MAGICAL MADAGASCAR 2026
TOURING RALLY
5th – 28th June, 2026
THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT
The original meaning of the word Madagascar is End of the World – by which they meant the furthest point, not the final moment! It is certainly far away from most people’s idea of a place to rally but we like to innovate, so brace yourself for a truly magical adventure in one of the most remote and fascinating places in the world.
For this escapade we include a local modern air-conditioned 4×4 hire car. There are some extremely rough tracks and some of the roads are worse than a pot-holed country lane in the UK! Far worse in fact, but a lot more fun.
The dates we have chosen are after the heavy rains and before the main tourist season, so the roads are quieter and access to the animals easier. We make no apologies for visiting a number of parks as it would be a shame to go this far and not see the unique wildlife on the island. Interesting fact: there are over 100 different species of lemur in Madagascar!
Originally a French protectorate, Madagascar came under direct French rule in 1897, which ended in independence in 1958. French is still spoken and many French influences are still to be seen, from architecture to food as one would imagine. Independence Day will be celebrated while we are there on 26th June.
The Route
We will drive a figure of eight circuit round the central part of the island in a 23 night rally that takes you from the interior to the coast and from the mountain highlands to the arid desert. We will cover a total of 3164 kms on a variety of surfaces from modern asphalt to sand and dirt tracks. You will cross some rivers on barges, local ferries or ancient bridges. While on the road you will see some of the rarest species on earth and some of the strangest landscapes, including the Tsingy stone forest, as well as meet the people of Madagascar who will be delighted to welcome you.
Magical Madagascar Rally – Day-by-Day Breakdown
Day 1 – Friday 5 June | Arrive in Antananarivo | 0 km
Arrive in Antananarivo and settle into the elegant Carlton Hotel, with time to relax and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Day 2 – Saturday 6 June | Antananarivo | 0 km
Spend the day in Antananarivo collecting the rally cars, meeting fellow participants and making final preparations before departure. Overnight at the Carlton Hotel.
Day 3 – Sunday 7 June | Antananarivo to Palmarium | 272 km
Drive through Madagascar’s lush eastern landscapes towards Palmarium, enjoying winding roads and tropical scenery before arriving at the beautiful Palmarium Hotel.
Day 4 – Monday 8 June | Palmarium Rest Day | 0 km
Enjoy a relaxing day at Palmarium, famous for its lakeside setting and unforgettable encounters with Madagascar’s iconic lemurs. Overnight at the Palmarium Hotel.
Day 5 – Tuesday 9 June | Palmarium to Andasibe | 135 km
Travel deeper into Madagascar’s rainforest region towards Andasibe, surrounded by dense jungle and extraordinary wildlife. Stay at Relais de Mantadia.
Day 6 – Wednesday 10 June | Andasibe to Antsirabe | 320 km
Drive south through scenic highland roads and colourful rural villages before arriving in the spa town of Antsirabe. Overnight at Le Royal Palace.
Day 7 – Thursday 11 June | Antsirabe to Ranomafana National Park | 250 km
Journey through Madagascar’s central highlands to Ranomafana National Park, renowned for its misty forests, waterfalls and unique wildlife. Stay at Centrest Hotel.
Day 8 – Friday 12 June | Ranomafana to Tsaranoro Reserve | 174 km
Continue south to Tsaranoro Reserve, where dramatic granite mountains and breathtaking scenery create one of the rally’s most spectacular backdrops. Overnight at Camp Catta.
Day 9 – Saturday 13 June | Tsaranoro Reserve to Isalo | 225 km
Drive onwards to Isalo, entering Madagascar’s striking canyon country filled with sandstone formations and wide open landscapes. Stay at Jardin du Roi.
Day 10 – Sunday 14 June | Isalo Rest Day | 0 km
Enjoy a well-earned rest day exploring Isalo’s dramatic escarpments, hidden pools and extraordinary desert scenery. Overnight at Jardin du Roi.
Day 11 – Monday 15 June | Isalo to Ifaty | 253 km
Travel west towards the coast, where white sandy beaches and the warm waters of the Mozambique Channel await in Ifaty. Stay at The Dunes Hotel.
Day 12 – Tuesday 16 June | Ifaty to Andavadoaka | 250 km
Drive through remote coastal landscapes dotted with baobab trees and traditional fishing villages en route to Andavadoaka. Overnight at Laguna Blu.
Day 13 – Wednesday 17 June | Andavadoaka Rest Day | 0 km
Relax by the coast and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere, turquoise waters and spectacular sunsets of Andavadoaka. Stay at Laguna Blu.
Day 14 – Thursday 18 June | Andavadoaka to Manja | 211 km
Head inland on a remote and adventurous drive through some of Madagascar’s wildest terrain before arriving in Manja. Overnight at Kanto Annexe.
