j'envisage un voyage à Madagascar début octobre pour faire la N7 de antananarivo à Toliara.
durée du voyage 22 jours avec 13 jour environ pour les visites et 7 jours farniente à Ifaty et avions.
J'hésite un peu à cause des problèmes de sécurité, que pouvez vous m'en dire ?
circuit envisagé:
Antananarivo - Antsirabe - Ambositra - Manakara - Fianarantsoa - Ranomafa - Ambalavao - Isalo - Toliara - nosyve - Anakao - Miary - St Augustin et retour par avion à Tana.
Bonsoir
Malgré les détracteurs Qui te répondrons que c'est sans soucis, je te conseille de prendre un véhicule avec chauffeur.
L'actualité, n'est pas de la science fiction .
Je ne me suis jamais sentie en insécurité à Madagascar et j'y retourne avec un groupe en novembre pour le même chemin mais en sens inverse.
Cependant il faut respecter les règles élémentaires de sécurité. Votre chauffeur connaît le terrain , les lieuX intéressants, les dialectes et les endroits à éviter.
Pour y aller tous les 2 ans, je ne peux pas dire que je connaisse extremement bien , cependant sur ce trajet la N7, je pense pouvoir vous renseigner si besoin.
Soyez respecteux des lieux et des fady et profitez un maximum de ce magnifique pays
en parlant de " fady " ( interdit traditionnel ) un ami chauffeur local m a raconté cette anecdote ; interpellant les autres chauffeurs sur le site " c est quoi ce cirque de fady ici , il n y en a jamais eu " réponse : on le sais tres bien mais les touristes aiment ça "... Comme le client a toujours raison ....
En 3 semaines nous sommes partis de Antananarivo pour Antsirabe ou nous sommes restés pour assister à une cérémonie de changement de linceuls des morts sur le plateaux. Ensuite Ambositra., puis Fianarantsoa. De là train pour Manakara. A Manakara ballade sur le canal des Pangalanes puis départ pour Farafangane. On pensait pouvoir de là couper sur Illhosie pour reprendre la RN7. Piste impraticable alors retour à Manakara puis Fianarantsoa pour repartir directement pout Tolear. Ensuite quelques jours paradisiaques à Mangiily et retour en avion pour Tana. Tout ça en taxi brousse et sac à dos.
en parlant de " fady " ( interdit traditionnel ) un ami chauffeur local m a raconté cette anecdote ; interpellant les autres chauffeurs sur le site " c est quoi ce cirque de fady ici , il n y en a jamais eu " réponse : on le sais tres bien mais les touristes aiment ça "... Comme le client a toujours raison ....
Bonjour,
Il ne faut pas dire que les "fady" n' existent pas, ils sont nombreux et variés en fonction des régions et des différentes ethnies.
Peu de malgaches n' ont aucun "fady" au moins en ce qui concerne la nourriture pour ne prendre qu' un exemple.
je n ai jamais dit que les " fady " n existaient pas mais j ai rapporté que sur un site touristique bien connu les chauffeurs /guides en avaient inventé un ...; a la stupéfaction d un ami chauffeur a qui il a été répondu les touristes aiment ça ( autant leur en servir )
Et oui, les touristes cherchent de "l'authentique" et du typique et les fady en font partie.
Partout où il y a du tourisme, il y a de l'exagération, d aucuns diront de la manipulation, afin de donner aux touristes ce qu'ils attendent. Un petit fady inventé fera l'anecdote et le touriste content.
Pas bien méchant.
Les vazaha ne sont de ttes facons pas tenus généralement comptables de leurs erreurs vis à vis des fady puisqu'ils ne sont pas sensés les connaître.
En 3 semaines nous sommes partis de Antananarivo pour Antsirabe ou nous sommes restés pour assister à une cérémonie de changement de linceuls des morts sur le plateaux. Ensuite Ambositra., puis Fianarantsoa. De là train pour Manakara. A Manakara ballade sur le canal des Pangalanes puis départ pour Farafangane. On pensait pouvoir de là couper sur Illhosie pour reprendre la RN7. Piste impraticable alors retour à Manakara puis Fianarantsoa pour repartir directement pout Tolear. Ensuite quelques jours paradisiaques à Mangiily et retour en avion pour Tana. Tout ça en taxi brousse et sac à dos.
