Itinerary
Our Avenue of the Baobabs extension begins in Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital and gateway to the island’s diverse regions. This highland city serves as the political and cultural heart of the country, linking travelers to Madagascar’s remote coasts and wild landscapes. You are met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. This evening, gather with your local guide and fellow travelers for a welcome dinner and orientation.
This morning, board a private charter flight to Morondava on Madagascar’s west coast. On arrival, transfer to your hotel on Nosy Kely Beach, where thatched bungalows sit amid palm-filled gardens overlooking the Mozambique Channel. The Indian Ocean stretches before you, with brilliant sunsets closing each day.
Our first evening is devoted to Madagascar’s the famed corridor of towering baobabs that stand as living monuments across the plains. Some are nearly 1,000 years old, rising close to 100 feet with massive cylindrical trunks and sculptural crowns etched against the sky at sunset. These giants are remnants of forests that once blanketed the region. Of the world’s eight baobab species, six are endemic to Madagascar. Learn how these keystone trees sustain wildlife and local communities, and how conservation efforts seek to protect them amid pressures from deforestation and climate change. Those who wish may return at dawn, when early light casts a softer glow across the landscape.
Life along the coast unfolds at a different rhythm. Visit a traditional fishing village to meet local fishers and gain insight into a sustainable livelihood shaped by generations of knowledge of sea and tide. Explore nearby mangrove forests, where intricate root systems shelter birds and sea turtles, support crab and shrimp fisheries and buffer the shoreline from storm surge. These forests also store remarkable amounts of carbon, making them essential to both community resilience and global climate stability. Since 2007, WWF has partnered with local communities to protect and regenerate these biodiverse coastal ecosystems. During your visit, learn about the achievements and ongoing challenges of these conservation efforts. Conclude your stay with a festive farewell dinner.
After breakfast, return by private charter to Antananarivo, then transfer to the international airport to meet onward flights.
