Morondava

17 km northeast of Morondava on Madagascar's west coast, the Avenue of the Baobabs, is a widely popular attraction. The ‘Avenue’ is an extraordinary stand of huge baobab trees, Adansonia grandidieri, and includes trees that are over 800 years old and reach a height of over 30 meters. The world famous Avenue of the Baobabs is constantly photographed and especially beautiful at sunset. Excursions from Morondava include the Baobabs in Love, the Sacred Baobab and the Kirindy Forest Reserve and the Tsingy de Bemaraha.

The Kirindy Forest Reserve has the greatest density and diversity of primates in the world. It is also the best western-reserve for seeing Madagascar’s endemic dry forest species. Dominated by majestic baobab trees (Adansonia grandidieri), the forest is home to the world’s smallest known primate and to dozens of amphibian and reptile species (and no poisonous snakes). The Kirindy boasts more than 60 species of birds. Possible endemic sighting include: White-headed Vanga, Rufous Vanga, White-breasted Mesite, Coquerel's Coua, Crested Coua, Sickle-billed Vanga, Chabert's Vanga, Cuckoo Roller, Grey-headed Lovebird, Madagascar Nightjar, and Banded Kestrel. Along with a stunning variety of unique flora the Kirindy Forest is home to 8 lemur species; a variety of tenrecs species; the narrow-striped mongoose; giant jumping rat and fossa. The forest is accessible by taxi brousse -- hop on any towards Belo sur Tsiribihina. Get off at the signpost marking the entrance, and walk the last 5 km. You may have to rely on hitching back to Morondava, as taxi brousses coming from Belo are often full, or you can sleep there (35 000 Ar for a dorm bed, bungalows available) and walk back to Kirindy Village (5km + ~2km) and get a Taxi-brousse there.

Kirindy Mitea is a seldom visited National Park (not to be confused with 'Kirindy Forest Reserve') which encompassing a wide variety of ecosystems: beaches; inland lakes; 7 offshore islands; spiny forest; vast Baobab forests; extensive coastal mangroves. Highlights include three species of baobabs; a wide variety of lemurs (including ringtails); more than 30 species of birds (many rare and endangered) and the picturesque Lakes Ambondro & Lake Sirave.

This is Madagascar‘s largest reserve (152,000 hectares) and classified as one of the world wonders by UNESCO. The fascinating raised limestone plateau is decorated with a frail, chaotic razor-sharp collection of pinnacles, the “Tsingy”. The great variety of flora includes: aloes, orchids, numerous pachypodium and baobabs. The deciduous forest is home to over 50 species of birds; 7 species of lemurs (including the all-white Deckens sifaka) and the rare stump-tailed chameleon (Brookesia perarmata). Renting a 4x4 for 4 days from Morondava is the most common way to visit.