Avenue of the Baobabs
Avenue of the Baobabs is about 20 kilometers (14 miles) north of downtown Morondava. As a landmark of Madagascar, the avenue is the most ideal place for tourists worldwide to view baobabs, an endemic tree of the country. Giant and thick baobabs of 4 species stand on both sides of a red soil avenue, constituting one of the most spectacular photography scenes during your tour.What Makes the Avenue of the Baobabs so Famous?
1. Unique Tree Shape
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2. Super-long Lifespan
The super-long lifespan of the baobab has been commonly acknowledged. Even in dry and barren places, they can live for several hundred years. Some baobabs can even live for more than 1,000 years. Those along the Avenue of the Baobabs have an average age of around 800 years.3. Rich Species in One Place
Throughout the whole world, a total of 9 species of baobabs grow in different places. Here, on the 260-meter-long (284 yards) Avenue of the Baobabs, 4 species can be seen. You won’t find another place gathering so many species of baobabs, and that’s why enormous tourists come here to view baobabs every year.4. Holy Trees for Local People
Earning reputations as the “tree of life” and the “protector of all animals and plants”, these old and giant baobabs are regarded as holy trees by local people. They take the baobabs as symbols of strength, longevity, and happiness, and many people come to the avenue to pray for a better life and even hold their weddings.
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Lovers’ Baobabs
On the avenue, what attracts lovers the most are two special baobabs. Their trunks intertwine closely and their branches extend high toward the sky, looking like two lovers hugging each other. This lovely and romantic scene has made the avenue the favorite place for so many couples who come here to make good wishes for eternal love.Wonderful Photography Location
The Avenue of the Baobabs presents you with the most stunning scenes it has. When you appreciate the baobabs beside the waters near the avenue, you will see the baobabs reflected on the pure water and record the baobabs with your camera. The huge gap between the baobab altitude and a person’s stature allows tourists to take interesting pictures and create precious memories. Together with the massive baobabs, the sun and clouds also constitute indispensable wonderful parts of your photography works.|
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Best Time to Visit the Avenue of the Baobabs
During one day, sunrise and sunset periods are the most suitable for your tour. At sunrise, the rising sun beneath the baobabs looks brilliant and golden. At sunset, the sky with clouds changes its color from light blue, orange-red, to dark purple. With this magnificent background, the baobabs look gorgeous from any angle. If you are a professional photographer, in the evening, shiny stars, the sparkling Milky Way, and the baobabs will form the most enchanting night scene for you.From May to October in Madagascar, the dry weather is more suitable for visiting the Avenue of the Baobabs. The other months are in the rainy season, and you may feel not that comfortable in the moist air and the soil avenue will become muddy.
How to Get to the Avenue of the Baobabs
To get to Morondava from Antananarivo, taking a plane is highly recommended because a car ride in between takes nearly one day.To get to the Avenue of the Baobabs from downtown Morondava, local tuk-tuk cars are under no consideration because policemen may issue tickets. Here are two ways:
1. A round trip by taxi costs about 100,000 MGA.
2. Taking a local bus from the only main road in Morondava to the terminal Market place Antsakoameloka costs 500 MGA. The following journey is carried out by pedicab and a round trip costs 20,000-30,000 MGA. To prevent flying dust from getting into your eyes and nose, wearing a pair of wind-proof glasses and a mask is recommended.
Other Notes:
1. No ticket fare is needed to visit the Avenue of the Baobabs.
2. You can find restaurants, stalls, and bathrooms nearby.