Michel.
Bonjour et merci de votre réponse.
Votre voyage est il récent et durant votre périple avec vous eu des problèmes de sécurité ?
Je sais que ces problèmes de sécurité sont de plus en plus présents.
C'était en Juillet 2014, pas un seul problème au niveau sécurité. Des rencontres extrêmement sympathiques et des paysages à couper le souffle. Les taxis brousses sont souvent un peu longs à partir et bondés comme c'est pas possible, comme dans beaucoup d'autres pays (quoique là ils font un podium).
bonjour il est évident de prendre " impérativement " un chauffeur guide " mais l itinéraire proposé est intéressant de Tuléar un petit détours par Anakoa
pour la sécurité rouler de jour mais a mon sens pas de problème majeur sur ce parcours sinon bien faire attention pas de bijoux sur soi et autres valeurs le Sud Est avec " les Dahalo" est plus sensible .....
Sur la route Tana Antsirabe faire une halte a la ville " du foie gras'" de très bons restaurants dont un a gauche si intéresse ferai une recherche pour le nom !!!!mais très connu Antsirabe une belle petite ville a visiter ainsi que le lac Tritiva .
A Fianarantsoa 2 choix Est ou Ouest si changement d idée l Est avec le petit train Fianarantsoa Manakara un dépaysement complet et visite de petits villages extra ....1 journée de plaisir
Nous avons pris ce petit train plusieurs fois une découverte a chaque voyage la dernière fois 14 heures un peu déçu ( un peu de notre faute aurions du prendre connaissance des wagons de marchandise a décharger et charger dans chaque petite gare .... a éviter ....) et pour l anecdote la locomotive nous avais oublié dans une montée '"wagon s 'est détaché" on en ri après ..... cela fait tout drôle de voir le convoi partir et nous rester sur place pendant le parcours...
a Fianarantsoa visite des plantations de thé et un petit séjour de repos a l hôtel restaurant " Lac Hôtel " .Pour moi l 'Est.... est plus intéressant ( détours sur Ste Marie) moins aride que la région de Tuléar qui est aussi valable ...pour une première découverte ...
voila a votre disposition pour autre information cdt
Pour la partie Est je l'ai déjà faite en 2007 et effectivement je me suis vraiment régalé avec un final à l’île St Marie et ses baleines. Une surprise à chaque jour: Oui par exemple une panne de moteur sur le bateau au large après avoir vu les baleines ! et retour au port à la tombée de la nuit, mais tout se termine bien et ce sont de super souvenirs.
J'hésitais pour le petit train mais je le conserve donc au programme.
Bonjour
Comme je le dis parfois, ce n est pas un "petit" train mais un train tout simplement.
Il n est pas touristique et est utilisé par les ruraux tanala pour sortir leurs productions vers le pays Betsileo généralement et aussi pour s approvisionner.
C est une ligne vraiment sympa à faire et possible de s arreter en route par exemple à Tolongoina avant de rejoindre Ifanadina puis soit Manakara, soit Mananjary, soit Ranomafana.
For my 60th birthday (yes, I’m jumping the gun a bit!), I’m starting to plan a self-drive trip to Tanzania (in June).
I also considered Zimbabwe but I’m worried it might be a bit chilly at night in June.
I’ve revisited an itinerary I’d thought about before, tweaking it since I’ll have more days to dedicate to this trip. Still no big northern classics for the same reasons as before (too expensive, too crowded, too many tour operators).
Here’s what I’ve got so far:
(Arrival/departure from Kilimanjaro Airport)
Night 1: Arusha
Night 2: Arusha
Night 3: Lake Manyara
Night 4: On the way to Iringa (any ideas???)
Night 5: Iringa
Nights 6–8: Ruaha NP
Nights 9–10: Mikumi NP
Night 11: Bagamoyo
Nights 12–15: Beach
Nights 16–17: Lushoto
Nights 18–19: Mkomazi NP
Night 20: Toward Marangu – eastern Kilimanjaro
Night 21: Western Kilimanjaro
End of trip
All your ideas, tweaks, info, and suggestions on this route are welcome!
