The Great Red Island

Riders who are already confident and want a first adventure tour. There is no technical off-road riding, but the roads are often broken, the towns are very busy and the unexpected is part of the trip: you need good reflexes and experience. For more off-road, our Tanzania tour is more demanding. For another way to discover Africa by motorcycle, see Rwanda.

The tour is rated Intermediate. Of the 840 miles (1,350 km), about 60% are good roads, with the occasional pothole, and 40% are broken roads. The last stage, from Isalo to Mangily, includes about 43 miles (70 km) of rough track with deep holes: get a good rest the night before. Some stages are far from medical help: the support vehicle follows the group.

The tour has 8 riding days, from 37 to 168 miles (60 to 270 km) a day. The two longest stages, to Isalo National Park and then to Mangily, are over 162 miles (260 km). On day 5, the morning is spent on foot in Ranomafana National Park with a local guide, before a short ride.

A Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, serviced by our mechanic, who follows the group with the spare parts. If your height makes you hesitate, either way, talk to your travel advisor before booking.

Yes, if the rider already has two-up experience, ideally off-road: the roads are broken and the last stage is demanding. Talk to your travel advisor before booking. The tour costs £3,590 (€3,990) per rider and £2,990 (€3,390) per pillion.

An English-speaking motorcycle tour leader, a mechanic and the driver of the support vehicle, which carries your luggage and the spare parts. The group is limited to 10 motorcycles (12 participants with pillions).

£3,590 (€3,990) per rider and £2,990 (€3,390) per pillion. The price includes the motorcycle, fuel, the team, accommodation, full board from day 2 to breakfast on day 11, the domestic flight from Tulear to Antananarivo and entry to Ranomafana, Anja and Isalo parks. You pay for your international flights, meals on days 1, 10 and 11, drinks, tips and a €600 deposit per motorcycle.

You fly into Antananarivo, where our team meets you on day 1. We ride south on the RN7 to Mangily, on the Mozambique Channel, and on day 10 a domestic flight, included in the price, takes you from Tulear back to Antananarivo. Wait for the time of this flight before booking your flight home: an international flight on the night of day 10 to day 11 would be too tight. To arrive earlier or stay on, ask your travel advisor about the options.

Departures run in April and May, then from August to October, outside the rainy season. Temperatures vary a lot between the highlands and the south: see our Madagascar weather guide for month-by-month details.

The domestic flight limits luggage to 20 kg: any excess is at your expense. Send us a copy of your passport as soon as you book, as we need it to book this flight. Accommodation is standard category. For the visa and other documents, see our list of documents for Madagascar.