a vehicle endemic to Madagascar, and the usual form of overland transport. Generally a minibus or large Citroen modified to have facing seats, but anything with an engine is fair game. Rickshaws and zebu-carts do not qualify. A 10-passenger vehicle will normally carry 25 people, plus luggage, chickens and children. Schedules are based on the "depart when full" principle and seats on a first-come, first-served basis. Spare parts are unavailable, and only 10% of the main roads are paved. The "bus stations" where they are to be found often lie in the outskirts of cities along what pass for major roads, may include semi-permanent settlements of families headed for seldom-visited locations.

Alternative forms for brousse : taxi-be, taxi-brousse.