I could move one beach night somewhere else if needed.
Also, if you have a car rental company to recommend or thoughts on the bandas rented in the parks, I’m all ears!
Finally, what are the roads like in Ruaha in June? The rental company I’m looking at seems to allow this park with a small 4x4. (Off-limits: Serengeti and Natron)
We’re planning a long-term trip starting in April with our 4x4, beginning in the USA.
We’re still looking for car insurance that covers Canada and the USA.
We’ve read quite a few forums, but we’re hoping for some help (from fellow travelers).
Hi there,
We’ll be traveling in January 2027 in a 4x4 with a rooftop tent with our three kids, from Johannesburg to Cape Town. We’ve already booked several campsites in national parks (Golden Gate / Mountain Zebra / Addo Elephant / Garden Route).
We still need to reserve the stretch between De Hoop Nature Reserve and Cape Town. Any suggestions?
We’d love to stay around Cape Town for 5 days to explore the wine route, the peninsula, and do some hikes in Table Mountain.
Any camping recommendations? Or, on the contrary, places to avoid?
Also, we have 2 nights left near Wilderness National Park / Knysna. Any recommendations?
Thanks so much for your help!
Hi there,
I’m planning a trip to Russia and Mongolia, starting from France.
Crossing the border at Poland/Belarus or Georgia/Russia—other borders seem either closed or complicated.
Tourist visas for 3 months with multiple entries.
Do you have any info on Russian companies that cover a 4x4 vehicle for 3 months, and what prices in rubles or euros you’ve paid?
Which bank did you use for expenses? (EuroMastercard and Visa cards no longer work.)
Regarding Russian SIM cards, a new system called "Gosuslugi" has been introduced. How long did it take you to get one, and what steps did you follow?
Hi,
we’re planning to visit a park again.
Could you point us toward the camps in Gonarezhou Park?
>We’re traveling completely self-sufficiently.
We love wildlife.
Thanks for any tips you can share!
JP
Hi there, we’ll be in Mozambique in early December 2026 and we’d like to travel from Vilanculos to Beira by car or bus to reach Beira airport. After that, we’re planning to visit Gorongosa National Park before flying back to France from Beira. From what we’ve heard, the road to Beira is tricky, especially at this time of year (start of the rainy season). Could anyone share their thoughts or suggest a solution? Thanks so much for your help!
Anne
Hi there,
I’m heading to Lesotho in a few days and I’m struggling to find info on the best route between Katse Dam and Sehlathebe National Park. There’s a fairly "direct" route from Thaba Tseka, but the roads seem rough, and we’re not exactly 4x4 pros. Anyone have any tips to share? Thanks!
Hi everyone,
We’re heading to Mozambique in October and are looking for either a 4x4 or 4x2 rental in Maputo, or a driver transfer option to reach:
- Ponta Do Ouro
- Tofo
- Vilankulos
The idea is to be self-sufficient for sightseeing and stops while still being able to access certain lodges or beaches that require a 4x2.
Do you have any contacts, addresses, or ideas to share?
Thanks in advance,
Hello,
We're hitting the road again in 2027 to discover new countries and cultures.
Could anyone give me some tips on driving from Ulaanbaatar to Lake Baikal and the route to take?
Thanks, and safe travels to those who are setting off!
We’re planning a 4x4 trip from Belgium to Central Asia, passing through Georgia, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
For these countries, our national insurance obviously doesn’t cover the vehicle, so we’ll need to get local insurance.
Will it be a problem if the vehicle is registered under person A and the national insurance is under person B? Both A and B will be in the vehicle, and both will be listed as drivers on the insurance.
When we get the local insurance, if we again list A and B as drivers, does the order matter? Could we get stuck at the border for this reason?
Hi,
For those who’ve driven on Iceland’s gravel roads in their own or a rented Duster, could you tell me what tires were fitted on the vehicle?
Were they All Terrain tires or more "standard" ones like all-season tires, for example?
Follow-up question: if they were "standard" tires, did that cause any issues on the gravel roads and rough terrain?
Thanks so much for any info you can share.
