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Extreme slope RN5 - tour for experienced slope lovers to drive themselves

Price from on request €
Duration 13 days
UAM-73

About the trip

Driving yourself on Madagascar's dirt roads

This tour is one of the few that, despite its high level of difficulty, can be driven practically all year round and it is also one of the very few tours that have been made accessible to our guests at the wheel of a Land Rover 90 as a self-driver.

Given the difficulties and efforts of this tour, a local driver / mechanic is mandatory to be present. He knows very well the conditions, difficulties peculiarities of the tour and can assist with advice and assistance.

The first part of the tour goes through the chaotic capital city where there are no signs or understandable traffic rules, and then we head east on the busy RN2. These two components of the trip are dangerous and should rather be left to the experienced local driver.

From Tamatave (Toamasina) the vehicles can be driven by the guests.

There is a possibility to have the drivers ride in an independent Land Rover, the cost of which is included in the total price. Otherwise the driver has to ride in the rented car, they take care of the logistics, tour guide and the condition of the vehicles. It is strongly advised to drive with two vehicles in case one gets stuck in the mud it can be pulled out again.

The Land Rovers for 2 people have only driver and passenger seats, it is the short version because they are more off-road and less touchdown when you have to drive up the steep ramps to the ferry.

But there are also those with 5 seats that are cheaper per person, these are also more suitable for the version with the mechanic riding along.

The travel days in detail

Day 1: Arrival in Antananarivo

After completing the visa formalities, you will be picked up by one of our guides or by the hotel directly at the airport. Depending on the time of arrival, either a hotel transfer and well-deserved rest is on the agenda or, if time permits, various activities are possible. In any case, the guesthouse is always close to the airport. Overnight stay in the "Villa Sibyl"

Day 2: Antananarivo - Andasibe

Early in the morning you will drive east on the winding and well-maintained RN 2. On the way you will have the opportunity to visit the famous private reserve "Madagascar Exotique" of the famous explorer Andre Pereyras, where an unimagined variety of reptiles, amphibians and - in a nearby forest - lemurs pose without shyness in front of the camera. Moramanga is the next stopover before heading to the nearby Analamazoatra area. Near the national park of Andasibe you will take up quarters and already have the opportunity to listen to the singing cries of the Indri-Indris, which often make their way into the hotel complex. Andasibe is probably one of the most visited places in Madagascar. Thousands of visitors come every year to see the largest lemur species in Madagascar. The proximity to the capital Antananarivo also contributes to the crowdedness of Andasibe NP. Mainly in high season it is very difficult to book a room in the few hotels. Therefore, the visit to Andasibe N.P. should be planned early. Overnight stay at the hotel "Eulophiella Lodge " or equivalent  

Day 3: Andasibe- Mitsinjo

Today, after breakfast, we will visit the Mitsinjo Reserve in Andasibe. On the hike of several hours you will see Indri-Indris and other, highly rare animal and plant species. After returning to the hotel in the late morning, we will go to the "Vakona Zoo": on the famous lemur island, which is approached by boat, numerous lemurs cavort, which were once taken from illegal captivity and "released" here. However, the animals have lost all shyness and literally jump on the visitors' noses. Therefore, washable rainwear is highly recommended. The nearby forest is home to a large number of crocodiles, the rare "fossa", and other zoological features of Madagascar. It can be easily explored on a 1 to 2 hour walk. Overnight at the hotel "Eulophiella Lodge " or equivalent.  

Day 4: Andasibe- Tamatave-Mahambo

Early in the morning you will leave the rainforest and continue on the rather busy road towards the east. After Brickaville, a small detour to Manambato and Lake Rasoabe can be made if the condition of the road allows it. After a longer lunch break, we will continue to Tamatave (Toamasina), the largest port city in Madagascar and the second largest city in the country. The road is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. 60 km north of Tamatave you will pass through Mahavelona (Foulpointe), a beach resort that has become a popular vacation spot mainly for city dwellers. Here you can swim. A coral barrier keeps the sharks away from the beach. On the other side of the road, a dense tropical forest already begins. Behind this town there is a "floating bridge". Since a cyclone destroyed the former bridge, it "floats" only partially during the rainy season and you have to drive through the water, but this should not be another problem with an off-road vehicle. After that you will reach Mahambo Bay, a much more beautiful, wild and peaceful place when compared to Foulpointe. Here, swimming is always safe. The hotel right on the beach is perfect before starting the Extreme Tour, which is on the program from the next day. Overnight stay at the hotel "La Pirogue".    

