Backpacking in Madagascar - Visiting The Famous Avenue of the Baobabs
Posted: July 17 2023 | Tagged: Madagascar
The Baobab tree is symbolic to Madagascar and the Avenue des Baobabs is possibly the most beautiful place in Madagascar.
The 260 m stretch of road which is known as L'allée des Baobabs, the Avenue of the Baobabs is about 20km to the east of Morondava and is lined with mostly Grandidier's Baobabs (Adansonia Grandidieri).
The 260 m stretch of road which is known as L'allée des Baobabs, the Avenue of the Baobabs is about 20km to the east of Morondava and is lined with mostly Grandidier's Baobabs (Adansonia Grandidieri).
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The Baobabs trees are up to 2,800 years old and did not stand alone as we see today. They were part of the dense jungle that covered Madagascar.
Deforestation is and has been widespread in Madagascar for a long time.
Forests have been cleared for agriculture and trees are used to produce charcoal, the country's primary source of cooking fuel.
The Baobab trees remain largely due to their value as a source of food.
The Avenue des Baobabs was granted temporary protected status in 2007 as Madagascar's first Natural Monument and in 2015 the area was given full protected status. Yet despite this, the area is under constant threat from further deforestation, pollution and the slash-and-burn techniques used here.
Deforestation is and has been widespread in Madagascar for a long time.
Forests have been cleared for agriculture and trees are used to produce charcoal, the country's primary source of cooking fuel.
The Baobab trees remain largely due to their value as a source of food.
The Avenue des Baobabs was granted temporary protected status in 2007 as Madagascar's first Natural Monument and in 2015 the area was given full protected status. Yet despite this, the area is under constant threat from further deforestation, pollution and the slash-and-burn techniques used here.
Here is a very interesting page where you can read more about the Baobab Trees In Madagascar.
Do you need a 4WD to visit the Avenue des Baobabs?
You do not need a 4WD to visit the Avenue des Baobabs, at least not in the dry season. The road is unsealed. In French the word is 'piste'. Yes, it's a bit bumpy but in no way is the short 6km from the highway that bad.
Here is a video to prove it:
Here is a video to prove it:
I travelled there with a Polish guy in an ancient Renault 4 which was produced by Renault between 1961 and 1994:
How to get to the Avenue of the Baobabs:
The gateway to the Avenue des Baobabs is Morondava. From there you go 14km due east to Marofototra where you turn off and go 6km north on the unpaved RN8.
Yes, you could get there using public transport. Take a Taxi-Brousse to Morofototra and then a tuk-tuk, pickup, or even walk but the best time to visit the Avenue des Baobabs is at sunrise or sunset and in July, that is about 5 am and 5 pm so if you are visiting at sunset, the possible problem is finding transport back to town.
Yes, you could get there using public transport. Take a Taxi-Brousse to Morofototra and then a tuk-tuk, pickup, or even walk but the best time to visit the Avenue des Baobabs is at sunrise or sunset and in July, that is about 5 am and 5 pm so if you are visiting at sunset, the possible problem is finding transport back to town.
So on arrival in Morondava having survived the 484km 11 ½ hour journey from Antsirabe with Soatrans, I checked in to the Havana Hotel and the kind receptionist organised me a driver to take me to the Avenue of the Baobabs.
I shared the trip with a Polish guy. For me alone, it was 100,000Ar, and for both of us, 150,000Ar. A nice saving and of course having a travel buddy, means you have someone to take your photo instead of relying on selfies for that perfect, Instagram-able shot.
Tourism is not very developed here in Madagascar. In Morondava you won't find Tour Agencies lining the town's main street, offering sunrise and sunset tours, so if you are an enterprising businessman/woman, there is an opening and you could make a killing.
Get yourself a 20-seater minibus, employ a local driver and a little kiosk, you'll be laughing all the way to the BNI Bank.
I shared the trip with a Polish guy. For me alone, it was 100,000Ar, and for both of us, 150,000Ar. A nice saving and of course having a travel buddy, means you have someone to take your photo instead of relying on selfies for that perfect, Instagram-able shot.
Tourism is not very developed here in Madagascar. In Morondava you won't find Tour Agencies lining the town's main street, offering sunrise and sunset tours, so if you are an enterprising businessman/woman, there is an opening and you could make a killing.
Get yourself a 20-seater minibus, employ a local driver and a little kiosk, you'll be laughing all the way to the BNI Bank.
How much does it cost to visit the Avenue des Baobabs?
As of 2023, there is a small 'visitor's centre' and shop with a small kiosk for buying over-priced drinks but there is no park entrance fee even though on Google Maps there is an option for 'Tickets'.
It is free to visit the Avenue des Baobabs!
It is free to visit the Avenue des Baobabs!
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