Best,
Marc
Hi there,
I'm planning a 4x4 road trip from Darwin to Broome with a rooftop tent in July 2026.
I'd like to know if I need to book overnight stops in advance or if I can just wing it and stop wherever I feel like it?
Some evenings, we'd like to stop and make use of campsite facilities (restaurant, shop, showers, toilets).
What do you recommend?
Do I need a permit?
My rough itinerary looks like this:
Darwin - Kakadu
Kakadu - Nitmiluk
Nitmiluk - Kununurra
Kununurra - Purnululu
Purnululu - El Questro
El Questro - Mt Elizabeth - Bell Gorge - Broome
I’m planning a trip to Iceland for next July-August, with a car and tent, and I’m wondering about booking campsites.
From your experience, is it necessary or even essential to book campsites in advance, or do you always manage to find a spot to pitch your tent?
We’ll also have the option to sleep in the car without pitching the tent.
Does that give us the flexibility to stay outside a campsite for a night here and there?
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip in the Middle Atlas, starting and ending in Fez and heading down to the south of Midelt, the Assoul Massif.... We’ll be traveling with two small 4x4s.
I’m looking for detailed maps of this region that include small roads and tracks.
Last year, we had a fantastic road trip in the Anti-Atlas and High Atlas using Erfahren maps, but unfortunately, they don’t cover the area we’re interested in this year.
Thanks for your suggestions!
Dominique
We’re planning a 13-day family road trip in Morocco this July, with six people in a Toyota Prado 4x4 (renting in Marrakech).
We’ll alternate between bivouacking and small hotels/riads depending on the stops.
Here’s the planned route (in this order):
Marrakech
→ Ouarzazate
→ Draa Valley
→ Zagora
→ Erg Chegaga
→ Lake Iriki
→ Foum Zguid
→ Tata
→ Tafraoute
→ Aït Mansour
→ Tiznit
→ Mirleft
→ Taroudant
→ Back to Marrakech
Our goal:
Atlas Mountains + desert + dunes + plateaus + valleys + a bit of coastline.
We’ll cover about 1,700 km in total.
We’re planning:
Bivouacking in the Chegaga/Iriki area
Flexible for the rest (booking the day before or same day)
Sand gear: traction plates, compressor, tow strap, roof rack
Questions:
Is the Zagora → Chegaga → Iriki → Foum Zguid crossing in July doable on our own (single vehicle, no guide)?
Are there any truly technical or risky sections between Chegaga and Iriki?
Does the overall itinerary seem manageable in 13 days without rushing?
Any suggestions for great bivouac spots or particularly interesting stops along this route?
The points on the route are provisional overnight stops. Some spots will include two nights in the same area.
We’re used to off-road driving, but not yet in the Moroccan desert.
Thanks in advance for your feedback and tips! 😊
Good evening
I could use some advice 🙂
Our trip to Namibia is planned for June/July 2026.
We’re struggling a bit with timing and choosing activities for the part of the trip between Sesriem and Brandberg.
Day 1: Sesriem to Mirabib
Day 2: Mirabib to Swakopmund – visit Swakopmund, overnight in Swakopmund
Day 3: Sandwich Harbour – overnight in Swakopmund
Day 4: Kayaking with the seals + the living dunes – overnight in Swakopmund
Day 5: Moon Landscape, Henties Bay + Cape Cross – overnight at White Lady Lodge in Brandberg
Does this itinerary seem realistic to you? Is Cape Cross really worth the trip? If I had to choose between Cape Cross and kayaking with the seals, which would you recommend?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Hélix
My son and I are heading to Georgia this summer to explore the High Caucasus (Svaneti, Kazbek, and Tusheti regions). For this, we’re planning to rent a 4x4.
However, the rental agencies we’ve found prohibit driving on the tracks to Omalo (Tusheti) and/or Ushguli (Svaneti).
Do you know of any agencies in Tbilisi (local and reliable) that allow rented 4x4s to drive on these tracks? If so, which ones?
Hi everyone,
I’m starting to plan an itinerary for September 2027 focused on Zimbabwe and Zambia. I’d love to visit Gonarezhou National Park—I see there are two sectors: the Mwenezi Region in the south and the area around the Runde River in the north. Should I cover both sectors or just focus on the northern region?
