Madagascar · RN5 · 4×4

RN5 Madagascar — The impossible road

A demanding road, meaningful encounters and exceptional discoveries

7 to 20-day 4x4 adventure — Entirely tailor-made

Green Land Rover carried on a traditional raft on Madagascar’s RN5 — The road continues on the water.

We build your journey with you. The stops, discoveries and stays described here are possibilities: no sightseeing activity is compulsory.

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A demanding road

Technical tracks, wooden bridges and river crossings: the RN5 calls for patience and care. Allow around 5 to 10 days between Soanierana Ivongo and Maroantsetra, depending on track conditions and the weather.

The pace and crossings adapt to the terrain. Every obstacle is assessed and prepared; safety guides our decisions.

Green Land Rover crossing a wooden bridge on the RN5 — Wooden bridges: assess before crossing.

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An accompanied adventure

You can drive your own 4x4 on an accompanied self-drive journey. Support is compulsory on this technical stretch of the RN5: a support vehicle brings up the rear and walkie-talkies keep the convoy in contact.

We travel slowly through villages, respect local residents and share the road. This is not a rally.

Beige 4x4 travelling along a technical track in Madagascar — A supported adventure at the pace of the terrain.

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Discoveries of your choice

Depending on your starting point and interests, Andasibe, the Palmarium and the Pangalanes can enrich your journey. East Coast villages offer opportunities to meet people and discover everyday life.

Mananara-Nord National Park and the islets of Nosy Antafana are further possible discoveries. We choose each visit with you, according to your available time and local conditions.

Meeting local residents beside a ford on Madagascar’s East Coast — Encounters are part of the journey.

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The journey’s high point — Masoala and Antongil Bay

At the end of the track, another world: from Maroantsetra, Masoala and Antongil Bay offer time between tropical rainforest, biodiversity and the ocean.

In season, humpback whales may provide an exceptional encounter, although sightings cannot be guaranteed. You can extend the adventure with a lodge stay reached by pirogue, subject to navigation conditions.

This extension is entirely optional: you choose how long to stay and which experiences appeal to you.

Humpback whale showing its tail fluke at sea — Humpback whales, a possible seasonal discovery.

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Planning your adventure

Start from Antananarivo or Tamatave. Your 7 to 20-day journey is designed around your interests, pace and appetite for adventure.

Simple or comfortable accommodation, organised camping, meals and equipment are planned around your chosen stops. We discuss the options with you before departure.

4x4 crossing a river in Madagascar — Crossings are planned around the conditions.

Route Secondaire.travel

Your pace. Your interests. Our experience.

Let’s build your RN5 adventure