Avenue of the Baobabs Extension

Madagascar’s west coast protects some of the island’s most significant natural and cultural landscapes. Near Morondava, monumental baobabs—some nearly 1,000 years old and found nowhere else on Earth—rise 100 feet above open plains, survivors of forests that once covered this region. Of the world’s eight baobab species, six are endemic to Madagascar, a measure of the island’s singular biodiversity. Along the Mozambique Channel, vast mangrove forests shield coastal communities from storm surge, sustain fisheries and store amounts of carbon, playing an essential role in both local livelihoods and global climate stability. From a seaside lodge on Nosy Kely Beach, explore these ecosystems, visit a traditional Vezo fishing village and gain insight into community-led efforts to safeguard both livelihoods and habitat. This extension offers a deeper understanding of Madagascar’s coastal heritage.