Day 15 – Friday 19 June | Manja to Belo sur Mer | 111 km
Continue along a scenic coastal route lined with traditional fishing communities and endless ocean views. Stay at Ecolodge du Menabe.
Day 16 – Saturday 20 June | Belo sur Mer Rest Day | 0 km
Enjoy a peaceful rest day beside the Indian Ocean, soaking up the relaxed pace of life in Belo sur Mer. Overnight at Ecolodge du Menabe.
Day 17 – Sunday 21 June | Belo sur Mer to Kirindy | 160 km
Drive north towards Kirindy, stopping to experience the world-famous Avenue of the Baobabs at sunset. Stay at Relais de Kirindy.
Day 18 – Monday 22 June | Kirindy to Bekopaka | 160 km
Travel through remote western Madagascar and explore the unique wildlife of Kirindy Forest before arriving in Bekopaka. Overnight at Olympe de Bemaraha.
Day 19 – Tuesday 23 June | Bekopaka & Tsingy Exploration | 40 km
Spend the day discovering the extraordinary limestone pinnacles and dramatic scenery of the Tsingy de Bemaraha. Stay at Olympe de Bemaraha.
Day 20 – Wednesday 24 June | Bekopaka to Morondava | 200 km
Drive south-west to Morondava, returning to Madagascar’s vibrant western coastline and relaxed seaside atmosphere. Overnight at Palissandre au Cote Ouest.
Day 21 – Thursday 25 June | Morondava Rest Day | 0 km
Enjoy a free day in Morondava with another opportunity to visit the iconic Avenue of the Baobabs and take in one of Madagascar’s most famous views. Stay at Palissandre au Cote Ouest.
Day 22 – Friday 26 June | Morondava to Antsirabe | 490 km
Undertake one of the rally’s longest and most rewarding drives, crossing rugged mountains and ever-changing landscapes back to Antsirabe. Overnight at Le Royal Palace.
Day 23 – Saturday 27 June | Antsirabe to Antananarivo | 185 km
Complete the final stretch back to Antananarivo and celebrate the end of an unforgettable Madagascan adventure. Stay at Au Bois Vert.
Day 24 – Sunday 28 June | Departure Day | 0 km
Depart Antananarivo after completing the Magical Madagascar Rally, taking home incredible memories from an extraordinary journey across the island.
Total Distance Covered: 3,436 km
• Magical Madagascar
• Hotel each night with breakfast
• Most evening meals
• 4×4 Hire car
• Guided city tour
• Botanical Gardens
• Sunset Baobab Alley
• Unique fauna and flora
• Lemurs
• Great driving
• Our back-up team
• Tulip roadbook
• GPS
• Rally plates
• Welcome party
• Gala dinner
• Photographer
• Airport transfers
WANT TO TALK TO THE RALLY TEAM?
CALL US NOW ON + 44 (0)1483 271 699 OR EMAIL RALLY@BESPOKERALLIES.COM
Hotels will vary from 5 star to 2 star or possibly no star, but each one is a gem in its own right. Some will be by the sea, others in the hills or perhaps in a small town.
Entry Fee: (2 people per car) £25,850 Early Bird entry.
Entry fee includes: A 4×4 hire car, a twin or double room with breakfast for all nights of the event, welcome dinner, most evening meals, all rally activities and park fees, rally plates, decals, road book, loan of GPS, emergency mechanical aid, rally medic and finishers medals. Please see full T&Cs including cancellation and refund policies on our website – https://bespokerallies.com/terms-and-conditions/
If you need more information don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Interested? Call us now to reserve your place.
Phone: + 44 (0)1483 271 699 or download an entry form below.
ROUTE MAP
TESTIMONIAL
“The GP of South America was a great event and John and I enjoyed ourselves immensely. It is always good to be the first to try something that no one else has done for a long time, in this case 70 years. Your team were fantastic and that made it even more enjoyable . The roads were challenging as they should be and the scenery spectacular. The hotels were good quality and the food was very good. This is an event for anyone who wants an adventure and I would whole heartedly rec- ommend it; if you want to do something a bit different, exciting and a bit of a challenge, then the GP of South America is for you. Thanks John and team for putting together such a great event.”
Paul Michael, The Grand Prix of South America 2018
WANT TO TALK TO THE RALLY TEAM? CALL US NOW ON + 44 (0)1483 271 699
DISCOVER MORE ABOUT BESPOKE RALLIES
WHY BESPOKE RALLIES IS THE BEST
We’ve considerable experience of organising motoring events including classic car tours in SE Asia, India, South & Central America and Europe.
PAST RALLIES
We covered all over the world from South America to South Asia, Hindukush to Himalaya with thousands of travellers.
OUR TEAM
Our experienced and passionate team will help you to organise your event or you can enjoy our own tailor made rallies.