Day 5: Mahambo - Fenerive Est - Sonierana Ivongo - Manompana

The landscape seems wilder. You will cross Fenerive Est, a small town very typical of the east coast, surrounded by evergreen vegetation. In the rainy season, it smells of cloves and cinnamon. The trees are full of mangos and lychees. In the curves off Sonierana Ivongo, far out on the ocean, you can see the shadowy outline of Sainte Marie Island, which lies parallel to the coast of Madagascar about 40 km to the east. Sonierana Ivongo has very little to offer. Here the road ends suddenly on the bank of the river. It is a small town, but very lively because of its port. It is the starting point for the ferries to the island of Sainte Marie (which is not on the program of this trip, but can be scheduled individually on request). The same small port is also the starting point of one of the most impressive and powerful experiences that Madagascar has to offer, following the meanders of the river to the north instead of going east to the mouth of the sea. The Land Cruiser is driven onto a "ferry" and chugs through the twists and turns of the river to a primitive dock on the far bank. This is where the adventure really begins. It continues north on a sandy dirt road until the next river crossingAfter that, it continues on a bad, but not yet terrible dirt road until it reaches the bank of a third river, which also has to be crossed by ferry. Manompana was a pirate port because the huge Tintingue Bay was a natural shelter for the ships on the east coast of Madagascar. You are now only 200km north of the huge port city of Tamatave, but you are in a different world. The bay is gorgeous: coconut palms line miles of sandy beaches. The coral reef protects the coast. Overnight stay at the hotel "Au bon ancrage", located directly at the bay.

Day 6: Manompana and surroundings

This day begins with a quiet boat ride to the starting point of Ambodiriana Private Reserve, followed by a visit to the coastal rainforest there and return to Manompana in the afternoon. If there is enough time and if the sea is calm enough, a small detour to the "Ile aux Sorciers" (Island of the Shamans) can also be planned. Here rites are still performed today and there are quite a few local taboos. Overnight stay in the hotel "Au bon ancrage", located directly on the bay.  

Day 7: Manompana - Antanambe

Today's stage is only 40 km long, but the track becomes much more difficult: river crossings, mud, bridges, but also breathtakingly beautiful views of the ocean and the rainforest on the other side of the track. Antanambe is a peaceful place that has quite nice accommodation to offer. Overnight at the hotel "Chez Grondin", located directly on the ocean.

Day 8: Antanambe - Mananara North National Park

After breakfast you will go to the part of the huge reserve. About 6 hours of walking are on today's program. Lunch will take place near a waterfall. After that you can spend the rest of the day on the beach. Dinner and overnight stay "Chez Grondin".  

Day 9: Antanambe - Sahasoa

After breakfast you will start for 15km with an extreme slope, then you will take a motorboat towards the Marine Park of Mananara and the island of Nosy Antafana, left in virgin state. After visiting the national park you will return to Sahasoa. The eventful day ends with a visit to the village and a dinner at the association of the fishermen's wives in Sahasoa. Overnight stay "Association of fisherwomen", no other options available  

Day 10- Sahasoa - Mananara North

This section is the most terrifying of all. Here you are on a very extreme slope that can only be driven by very few drivers and only with specially prepared off-road vehicles. After arriving in Mananara, you will check into your hotel. Afterwards you will go to "Roger Island" to observe the rarest nocturnal lemurs in the world: the Aye Aye (Daubentonia Madagascariensis) live here. Overnight stay at the "Aye Aye Hotel

Day 11 to 13: Mananara North - Maroantsetra

This is where the real difficulty with the off-road vehicle begins. The track is in such a bad condition that the stretch between Maroantsetra and Mananara North is no longer passable even for professionals with specially adapted cars. Overnight stays are only possible in very simple accommodations or in tents. Maroantsetra is not only an absolute mecca for nature lovers, the small town is also known as the gateway to the huge Masoala Peninsula. The largest national park in Madagascar, known for its unique flora and fauna that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, starts here. Here at Antongil Bay between the sea and the humid and lush tropical forest, 100 km north of Mananara, is the end of the "road" from Tamatave towards the rainforest. From here there are only forest roads leading through the dense jungle or along the coastline north towards the Vanilla coast. Maroantsetra, located in the middle of Antongil Bay, is the starting point for many excursions and for more or less difficult trekking tours through the rainforest or along the coastline. Either on foot, by boat or even by kayak you can slowly advance. Due to the very favorable climatic conditions, this area has the most diversified and the densest and richest forests in Madagascar. The very remote location probably also contributes to the fact that here, much more than anywhere else in Madagascar, you can really experience absolutely untouched nature.  

