back to Tana on on to Andisibe the same day. Travel took most of the day. 2 nights at Andisibe - Grace Hotel very nice.
    Then 8 days travelling south on the RN7 to Tulear. That route gives a wide variety of what Mada has to offer.
    Lemur Park outside Tana
    Towns/cities of Antsirabe, Ambositra, Fianarantsoa, Ambalavao
    Nat Parks of Rnamafana, Isoalo, plus Anja Reserve for Ringtail lemurs. And the arid south with its strange plants.
    Fly back to Tana from Tulear.
    Its the main tourist route, but not overly touristy.
    Have alook at the website of Rijatours for an idea of whats possible. They were excellent for us.
    You will love Mada whatever you do.
    Try the website Flickr for photos. Just search by town or city, or topic eg taxibrousse, lemur. Also great vids on You tube.

    •

1 Reply |Back to top

| Add a Reply

Sign in to comment.

Recent Activity

View all Africa & the Middle East activity »
  1. 1 2 weeks in South Africa with teens by BarryJE | 4 responses; most recent on May 20, 13 at 11:15 PM Tagged:
  2. 2 Cross Egypt Challenge and 4 extra days by Canuck_at_Canada_eh | 4 responses; most recent on May 20, 13 at 09:34 PM Tagged:
  3. 3 Morocco - private tour operators by Sandeak | 9 responses; most recent on May 20, 13 at 07:05 PM Tagged:
  4. 4 Trip Report Morocco . . . Rough Around the Edges by Ian | 21 responses; most recent on May 20, 13 at 06:59 PM Tagged:
  5. 5 6 nights in Morocco - how long to spend in marrakech and fes each? by sussysawit | 2 responses; most recent on May 20, 13 at 06:54 PM Tagged:
  6. 6 Trip Report Our best trip ever - in Morocco by Barbara_and_Bob | 8 responses; most recent on May 20, 13 at 06:48 PM Tagged:
  7. 7 Trip Report TRIP REPORT: Northern Tanzania with a Birding Twist 2/13 by jczinn | 23 responses; most recent on May 20, 13 at 05:17 PM Tagged:
  8. 8 Experience with Journey Beyond Travel or Sahara Services in Morocco? by cdc | 4 responses; most recent on May 20, 13 at 04:19 PM Tagged:
  9. 9 Budget Safari options in Botswana? by Aleckii | 2 responses; most recent on May 20, 13 at 03:27 PM Tagged:
  10. 10 Yellow Fevor innoculation revisited by jaydh42 | 12 responses; most recent on May 20, 13 at 02:30 PM Tagged:
  11. 11 Morocco Tour Operators: Morocco Expert Tours by Verohikers | 1 responses; most recent on May 20, 13 at 11:22 AM Tagged:
  12. 12 Trip Report Mozambique 1 - 13 June 2013. by Duvies | 1 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 11:13 PM Tagged:
  13. 13 Trip Report Tanzania Feb 2013 -- my first but not last safari! by amyb | 42 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 06:57 PM Tagged:
  14. 14 Most Romantic Places in Marrakech or Essaouira? by ivywinter | 3 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 10:50 AM Tagged:
  15. 15 Help with Zambia itinerary? Victoria's Fall, South Luwangha NP by Aleckii | 4 responses; most recent on May 19, 13 at 06:13 AM Tagged:
  16. 16 Africa Safari by sljap | 8 responses; most recent on May 18, 13 at 09:42 PM Tagged: , , ,
  17. 17 Questions re Gorillas in Rwanda and money in both Rwanda and Tanzania by KayeN | 68 responses; most recent on May 18, 13 at 04:34 PM Tagged: ,
  18. 18 Kruger Park trip by pault14 | 8 responses; most recent on May 18, 13 at 12:30 PM Tagged:
  19. 19 First time in Zimbawbe, SA, Safari, etc. Really need your help. by Gilawi02 | 18 responses; most recent on May 18, 13 at 09:46 AM Tagged:
  20. 20 Exclusie use vehicles at Mala Mala and Londolozi by philw | 12 responses; most recent on May 17, 13 at 11:00 PM Tagged:
  21. 21 phone service by olive1209 | 1 responses; most recent on May 17, 13 at 07:30 PM
  22. 22 how to join a Kenya safari once in country by theresamary127 | 5 responses; most recent on May 17, 13 at 04:32 PM Tagged:
  23. 23 Qatar - Doha my photos by toscanafoto | 5 responses; most recent on May 17, 13 at 10:45 AM Tagged:
  24. 24 The Grace Hotel (Johannesburg) is closing by DonTopaz | 5 responses; most recent on May 16, 13 at 03:35 PM Tagged:
  25. 25 Kenya + Ngorongoro or Serengeti? by RJames | 1 responses; most recent on May 16, 13 at 03:30 PM Tagged: ,
View next 25 » Back to the top