English 
Helinirina Raharomanana – Madagascar Tours Guide
Car rental in Madagascar
Some examples of vehicles available for car rental in Madagascar at Madagascar Tours Guide :
Vehicle details :
» 7 seats
» Rugged 3.0-liter
» Manual transmission
» Air conditioning
» Reservoir 150 l
» Airbags
Vehicle details :
» 15 seats
» Manual transmission
» Air conditioning
» Number of valves 2
» Torque 24.0 mkg
Vehicle details :
» 4 doors
» 9 seats
» Manual transmission
» Air conditioning
» 15 km/l
» 120 g/km CO2
Vehicle details :
» 5 doors
» 15 seats
» Manual transmission
» Air conditioning
» 14 km/l (approximate)
» 120 g/km CO2
Learn more about car rental in Madagascar
To cross the Big Island from one side to the other to discover its beauty in all its aspects, its cultures, its people and its generous nature, you have in front of you a wide choice of means of transport. Starting with the tour of Madagascar in a zebu cart like the family Sonia and Alexandre Poussin did, on foot like many local and foreign adventurers, by bike to follow the footsteps of the famous Zoto, by motorcycle, by light car or by 4×4, which is the ideal option for more comfort and safety. To better serve you, Madagascar Tours Guide tries to give you some essential details to know more about car rental in Madagascar.
Why opt for a car rental in Madagascar?
Cars remain the most practical and secure means of transportation to discover interesting tourist places in the capital as well as in remote localities. First of all, being in a car during a long trip gives a feeling of comfort and security. On the other hand, the car rental agencies in Madagascar provide users with well-maintained vehicles, in good standing with regard to the technical inspection and insurance.
Compared to other public transportation options such as bush cabs or trains, car rental in Madagascar gives travelers more freedom and choice in the use of the vehicle. In the case of driver-travelers, they can drive more slowly or stop whenever they want to admire the scenery, take a photo shoot, buy food or souvenirs… They are also free to drive at high speed to arrive earlier at a location. This option is recommended for travelers with experience on the roads and tracks of Madagascar.
Two options remain for a car rental in Madagascar: car rental with or without driver. In the case of car rental in Madagascar with a driver from the Madagascar Tours Guide travel agency, the latter is necessarily a driver-mechanic, at least bilingual, which facilitates the interaction with the travelers during a long trip. Moreover, he knows very well the state of the roads, the habits of the users of the national roads (presence of herds of cattle, a column of zebu carts, a sudden exit of wild animals in certain places…). The freedom of the travelers remains the same because the driver is at the entire disposal of the car rental companies except specific contract agreed in advance.
What type of cars to rent in Madagascar?
In general, the type of cars to rent in Madagascar is divided into 4 categories:
- light cars including vintage cars that are essential for covering an event,
- off-road cars for adventurous travelers whose destination site is accessible only by 4×4. In this case, it is important to know the price range of 4×4 rental in Madagascar,
- mini-bus to travel in Madagascar in small groups of people (family, friends, employees, vacationers, group of tourists …),
- heavy trucks for the transport of goods, donations of materials, food … the case of foreigners who want to make donations in landlocked areas …
The choice is also influenced by the reputation of the vehicle brands, especially those that have already proved their robustness with regard to the state of the Malagasy roads.
As for 4×4 rental in Madagascar, the market is currently dominated by Korean brands such as Hyundai. This brand which is among the most robust and economical is also the one used by Madagascar Tours Guide whose models are Galloper, Terracan, H100, Starex 4×4… apart from other famous brands such as Toyota, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan… It is worth noting that Madagascar Tours Guide currently has about ten 4×4 in its car fleet
The choice of car to rent depends on several parameters:
- the number of travelers,
- the type and quality of road leading to the destination (paved road, track, mountain, passage on rafts, rivers…),
- the power of the vehicle,
- the fuel consumption of the vehicle,
- the posted rate of the car rental agencies,
- the reason of the trip (official ceremony, tourism, adventure…),
How to choose a car rental agency in Madagascar?
Apart from word of mouth, which generally allows to find the best car rental agency in Madagascar, travelers can also inquire from travel agencies specializing in tours in Madagascar.
Rental offers also abound on the web provided that you know how to distinguish the good ones from the scams. It is necessary to add different criteria and verifications to your research to not be mistaken. For example:
- Does the agency have a website?
- Check its physical existence, is it registered in the register of legal companies with identification numbers NIF, STAT, RCS (Register of Commerce). These should be verifiable on its website.
You will find some car rental agencies in Antananarivo with driver such as Madagascar Tours Guide that offer tailor-made deals to tourists, individuals and companies. They have at their disposal light cars, 4×4, minibuses and heavy trucks… The rate is generally accessible to tourists and includes a car rental with driver.
What about car rental rates in Madagascar?
The price of car rental in Madagascar varies according to different factors:
- The type of car to rent,
- The duration of the rental,
- The use you intend to make of it,
- The price displayed by each agency.
The rate also differs depending on whether you rent a car for your trips in the city or for a trip to remote areas, on the east coast for example. In any case, information on the price of car rental in Antananarivo or in other regions should be available on the website of each agency. Otherwise, travelers can inquire directly at their headquarters or by phone.
Overview of average car rental rates in Madagascar
| Type of vehicle | Average rate for rental with driver | Circuits |
|---|---|---|
| Economy car | Around 29 $ | Variable according to the circuit |
| Light sedan type car | Around 35 $ | Variable according to the circuit |
| Space type car | Around 40 $ | Variable according to the circuit |
| 4x4 car | Around 50 $ | Variable according to the circuit |
| SUV 4x4 | From 39 $/day | Variable according to the circuit |
| Pick-Up | From 55 $/day | Variable according to the circuit |
| Mini-bus | From 65 $ | Variable according to the circuit |
| Mini-bus | Approximately 110 $ | Circuit Antananarivo – Antsirabe |
| Mini-bus 10 seats | Approximately 400 $ | Circuit Antananarivo – Mahajanga |
| Mini-bus 10 seats | Approximately 900 $ | Circuit Antananarivo –Fort-Dauphin |