Contact in the North?

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KatieandTim
KatieandTim

Hi Everyone,

Have you traveled in the North of Madagascar and can offer advice on cars? Or even better, a contact for a driver?

Did you take taxi-brousses or did you hire a car/driver? We currently live in Fort Dauphin, and are planning a holiday up north for about 7 days mid-late December. As far as we understand, 4x4s are not needed. Because of our limited time, we want to travel quickly, but of course we are on a budget-- hence our questions.

We are wondering what the cost might be to hire a car/driver between Diego Suarez, Montagne d'Ambre (Joffreville), Ankarana, Ambanja, and Majunga. From there, we hope to be able to find space in taxi-brousses to travel on to Ankarafiantsika and finishing up in Tana.

If you have any information regarding car travel in this area, we would really appreciate it (or any other tips for that matter!)

-Katie and Tim :)

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marogisa
marogisa

I agree with #1, though I suppose it does depend on exactly what you mean by “about” 7 days. A more comfortable ten-day itinerary allowing you to actually experience the places en route might be:

Day 1: Diego – Montagne d’Ambre
Day 2: Montagne d’Ambre
Day 3: Montagne d’Ambre – Ankarana
Day 4: Ankarana
Day 5: Ankarana – Antsohihy
Day 6: Antsohihy – Mahajanga
Day 7: Mahajanga
Day 8: Mahajanga – Ankarafantsika
Day 9: Ankarafantsika
Day 10: Ankarafantsika – Tana

Days 5 and 6 will be long drives – around 360 and 470 km respectively – as will day 10.

When calculating your costs, remember that the driver of a hire care will want payment for the return journey that at least covers the cost of fuel.

If you want to get a taxi brousse from Ankarafantsika to Tana, you’d be well advised to book seats in Mahajanga before you leave for Ankarafantsika. Otherwise, you’ll find the long-distance vehicles will be full and won’t stop for you. It will also be useful to give the operator a cell-phone number so that the driver can let you know when he’s approaching Ankarafantsika – if you don’t, you could spend hours waiting by the side of the road.

You’re correct in assuming you won’t need a 4x4, but unfortunately, I can’t recommend a driver as I usually drive myself.

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