Madagascar RN7
National Route 7 runs south from Antananarivo across the central highlands to Toliara on the southwest coast, passing lemur rainforests, wood-carving towns, the Isalo sandstone canyons, and the spiny forest coast.
National Route 7 (RN7) is Madagascar's main north-south artery and its classic road trip. It runs about 930 km south from the capital, Antananarivo, to the southwest coastal city of Toliara. The whole route is paved, but potholes, narrow bridges, and oxcarts are common, and average speed is only 40–60 km/h. The northern section crosses the central highlands at 1,200–1,800 m, past terraced fields and red-earth villages: the aluminum casting workshops of Ambatolampy, the hot-spring town of Antsirabe with its pedicabs and crater lake, and the wood-carving town of Ambositra. North of Fianarantsoa, turn onto RN25 to reach the Ranomafana rainforest and see golden bamboo lemurs. Then visit Fianarantsoa's upper town and the FCE jungle railway, Ambalavao's Antaimoro paper workshops and zebu market, and the Anja Community Reserve for ring-tailed lemurs. Next, cross the barren Horombe Plateau to Ranohira. The sandstone canyons and natural swimming pools of Isalo National Park deserve two nights. Continue past the sapphire town of Ilakaka and the Zombitse forest to Toliara, and you can extend the trip to the Ifaty or Anakao beaches. Almost all foreign visitors travel by hired car with a driver rather than self-driving, which is recommended. The full trip takes 7–12 days. Fuel and accommodation are available between towns, but avoid driving at night, and stay alert for safety around Ilakaka.