For the parks along the Zambezi River, is it better to visit Mana Pools on the Zimbabwe side or Lower Zambezi on the Zambia side?
Thanks in advance for any tips on the parks in these two countries.
Have a great day, everyone.
We’re spending 18 days in New Zealand from 05/04 to 05/21, arriving in QUEENSTOWN and leaving from AUCKLAND.
Any ideas for a road trip that covers the highlights of both islands but only changes hotels every 3–4 nights?
Thanks.
For our trip to Georgia in July, I’d like to rent a 4x4 starting from Tbilisi.
Do you have any rental companies to recommend?
The traditional rentals like Hertz, Avis, etc. seem way overpriced compared to local companies—what do you think? Are they properly insured?
Has anyone here tried Geo Rent Car, Auto 4 Rental, or Sur Price?
Also, I’m looking for info on the condition of the Ushguli–Lentekhi track—is it passable?
Hi everyone,
A well-prepped 4x4, a travel plan across Africa in stages since I’ve got kids to see regularly and work to earn a living.
I’m leaving in November for about a month with the goal of reaching Senegal via Mauritania. I’d love to share this trip with someone who wants to discover Mauritania and a bit of Senegal... and also experience life on board a 4x4 in the desert or bush, sometimes sleeping in the vehicle or in hostels/small hotels for comfort. I want to share this rediscovery because two’s better than one!
Just traveling, exploring, and living! !
I’m planning to explore Argentine and Chilean Patagonia for a month in December 2019.
I’m looking for a rental company (or several) that offers single-cab 4x4 pick-ups with a fitted camper cell for two people. I’m specifically after a vehicle with an indoor shower for extra comfort ;)
So, no vans—at least not from the rental companies I’ve seen so far.
While browsing the forum, I came across the Chilean rental company Holiday Rent. But do you have any recommendations for Argentine rentals?
Because, if I can’t return the vehicle in the same city as pickup, I’d prefer—and it’d likely be cheaper—to at least return it in the same country.
I’m traveling through Argentina and Chile (as well as Paraguay and Uruguay) with a 2019 Toyota Hilux Euro 6. Could anyone tell me if the local diesel is suitable for its engine, or if I need to take any special precautions (like adding an additive, for example) for these countries?
I’d also like to know if driving at high altitudes is possible, and up to what elevation—or if I should worry about the vehicle going into limp mode?
If that happens, what should I do?
Hi there,
Can you tell me if the road between Zagora and M'Gouna is easy or difficult for a 4x4? How much time and how many kilometers should I plan for? I’m traveling in May.
Thanks!
Hi there,
My trip to South Africa is starting to take shape.
However, I'm struggling to figure out the route through Kruger Park. I can't seem to find the information I need about getting around.
Coming from the south, I plan to arrive on Day 1 in the early afternoon at Malelane or Crocodile Bridge.
Do some shopping in Malelane (or Crocodile Bridge main area) and stay overnight outside the park.
Leave on Day 2 at 5 AM for the park. Explore the southern part of the park.
Stay overnight around Skukuza or Lower Sabie. (We don’t want to stay in one of the park’s big camps. We’re looking for a lodge around 200 €.
Head out on Day 3 for a self-drive safari, maybe as far as Orpen.
We’d like to stay in a private reserve on nights 4 and 5.
We’re not sure which one or how to get into a private reserve. Do we need to exit Kruger Park?
On Day 5, we’d like to leave to visit Blyde Canyon (on Day 6).
I’m planning to leave Morocco for the summer but want to leave my 4x4 there to avoid exceeding the famous 6-month limit. I’d like to park it in one of the two Spanish enclaves (Ceuta or Melilla).
Does anyone know of people or companies that handle long-term parking (preferably secure) in either place?
Once the car is parked, what’s the best way to get back to France using public transport?
Is the nearest airport Tanger from Ceuta?...
How do I get there easily, etc. etc.
hello! I’d like to go to Kazakhstan and rent a fitted 4x4 locally so I can drive off-road trails and sleep inside the vehicle... could anyone share some local rental company addresses, please? Thanks! !
