Must see in Madagascar? Best way to get around?

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zuzaher
zuzaher

Hello,
me and my boyfriend are going to Madagascar for 4 weeks in November. We are planning to visit the NP along the main road going from TANA south - ie. Ranamafana, Andringita, Isalo. Anything else on the road that should not be missed? Then we are deciding either to go to Tolanaro (Fort Dauphin) or Toliare - what would you recommend?
What is the best way to do this trip??? to rent a car? is that possible ONE WAY only and without a driver? How long would the journey take?

We would also like to go to Morondava to see the baobab alley and then continue to th Grand Tsingy - what is the best way to do this trip? I have read that it is not accessible in november because of the rainy season...

Finally we would like to spend a few days snorkelling somewhere abour the Nosy Be, nosy Komba or elsewhere ... What are the best islands to go to for snorkelling - low budget, few tourists ... :)

Thank you all for your advice.
Zuzana

Edited by: zuzaher

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f3008
f3008

Hello,
For your holidays i would to suggest you first go to Tsiribihna river and then continue to Tsingy why because the rain time is start arroud the end of november so Tsingy will close for this time all you need 08days at least , 03days on the river and 03days in Tsingy after here you fly to Fort-Dauphin( from Morondava) there you decide if you want follow the south east coast to reach Toliary after visiting Berenty you 'll need at least 05days for this after Toliary you drive back to Tana step by step pass in Isalo park, Andringitra park,Ranomafana park and if you more interresting about the nature you can continue to Andasibe where you'll find the largest lemur in this country just 03hours from the highland all you'll need at least 15days from Toliary to reach Tana, then you can fly to Nosy-be or Diego from Tana for snorkelling and beach; if you like i would to recommand you as freelance guide who can organise your tour so contact him :fihlusko07@hotmail.com.You can ask him more information.
Good luck
Ken

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zuzaher
zuzaher

Hi Ken,
thank you for your answer.
What is the best way to travel around?
Should we go for taxi brousses or better to rent a car?
Will we we able to the the whole trip with taxe brousse?
Is it worth going to Tsingy and Morondava (as we might not have as much time...)???

Zuzana

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f3008
f3008

Hello Zuzana,
the best way travel arround is car but sometimes you need flight and for fort-Dauphin if you want to follow the coast you'll need hire the 4WD and after Toliary drive back to Tana you can take taxi-brousse but it's not confortable and you can't stop anywhere you want to take pictures so i would to suggest you hire car, for the Tsingy if you have not much time i want not to mention to go to Tsingy .
Have good luck
Ken

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beritk
beritk

Hi.
Renting a car without driver is not easy to find. but eiher way it's rather expensive. There's a bus from Fort Dauphin (check out www.madasmiles.com) to Tana, which stops along the way at all the tourist spots. You pay the fare once and hop on/off wherever you want.
Taxi brousse is a good option to experience madagassy lifestyle and make aquaintances. just avoid long and overnight trips.
From Morondava you can get on an organized tour to the tsingys. There's plenty of offices in Morondava. best way to get there is a 4x4. The rainy season starts at the end of November in that corner of Madagascar.
Maybe you should get a guide book (Bradt), and beware of touts in this forum. They tend to spam French forums about Madagascar already...

Happy trails
Berit

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jane361
jane361

I am SO glad to learn that Madasmiles is still operating. I learned about them several months ago while researching the now defunct MadaBus. As I am now seriously planning our trip to Madagascar, I will definitely make contact with them (if I can muddle through the French!)
Thanks for posting.
Jane

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