Madafocus is promoting Madagascar’s RN12 route through Manakara and the south-east as newly viable for standard 4WD travellers, following the replacement of river ferry crossings (bac) with bridges along much of the road. The change cuts a route once requiring up to four days of waiting for ferries down to a more manageable road trip, opening the 420-kilometre stretch between Manakara and Tôlanaro to a broader range of self-drive and tailor-made clients rather than only specialist adventure travellers.
The DMC, based in Antsirabe, is positioning the region as an emerging addition to Madagascar itineraries for advisors seeking something beyond the island’s more established southern and western circuits.
Route passes historic towns, reserves and coastline
Travelling south along the RN12 from the port city of Manakara to Tôlanaro, the route passes Vohipeno, noted for its Arab heritage, and the fishing village of Farafangana. It continues through Manombo Special Reserve, home to Madagascar’s highest diversity of snail species, and Vangaindrano, where the paved road ends and the unsealed section of the RN12 begins.
Further south, the route passes the small fishing village of Sandravinany on a lagoon, the coastline and coastal rainforest at Saint-Luce and Lokara Bay, and the private Nahampoana Nature Reserve, before reaching Tôlanaro (also known as Fort-Dauphin), where the road ends at the coast.
Working with a local DMC
Madafocus is offering a free sample itinerary for advisors wanting to see how the route can be packaged for clients, along with the option to book a call with the company directly to discuss tailored itineraries.
