Madagascar tour without domestic flights

Madagascar’s climate is tropical: the rainy season generally runs from December to March, with cyclones possible in the south and east. For an overland tour without domestic flights, it is advisable to travel during the dry season, between April–May and October. During these months, rainfall is light and the weather is mild, making long drives easier. July and August are very busy months (high season), and the end of the dry season (September–October) is often ideal because the weather remains stable and temperatures are cooler. Conversely, avoid the tropical rainy period from January to March, when some roads may become muddy and rains can disrupt travel.

Absolutely. Madagascar is an excellent family adventure destination. Children can discover extraordinary nature while enjoying fun activities (watching lemurs, snorkeling trips, short hikes). As one family travel site notes, “visiting Madagascar as a family means immersing yourself in a unique nature that is 80% endemic… alternating between white-sand beaches, baobab forests, and tropical rainforests.” Mada Tours Guide takes family comfort into account: daily journeys are kept moderate (2 to 6 hours of driving maximum), often with two nights in the same place to avoid travel fatigue. Regular breaks are planned for rest, and the selected accommodations are child-friendly (family rooms, pools at some lodges, etc.). Moreover, certain stages, like swimming in Isalo’s natural pool or visiting the Reniala Reserve in Ifaty, offer restful interludes that younger travelers especially enjoy.

For a full tour of Madagascar, a 4×4 vehicle is strongly recommended, even when you’re not taking flights. The main national roads (RN7, RN6, RN2, RN4) are generally paved and passable, but some routes to the southwest (in particular between Morondava and Tulear) involve rough tracks. The drivers at Mada Tours Guide therefore use all-terrain 4×4 vehicles adapted to local conditions. These vehicles provide greater comfort on dirt roads and better stability in the mountains. In practice, you won’t be driving: an experienced driver-guide takes care of the road. He knows the delicate stretches and will choose the safest routes (for example, avoiding certain passages during the rainy season). The advantage of a 4×4 is also that you can easily stop in the middle of nature or in a remote village.

Connections between the East coast (Antananarivo, Andasibe, Toamasina) and the West coast (Morondava, Baobabs, Tsingy) can be made entirely by road. Two main routes exist: one via RN34 in the north, or via RN7 and RN35 in the south. Many travelers drive along RN7 to Miandrivazo, then journey by pirogue down the Tsiribihina River westward. This river journey (over several days) is a trip in itself, taking you through gorges, isolated villages, and forests along the river. It is one way to reach Bekopaka (the Tsingy) from the south without flying.
Mada Tours Guide’s teams organize this river transfer as soon as you arrive in Miandrivazo: the tour itinerary includes the multi-day descent of the Tsiribihina in a pirogue-lodge. Alternatively, you can continue by 4×4 over the full distance (via Morondava): you would retrace RN35/Tulear back to Morondava, then go north via RN34 and RN4 towards Antananarivo. In any case, no domestic flight is necessary to travel from one coast to the other: the planned roads and waterways are sufficient to link the East and West in 15 days.

A typical 15-day itinerary is well balanced to avoid excessively long driving days. On average, plan about 4 to 6 hours of driving per day, interspersed with regular breaks. Mada Tours Guide favors the “mora mora” pace: each drive is undertaken unhurriedly, with tourist or meal stops to break the journey. As a result, daily routes usually do not exceed 300 km. Of course, some legs can be longer (for example, Tulear to Morondava is about a 12-hour drive). On these exceptional days, the team may schedule an extra break or even split the drive into two half-days. Overall, the tour is designed to be family-friendly: nights are often spent two consecutive nights in the same location, allowing a rest day in between and avoiding an exhausting pace. The goal is to enjoy the scenery while driving, without sacrificing ample rest time.

Before leaving, ensure that your basic vaccinations are up to date and that you have any necessary treatments. In Madagascar, vaccinations against hepatitis A and typhoid are generally recommended. A yellow fever vaccination schedule is required for travelers coming from a country where the virus is present. (If you come from Europe or America, this vaccine is not required upon entry.) Madagascar is also an active malaria zone year-round. It is strongly advised to take appropriate antimalarial prophylaxis, and to protect yourself effectively from mosquitoes (repellents, impregnated bed nets) throughout your stay.  Additionally, bring your usual medications (painkillers, anti-diarrheal drugs) to cope with minor ailments. Drink only bottled water and avoid consuming fruits that are not thoroughly peeled to minimize the risk of diarrhea. Finally, make sure to check your travel insurance: it should cover medical expenses abroad and repatriation.