Route Nationale 7 winds through central and southern Madagascar, starting at Antananarivo and ending on the south-west coast at Tulear.
Each town and village beside the road has its own character, from Betsileo country in the high plateau, through the wild Bara farmlands, and on to tiny Vezo fishing villages on the coast.
Ranomafana National Park
Starting in Tana and heading south, to the east lies the lush rainforest belt, including Ranomafana National Park, with rolling tree-covered hills, tumbling waterfalls, and lemurs, chameleons and geckos galore! Closer to the southern tip, the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic, more open and wild, as the climate becomes more arid.
Isalo National Park
Isalo National Park can be seen for miles away, with stunning rock formations, limpid tropical pools, and deciduous woodland where lemurs and sifakas frolic amongst the branches. At the southernmost tip of the road lies the spiny desert, with succulent aloes, twisted octopus plants and spiky cacti.