When you love the outdoors or want to stay flexible during your trip, camping and road tripping with a 4x4 in Madagascar is a wonderful way to explore the country and experience a great sense of freedom. Check out our tips below to make the most of your camping adventure in Madagascar!
Let's start with some expectation management: it's important to note that campsites are not as widespread in Madagascar as in countries like Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya. Some lodges along the RN7 offer campgrounds where you can park your car and set up your tent, but these possibilities are less available on the West Coast and in Northern Madagascar.
Camping inside the Madagascar National Parks is only possible with a ground tent, as you are not allowed to bring your car into the parks. You park your car at the entrance gate, after which you'll continue on foot. A porter can help you carry your tent and equipment to the public campsite. When renting a rooftop tent, we therefore also supply an additional ground tent, free of charge.
You don't need to book your campsite in advance. You can arrange your camping permit on arrival at the park gate.
When renting a car with Roadtrip Africa, we can outfit your vehicle with camp gear and all the essentials you need for a camping trip in Madagascar.
Our cars can be equipped with a rooftop tent, costing €20,- per day. Or you can opt for a Quechua dome tent for €5,- per person per day. Both tents come with a set of camp gear, consisting of:
Accommodation is very affordable in Madagascar, and campgrounds are not widespread, meaning you can't camp every night. Therefore, if you don't plan to wild camp in Madagascar, we think that you get more value for money when renting our dome tent than our rooftop tent.
TIP: bring a head-light
We also provide the option of renting an electrical fridge (55L) for €10/day. Ideal for those who fancy a cold drink in the bush, or plan to camp a lot*
Kindly note that Roadtrip Africa does not provide camp gear rental in Madagascar as a standalone service.
* Please note that we don’t do field repairs or send a replacement vehicle when there are problems with the fridge. Wiring and piping are sensitive and suffer from bumpy roads and dust. The knowledge and equipment (Frigo gas) to repair fridges are sadly not available in the field. We understand it's unfortunate when the fridge stops working. In the rare case that this happens, notify us, and our Netherlands office will promptly refund your rental.
Wild camping can be a unique adventure in Madagascar, offering a truly off-the-beaten-track experience. You are allowed to venture off the main road and search for a picturesque viewpoint to set up camp.
We recommend to camp near a hotel or village for safety. Always ask permission to the nearest village if you can camp there, to make sure you camp on clear grounds. Keep in mind that the local community may be interested in making conversation, so always be respectful and friendly. Also, make sure to leave no trace by taking all your rubbish with you when you go, and cleaning up any campfire residues.
Rooftop tents are quick and easy to set up. Just watch this step-by-step instruction video, made by Roadtrippers Charlotte & Ries, travelling the North of Madagascar.
Wondering what to pack for your trip to Madagascar? We advise you to keep the following in mind:
Forgotten something? Antananarivo has many well-stocked supermarkets and pharmacies where you can buy almost anything you need. This is not the case for the provincial towns in Madagascar.
Enjoy your camping trip!!
