The Avenue of Baobabs is a 250 meter stretch of road along which a unique grove of Baobab trees stand amongst the stunning scenery of Madagascar’s exotic wilderness. This rare species is endemic to Madagascar and grows to around 30 meters in height with large, bulbous trunks that store water so that the trees can survive the harsh dry seasons.
The Baobab is locally nicknamed the ‘Mother of the Forest’ and is one of the most iconic symbols of the mysterious island country of Madagascar, located 400 km off the East coast of Africa, in the Indian Ocean. These magical trees are unlike anything you have ever seen before and so if you’re a nature lover they are an absolute must-see!
Located on a quiet, dusty road between the towns of Belon’i Tsiribihina and Morondova, the Avenue of the Baobabs is one of Madagascar’s best-loved monuments to the natural beauty of the enchanting island. Also home to a wide range of endangered species, such as the charming lemurs, Madagascar is one of the world’s best kept secrets.
How Do You Get To The Avenue Of The Baobabs?
The easiest way to get to the Avenue of the Baobabs is to fly into Madagascar’s capital city, Antananarivo; a large, centrally located city with a population of 20 million people and a modern, international airport.
Unfortunately, not all airlines fly to the remote island country of Madagascar. However, you can catch a flight with Air Madagascar direct to Ivato International Airport at Antananarivo from Johannesburg, Bangkok or Paris. Alternatively, you can take an Air France flight from Paris, an Airlink or South African Airways from Johannesburg, or a Kenya Airways from Nairobi, directly to Ivato International Airport in Antananarivo.
Once you reach Antananarivo, you can travel onwards to Morondava, the nearest main town to the Avenue of the Baobabs. Air Madagascar operates a daily flight from Antananarivo to Morondava which takes about 1 hour. If you would prefer to take in the magnificent scenery on the way, then you can drive to Morondava which will take between 9-12 hours.
When Is The Best Time To Visit The Avenue Of The Baobabs?
Madagascar’s climate is dominated by the Indian Ocean’s trade winds which means that between April and October the island is usually warm and dry. This is the coolest time of year and is great for sightseeing, however, some species of animals, such as the legendary lemurs, are less active in these months.
June to September is the perfect time of year to visit Madagascar if you’re planning to go whale-watching to see the Humpbacks as they pass on their Northerly migratory route.
The very hot, rainy season in Madagascar, between November and early March each year, is probably the worst time to visit. However, towards the end of the rainy season temperatures cool and the rains are infrequent, it’s also when the Baobab trees blossom each year, usually in late February through March.
So the ideal time to visit is in March after the main rains are over and the Baobabs are in blossom.
What Is There To Do Around The Avenue Of Baobabs?
A Photographer’s Dream!
The Avenue of the Baobabs is an absolute paradise for any photographer, particularly if you visit at sunrise or sunset. With the mellow hues of the Golden Hour, the spectacular Baobab trees are silhouetted, highlighting their unique forms against a backdrop of the red and yellow colors of the sun.
You can take a taxi from your hotel to get to the Avenue of the Baobabs or join a guided tour to capture this incredible moment and take some unforgettable pictures.
Take A Day Tour Of Kirindy Park And The Avenue of the Baobabs.
A great way to combine seeing the Avenue of the Baobabs with a nearby nature reserve, the Kirindy Park, is to join a full-day guided SUV tour. You’ll be picked up from your hotel in the morning and driven to Kirindy Park where you’ll be able to take in the wonderful landscape which includes deserts, beaches and forests as well as lemurs, native birds and fossas.
At lunchtime, you’ll stop off at a restaurant for lunch before heading off to visit the Avenue of the Baobabs in the afternoon. Your guide will take you to a number of especially scenic spots and tell you all about the trees and the surrounding landscape. In the evening, as the sun sets, you’ll be able to snap some great photos before being driven back to your hotel.
To find out more about booking your full-day tour of Kirindy Park and the Avenue of the Baobabs, you can check here.
Trip From Morondava To Bemaraha Nature Reserve.
This fun, adventurous day tour includes stopping off at Tsingy de Bemaraha Nature Reserve to do some hiking amongst the spectacular rock features, stunning landscapes and wildlife. Along the way you’ll see lemurs and some very unusual birds. You’ll also cross huge ravines on rope bridges and stop off to cool down underneath a large waterfall.
One of the highlights of the trip is a river tour in a traditional wooden boat. Seeing the nature reserve from the water will give you plenty of opportunities to relax as your guide points out the wildlife and riverside rock features while you take some once-in-a-lifetime photos from the comfort of the boat.
To find out more about the adventure tour, you can book your tickets here.
The Best Place To Stay Near The Avenue Of The Baobabs.
The ideal place to stay if you’re visiting the Avenue of the Baobabs is at the beachfront Cap Kimony hotel in Morondava. The hotel has a wide selection of rooms including singles, doubles and larger family rooms, making it perfect for any group size.
The hotel has its own on-site restaurant that serves American, European, French, Asian and Indonesian food, you’ll be in food buff heaven! The restaurant has an a la carte and buffet menu and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner each day as well as hosting a fun cocktail hour in the evening.
There’s lots to do at the hotel so if you want to enjoy a wide range of activities you’ll be absolutely spoiled for choice. Some of the activities that are available at the Cap Kimony hotel include cooking classes, walking tours, bike tours, fishing trips, ocean canoeing, ping-pong, pool and darts.
If you’d prefer a more relaxing experience you can sunbathe on the beach, watch live sports on the TV or sit by the pool sipping a freshly made cocktail or fruit juice. There are also barbecue facilities, a sun deck and a lovely garden to explore.
All the local tour organizers can pick you up directly from the hotel if you book a trip with them, making this a convenient place to base yourself during your time in Madagascar. The hotel also runs an airport shuttle bus and staff will help you with any luggage you have.
The Avenue Of The Baobabs In Madagascar Is One Of Nature’s Most Unique Sights.
Seeing the ‘Mother of the Forest’, the towering Baobab trees, for yourself in Madagascar is a wonderful experience that you’ll never forget. Visiting the Avenue of the Baobabs is a perfect vacation idea for families, couples and solo travelers who love nature and want to see this unique species of tree in the wild.
As well as seeing the amazing Baobab trees, while you’re staying in Morondava, you can also take part in a whole array of activities including fishing, canoeing, hiking, biking and swimming. Of course, you can also lounge by the pool, have a barbeque on the beach or just take in the awe inspiring scenery of Madagascar.
