First time to Madagascar info appreciated Jan/Feb travel

Hi,

The rainy season doesn't mean it rains all day - it can do, for days on end, and it can equally well be sunny for days on end or you can have a mixture of rain and sun. Matter of luck. The only serious potential weather problem is a cyclone. They don't normally hit that area, but one did pass close to Tana this year.

The RN7 from Tana to Toliara is blacktop all the way, so you don't need a 4x4 unless you intend to take side trips on unmade roads. Even the road to Ranomafana NP is now reportedly metalled, but people used to take non-4x4s in even when it was still a mud trail.

You should have no problems doing it there and back in three weeks. In fact you should also be able to include Andasibe, which is out to the east of Tana on the metalled road to Toamasina/Tamatave.

There's no national pass for the parks. You pay your entry fee for however many days you want at each park, and hire your (compulsory) guide from those who are available when you turn up.

If you take a vehicle with a driver, you should get a cheaper deal because you'll have more choice. Companies offering self-drive hires are very few (check out the Madarental and Hertz websites for this type of hire). I prefer to travel by taxi brousse, so I can't recommend a company. If no one posts a recommendation you like, then ask your hotel in Tana for a recommendation when you get there. This sort of thing can usually be arranged at a moment's notice. You may find, though, that it is difficult to get hold of a driver with good English.

Of course you can always pm mglance, who is the latest spammer to turn up on the Madagascar part of the forum and see what he has to offer.

Thank you very much for the info Marogisa.

what are you exact dates? I will be there from Jan 4-17th and am looking for a travel buddy. I want to do the RN7 south from Tana.

Hi Traveltrail,
We did the RN7 Tana to Tulear in Sept with Rija Tours in 8 days. He acted as our guide and employed a driver in a Mazda van (6 of us). We planned an itinerary based on his one on his website and he allowed us to make suggestions about accommodation. We were very apprehensive about this country but Rija was excellent to deal with and fun to travel with. He speaks very good English. Also his driver Nicholas spoke very good English. Both of them had a great sense of fun and worked very hard to please us. ( we had a birthday party one night in Ranohira - a very small town near Isalo Park - and Nik organised an iced cake with suitable decoration on it. When you visit Ranohira you will be amazed at this feat).
We were amazed at the driving/overtaking style of drivers in Mada, and would recommend hiring a guide and driver. Travel times are slow because of traffic in the towns and width of the highways - driving in mada is mindboggling! And there are NO toilet stops along the way - sometimes 4 hours between likely places which were quality eating places - take dysentry pills!!!!
The RN7 is tarsealed all the way and there is a new sealed road to Ranomafana. I would suggest visiting the Lemur Park just out of Tana to the west, and Anja Park if you are hoping to see lemurs up close. At Andisibe and Ranomafana all our photos are of lemurs in the tree tops!
Our guide organised quality Englih speaking guides for us before we entered the NPs.
Ifaty - up the coast from Tulear - may be a good bet for snorkelling, but ask Rija for advice. We stayed in Lasaxaphone in Tulear based on LP comments, but wouldn't really recommend it, nor Hotel berny in Ranohira.
Visit You Tube and search the town names - there are heaps of short vids of these places to get an idea of the country.

hi

we are arriving in tana tomorrow, and are doing the RN7, will you be around?