Madagascar self drive | Rent your car including a local driver
Excited about your 4x4 road trip in Madagascar, but do you feel unsure about driving? Then a private driver-guide is just what you need! Our team at Roadtrip Africa works with well-trained and truly lovable drivers, who know everything there is to know about Madagascar.
Having a tour guide and driver all-in-1 is a great option if you want to remain in charge of your own holiday and itinerary, yet prefer someone else to do the driving. At the same time, being accompanied by a local driver-guide means learning more about the local culture and wildlife in Madagascar while you travel. All our drivers are experienced tour guides and bush mechanics. No stress, difficulties or long hours behind the wheel; your local driver is there to facilitate and ease your travels.
Book your driver-guide in Madagascar
Renting a car with driver in Madagascar - what to expect
Your experienced driver-guide will get you to your destination safely and is responsible for keeping the car in good condition.
Besides driving you to where you want to go, your driver takes you on beautiful drives, finds the best picnic spots, and knows where to stop for snacks, an ATM, or just a great view. Yet, you remain in charge of your own holiday and itinerary.
As our drivers are keen to share their knowledge about Madagascar, feel free to ask them anything. You'll return home with a deeper understanding of the country and will have made a new friend along the way. All our driver-guides speak English, French and Malagasy.
Pictured below is driver-guide Jarry - eager to show you all the highlights Madagascar has to offer :)
What are the costs to hire a driver for my trip in Madagascar?
The cost of hiring a driver-guide in Madagascar is €30/day. All proceeds go to the driver.
The fee also covers your driver's meals, accommodation and (optional) camping gear. When booking a self-drive tour through us, we take care of your driver's accommodation reservation. If you book your own hotels, please mention that you are travelling with a local driver, so their room can be reserved.
Additional costs for your driver are national park entrance fees (in case you want them to join). Fuel remains at your own expense. Your Madagascar rental car is delivered to you with a full tank, and should be refilled upon returning.
As for tipping, depending on how satisfied you are with the services of your driver-guide, a tip of €5-10 per day is customary and will be greatly appreciated.
Pictured below is driver-guide Mika, looking forward to welcoming you in road trip paradise.
How can I rent a driver in Madagascar?
Can't wait to start your road trip adventure in Madagascar? At Roadtrip Africa, we are happy to assist you with renting a 4x4, planning your itinerary, and getting you the driver-guide that fits your plans.
Want to bring your own driver-guide?
At Roadtrip Africa, we only work with our own trusted driver-guides. This way, we can guarantee the quality of your experience and ensure you're in the best hands throughout your journey.
Ready to start driving in Madagascar?
Book your road trip and driver today!
Great drivers equal great holidays | Some reviews
The role of drivers is very important when creating memorable holiday memories. As both a driver and tour guide, they need to be knowledgeable, flexible, create a sense of safety, and be great companions. After all, a good sense of humor and some laughs contribute to making the world a better place, right? We are happy and proud to say that we consistently receive glowing reviews from roadtrippers renting a car in Madagascar with our drivers!
Kevin, Canada, June 2024 - read the full review here
''Roadtrip Africa’s exceptional service, coupled with having someone as talented as Jose on their team, made our trip unforgettable.
Jose is an outstanding driver, knowing the country like the back of his hand. His driving skills are matched by his professionalism—courteous, patient, and intuitively in-tune with when we needed his assistance or some alone time. Jose’s local knowledge was invaluable. He helped us avoid common tourist traps, guided us on how to navigate our travels, and arranged fantastic local guides for us, saving us time and hassle. He pointed out interesting sights, explained the significance of various landmarks, and shared insights into the local culture. This enriched our trip immensely, giving us a deeper appreciation for the country's beauty and its people."
Jack, the UK, September 2023 - read the full review here
"We hired a car with a driver (Toky) for our honeymoon and drove from Tana to Toliara. The whole service was excellent, including the communication prior to booking. We largely followed the suggested RN7 route, but Road Trip Africa kindly checked our itinerary and gave us lots of helpful tips while planning. The drive itself was fantastic and it was so helpful to have a knowledgeable local as our guide who was very informative and fun! Toky was also so helpful in booking activities and making recommendations for us. Would both highly recommend and use the company again if travelling elsewhere in Africa!"
Anouk, the Netherlands, July 2023 - read the full review here
''On our 13 days trip from Tana to Tuléar we saw so much of the beautiful island of Madagascar! Stunning landscapes, and extraordinary and unique flora and fauna. Our excellent driver Mika explained us a lot about the customs and way of live of the people and took us safely to our final destination on the beach of Mangily.''