Route notice in Madagascar for the month of July 2024: the RN7 then the East – Madagascar – Forums Routard.com Route notice in Madagascar for the month of July 2024: the RN7 then the East – Forum Madagascar

Good morning

I had to cancel my trip to Madagascar last year because I didn’t get my passport in time, but it has since been done and here I am again planning the route. Initially, I planned to leave for Fianrantsoa, ​​take the FCE, go up the pangalanes and finish in Sainte-Marie. But ultimately I ask myself the question of not taking the FCE to go to the end of the N7, which will allow me to see the landscapes of Ambalavao, the Isalo park and the baobabs.

The main stages of the journey would be as follows:

Could you tell me what you think about it, particularly if the route seems realistic to you and if I am not missing any important steps?

Regarding the TCE, I noted that it leaves Andasibe on Thursday but I do not know if it is reliable and if it would not be in my interest to go to Ankanin’ny Nofy instead and then go back up to ‘to Tamatave by canoe before joining Sainte-Marie.

Your ideas and comments are welcome

THANKS

Good morning,
The route you plan to take is totally achievable in my opinion. But I still advise you to be vigilant on the Tulèar – Tana and Andasibe connection, because knowing this great professional company, you are likely to have a surprise or even a cancellation. In addition, the road to Andasibe is no longer the same as before, it’s rotten now. I think you should plan to stay one night in Tana.
Concerning the TCE Train, normally it is on Thursday and Sunday only if it does not change between now and then.
Good stay
N.M.

Good morning
On the RN7 part, clearly being on day 6 in Ifaty means not taking many steps on the descent. I don’t really see the point of the Ambatolampy ruling but also Antsirabe or even Fianarantsoa in the way you envision it. Basically throughout the journey, there isn’t really a stage as such.
As the road takes time, you have to eat, settle into your hotel, if you want to take a stopover to discover something, in my opinion you need to count on 2 nights and 1 full day and in this case we can talk about stage. Otherwise it’s just a stop to take a photo and see a foundry workshop or a wood store or I don’t know what. Not of much interest in my opinion.

For my part, given the time you have and what you plan to do, it makes much more sense to do the loop, integrating the pangalanes and going no further than Ambalavao on the RN7. By taking the FCE or not because you can also go to Mananjary to take the boat, stopping at Ranomafana for a visit to the park.

I don’t see the point of Ifaty when you go to Ste Marie.

It is always better to do less, not too many steps, less road and not in diametrically opposed regions.

Hello and thank you for your feedback

In fact even for the journey with the FCE, as we are constrained by the departure day, we would be on the same pace until Fianarantsoa.

The difference lies afterwards with either the FCE then the Pangalanes, or Isalo and Ifaty. My fear with the FCE is the more random side and then there are 3 days of navigation on the Pangalanes where I have the impression that we will not be in much contact with the population. And then leaving towards Ifaty, we will see the baobabs

If we descended more slowly towards Ifaty, where would it be worth spending more time: 2 days in Antsirabe, 2 days in Fianarantsoa (to see Ranomafana for example) or other things?

And then in your opinion on the 2nd part of the route, from Andasibe, is it interesting to take the TCE from Andasibe to Tamatave or would it be better to go to Ankanin’ny Nofy and go back by boat to Tamatave?

Good morning,
About TCE, I don’t think the train goes to Tamatave if we refer to their website, I don’t know if it is updated. Moramanga – Ambila on Sunday and Thursday.

It’s up to you.
On the pangalanes, we are much more in contact with the population, especially if we take the bush boat, we will hardly do better. But in short.

For my part, I will not go lower than Ambalavao and would take more time for the rest while keeping the FCE (if it rolls) and for a west loop (even without FCE).

Not particularly a passion for Ifaty even if there are a few baobabs. And a lot of road in my opinion, of time, for something which is not worth upsetting your initial program.

But it’s you who see

In fact if you want to see the baobabs, be in contact with the local population, discover the Mada parks and enjoy Sainte Marie, I advise you to do the Andasibe park first and then leave for Antsirabe for a few days before do the descent of the tsiribihina in 3 days including 2 nights in bivouacs, then you can do the tsingy which are still unique in the world and to finish the avenue of baobabs. In 16 days there it’s largely doable and it’s a great trip.
Afterwards you can take the plane Morondava – Sainte Marie via Tana.

Good morning,

In fact for the bush boat, from what I have seen we know when we are leaving but not really when we arrive. There are a lot of uncertainties for the loop, both on the FCE and on the rise from the Pangalanes. I keep the route in mind but in a little less than 3 weeks it seems too random and could make me miss other parts that I would really like to do. For example, I would not want to take the risk of amputating Sainte-Marie. And for the Tsiribihina, I had also looked but I will favor the N7 and the Isalo park.

I understand that Ifaty is not the best place to spend the most time on the course but I don’t know if it is in my interest to stay longer on Isalo or elsewhere? And thank you for the TCE, indeed I have the impression that it does not go as far as Tamatave, I am checking.

You do as you want.
For the FCE, I don’t see the problem because you can take the road to Mananjary via Ranomafana and not take the train.
Concerning the bush boat, it is uncertain for 3 days instead of 2 for example but nothing more than that. There are boats leaving every day because it is a major axis of communication.
For my part, I did this loop at ease and without stress, counting 1 week in Ste Marie in 15 nights. All by taxi and bush boat. But not the FCE, Direct Mananjary from Fianar.

But in short, I’m not trying to insist on convincing you, you have to take your trip as you feel. And advisors are not the payers.

Hi
I took the famous train last year to go to Tamatave => Andasibe. It was VERY (too) long for the “few” kilometers to travel (12 hours of train for a little over 200km) and frankly the train is nothing exceptional…ok the landscapes are nice and the price (10 euros) was attractive, but just for the duration, in your place I would take the car… And as for comfort if you ever take it (the train is brand new, I had the chance to inaugurate the new train ) take 1st class, because the seats are relatively comfortable. These are minibus seats (yes we are in Mada), second class are metal frame seats like in airports…

Good morning.
Your itinerary is good, but I suggest you make a stop in Ambositra and visit the Zafimaniry Country, then for the Ambalavao and Isalo park, also take 2 days of each (it’s better for the visit) then for Tamatave, the train does not make the connection but I suggest you go to Manambato or you will take the boat which makes the connection in the Pangalane canal to Tamatave and take the car to Soanierana ivongo or Mahambo for the crossing to ‘to Sainte Marie.
If you have not yet found a car and guide, do not hesitate to contact me at ggam.guides@gmail.com
My whatsapp is +261346818190.
Kind regards and see you soon