The Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar

The Avenue of the Baobabs or Alley of the Baobabs, is a prominent group of Grandidier's baobabs lining the dirt road between Morondava and Belon'i Tsiribihina in the Menabe region of western Madagascar. Its striking landscape draws travelers from around the world, making it one of the most visited locations in the region. It has been a center of local conservation efforts, and was granted temporary protected status in July 2007 by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests a step toward making it Madagascar's first natural monument. 

Along a 260 m (850 ft) stretch of the road is a grove of 20–25 Adansonia grandidieri baobabs. An additional 25 or so trees of this species are found growing over nearby rice paddies and meadows within 9.9 acres (4 ha) of land. The trees, which are endemic to Madagascar, are about 30 m (98 ft) in height. The baobab trees, known locally as renala, are up to 2,800 years old. They are a legacy of the dense tropical forests that once thrived on Madagascar. The trees did not originally tower in isolation over the sere landscape of scrub, but stood in dense forest. Over the years, as the country's population grew, the forests were cleared for agriculture, leaving only the baobab trees, which the locals preserved as much for their own sake as for their value as a food source and building material. 

 

 

 

The only way to reach the Avenue of the Baobabs from Morondova is by hiring a taxi in case if you’re not traveling a pre-arranged tour like most (all) of the tourists that will show up for sunset,But if you arrive there around 3 pm, you will have the entire place for yourself for a few hours.

The Avenue of the Baobabs has become such a popular tourist hotspot that the locals are now charging a small parking fee for your taxi (2000 Ariary) to be allowed to park there. You will also have to pay the parking fee at Baobab Amoureux. Another 7km and 30min on an even bumpier road further to the north-west are where the other famous Baobab site is located the famous Baobab Amoureux also called the Baobabs of love, the two Baobabs that are twisted together, is located. A taxi between Morondova and The Avenue of the Baobabs will cost you 50,000 Ariary for a return trip, with the driver waiting for you after the sunset. If you also want to visit the Baobab Amoureux, it will cost you an additional 20,000 Ariary. The 2,000 Ariary parking fee at both the sites are extra

The surface of the road is gravel and sand. The best time to visit Baobab Avenue is at sunset and sunrise when the colours of the trunks change and the long shadows of the trees are most pronounced. The avenue is considered to be one of the world’s most exciting roads. Some road sections may require a high clearance 4WD vehicle, driven by a driver experienced in 4WD drive techniques and being familiar with back country conditions. Ave of the Baobabs is photographer’s paradise and especially beautiful at sunset.