Day 11 to 13: Mananara North - Maroantsetra

This is where the real difficulty with the off-road vehicle begins. The track is in such a bad condition that the stretch between Maroantsetra and Mananara North is no longer passable even for professionals with specially adapted cars. Overnight stays are only possible in very simple accommodations or in tents. Maroantsetra is not only an absolute mecca for nature lovers, the small town is also known as the gateway to the huge Masoala Peninsula. The largest national park in Madagascar, known for its unique flora and fauna that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, starts here. Here at Antongil Bay between the sea and the humid and lush tropical forest, 100 km north of Mananara, is the end of the "road" from Tamatave towards the rainforest. From here there are only forest roads leading through the dense jungle or along the coastline north towards the Vanilla coast. Maroantsetra, located in the middle of Antongil Bay, is the starting point for many excursions and for more or less difficult trekking tours through the rainforest or along the coastline. Either on foot, by boat or even by kayak you can slowly advance. Due to the very favorable climatic conditions, this area has the most diversified and the densest and richest forests in Madagascar. The very remote location probably also contributes to the fact that here, much more than anywhere else in Madagascar, you can really experience absolutely untouched nature.  

Day 11 to 13: Maroantsetra

It is a unique opportunity to experience immaculate and endless beaches of fine sand, fantastic landscapes and an intact traditional culture. For the "elite" hikers and nature lovers, Maroantsetra is also the starting point for a 5 to 7 day trekking tour that goes right through the rainforest of the Masoala Peninsula. In addition, the Masoala N.P. is completely crossed. The area also represents the only overland access to the Vanilla Coast. The difficulty of access to this region, both by land and by the small plane that flies to Maroantsetra, is directly related to the very low flow of visitors. On the other hand, this guarantees the authenticity of this unique region, which it will surely keep for a long time. Here in Maroantsetra the slope experience ends, but other adventures are already waiting for you. This trip will be customized according to your wishes and expectations. If If you are interested: please contact us. Our services in Masola and the surrounding area are provided by two different highly specialized partners and local suppliers: Arol Lodge Masoala Forest Lodge      

Important notes

A local and resident driver will be present throughout the trip and will maintain the status of "captain on board", as he knows the roads and the conditions of the trip and can assess situations and dangers much better. He has the right to take over the car if the guests drive badly or dangerously. Guests have the right to drive with the exception of the chaotic city of Antananarivo as long as they do not endanger other people, themselves, the Toyota Landcruiser provided or other vehicles. The stages are planned so that it should never happen at night. This tour is customized according to the wishes and expectations of the guests, therefore there is no flat rate for it. Please inquire directly with. It is possible to book this tour as an individual tour on your travel dates. This tour is only possible from mid-May to mid-November. The south and the east of Madagascar are very hot areas, the coolest months would be June to August but in the remaining months where the tour is offered it is of course also feasible without any problems. Although it is not a physically demanding trip, it should be clear from the beginning that the participants should not have any serious health problems because medical care can be difficult when you are far from the usual routes. The climate is mostly very warm to hot but it can get very cold in the highlands during the winter months (June to August), so both light summer clothing and warmer clothing must be taken.

Facts and figures

hh

13 days tour Extreme track Price per person
2 to 5 guests Upon request
6 to 8 guests Upon request

Services

At Base price included:

Logistics and accompaniment by an experienced English-speaking tour guide

One four-wheel drive car with driver per maximum 4 guests during the whole tour (diesel included)

The total nights in the specified hotels

Meals according to the program (breakfast) in very good restaurants

All transfers, trips including taxes according to the program

At Base price not included:

The drinks, and dinner and lunch

Tips and expenses of personal use

Sightseeing and excursions with additional local guides and optional leisure activities

International flights and domestic flights

Contact us and book the tour of your dreams

Pictures gallery

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FOR MADAGASCAR

After 10 months of total inactivity, self-employed people in the tourism industry in Madagascar are completely without income. There is no opening of the borders in sight in Madagascar and we are at the beginning of the rainy season, which is the low season, even in normal times. I have started a fundraiser for the guides and drivers I know well. From this money we will buy rice and other essentials and distribute them regularly, if possible, until the resumption of travel activities in April 2021 at the earliest. My special thanks to those who have already donated. I will start buying rice tomorrow and will begin distributing it this week.
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Or by bank transfer directly to my account to Klaus Konnerth
GLS Bank
IBAN: DE66430609674101878400
BIC: GENODEM1GLS
Keyword: Donation Madagascar

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FOR MADAGASCAR

I guarantee you that all donations to 100% will reach the people. Kind regards Klaus

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FOR MADAGASCAR

Thank you for thinking about donating to the poorest. Maybe you will come back here again.

I guarantee you that all donations to 100% will reach the people. Kind regards Klaus

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CONTACT

Do you have any questions? Simply get in touch with us! Please use the contact form on the right. We will take care of your request as soon as possible.

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