The Avenue Of Baobabs, Madagascar

If you ever find yourself driving on a dusty trail in Western Madagascar, you’ve got to ask for the Avenue of Baobabs. No trip to Madagascar is complete without a drive through this avenue. Lining a dusty trail in Menabe between Morondava and Belon'i Tsiribihina leading to the famous Kirindy National Park, the giant 30 metre tall trees haul in visitors by the plane loads from across the world. Despite its popularity, the Avenue and the area surrounding it is not recognised as a National Park. There is no entry fee and the locals don’t benefit much from their existence. However, this is about to change soon.

Threatened by progressive deforestation, the renala trees - as they are locally called - lining this avenue and all the others, were granted the “protected” status in 2007. The trees as they are seen now were earlier a part of dense forests.

Interesting Facts:

Baobab Trees can grow up to 30 metres tall. They are pretty wide and the oldest one alive is more than 800 years old.

Trivia:

Once you are at the Avenue of Baobabs, try asking the locals about Baobab Amoureux or the twisted baobabs. Just 7 kilometres northwest from the avenue stand the beautiful twisted baobabs, known to be the incarnation of two young lovers who couldn’t be together in life. The couple thus asked the gods for a life together in eternity. They were born again as beautiful baobabs trees. Wish granted!