Morondava Attractions
Morondava, on the west coast of Madagascar, is a top travel destination in the country. The Avenue of the Baobabs and the UNESCO world heritage Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park with stone forests are two unmissable attractions. A plurality of national parks and reserves provide favorable environments for endemic lemurs, chameleons, and rare plants. In addition, local fishing villages and beaches will bring you fantastic travel experiences.
Morondava Top Attractions
The Avenue of the Baobabs, about 20 kilometers north of downtown Morondava, is the best place to appreciate baobabs in Madagascar and even the world. A total of 4 varieties of baobabs grow on two sides of an avenue with red soil. With an age ranging from hundreds to thousands of years, a baobab is as tall as a 10-floor building and takes more than 10 adults holding hands to wrap around its giant and thick trunk. Among these holy trees in the hearts of local people, two intertwined baobabs look like lovers embracing each other, making themselves a highlight on the avenue. At sunset time, nothing is better than taking a wonderful picture of a row of baobabs.
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As the largest national park and also the first UNESCO World Heritage in Madagascar, the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park features the world’s largest limestone forests, a rare and remarkable karstic landform. Located about 150 kilometers (93 miles) northeast of Morondava, the park only opens in the drought season from May to November because the rainy season causes inconvenient traffic. With an altitude of more than 100 meters (325 feet), the towering stone forests attract nature lovers to enjoy the amazing scenery here. Earning a reputation as the “largest natural maze in the world”, the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park gathers a sharp limestone massif and a deep river gorge. As a kingdom of flora and fauna, the park is also home to numerous endemic lemurs, chameleons, birds, and other reptiles and amphibians.
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Located about 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Morondava, the Kirindy Mitea National Park covers both the interior land and the coast, meaning your tour will contain both endemic animal and plant viewing and sightseeing on the beach. The most attractive part of the park is its biodiversity. The national park gathers 11 species of mammals including 4 species of lemurs, 47 species of birds, and other reptiles and amphibians. Visiting the national park, you can also see different baobabs and mangroves and many other lush plants of more than 100 species, enjoying a plant feast here at one time. Colorful coral reefs await you to appreciate when you come to the beach of the park.
Kirindy Forest
To see the fossa, the largest carnivorous animal in Madagascar, the best place is the Kirindy Forest. The forest is also an ideal place to view endemic animals including lemurs, chameleons, lizards, and geckos. Here, you may hear distinctive lemur calls, watch lemurs dancing in front of you, and observe a chameleon preying with its swift tongue. You can alternatively visit the forest in the evening to meet nocturnal lemurs including dwarf lemurs and sportive lemurs. Besides, baobabs, Madagascar rosewood trees, and many other precious plants can be found in the Kirindy Forest.
More Attractions to Visit in Morondava
Belo Sur Mer
Diving lovers should not miss Belo Sur Mer because coral reefs and infauna will impress you. Kitesurfing on the sea will be exciting and taking a canoe to harvest lobsters is also worth a try.
Fokontany Betania
There is a fishing village in Fokontany Betania, and close interactions with local people will bring you special experiences. You can take a canoe with them to pass through dense mangroves and also watch how they make canoes with traditional techniques.
Kimony Beach
After passing through dense mangroves, you can get here. With not many tourists, Kimony Beach retains the most natural scenery and a fishing village is nearby. Fishermen here go sea fishing by canoes.
