Who gets it in their head to buy a second-hand scooter in the capital of Madagascar to buy? To travel more than 4.000 km over this enormous island? No one before me had ever come up with this idea. I just did it and discovered the real Madagascar. Travel with me to the Red Island and get to know the baobabs, lemurs, chameleons, snow-white beaches and above all the hospitable Malagasy: TONGA SOA. In this part I travel past the highest concentration of baobabs per square meter in the world.
Also read:
- Madagascar on a scooter | Part 1 | Antananarivo (Tana) – introduction
- Madagascar on a scooter | Part 2 | Antananarivo (Tana) – Antsirabe (175 km)
- Madagascar on a scooter | Part 3 | Antsirabe – Miandrivazo (220 km)
- Madagascar on a scooter | Part 4 | Tsiribihina river canoe trip – Belo-sur-Tsiribihina
- Madagascar on a scooter | Part 5 | Excursion + Boat Trip in Bekopaka and Tsingy
- Madagascar on a scooter | Part 6 | Belo-sur-Tsiribihina – Kirindy Village (60 km)
- Madagascar on a scooter | Part 7 | Spotting Baobabs & Kimony Resort
- Madagascar on a scooter | Part 8 | Morondava – Malaimbandy (155 km)
- Madagascar on a scooter | Part 9 | Malaimbandy – Antsirabe – Ambositra (450 km)
An ideal preparation for a magical afternoon
How wonderful it is to wake up in this magical place. When I leave my bungalow, I immediately come face to face with those incomparable baobabs. Today I can enjoy it extensively, because nowhere in the world can you find so many baobabs.
“Eric, stay for lunch. We have the best lunch in all of Madagascar.' "But I want the time to see the Allee des Baobabs." 'If you leave here at about three o'clock, you'll be early enough. It's an hour's drive away.'
The manager didn't say too much because the lunch equals that of Mad Zebu† For barely ten euros (40.000 Ariary) I enjoy a delicious three-course menu.
Then it's almost time to go. I arrange a few liters of real petrol through the manager. "Where do you actually sleep in Morondava?" he asks. 'I have no idea.' 'Well then I would like to invite you to Kimony Resort to come. That is a very nice hotel with swimming pool near the sea. I'll arrange a nice discount for you, because I'm also the manager of it.'
The highest concentration of baobabs on the square meter
There are a total of eight baobab species in the world. Australia and mainland Africa both have only one. Madagascar has no fewer than six unique species. And nowhere in the world are there so many on the square meter as on and around the road I am now going to drive, the Allee des Baobabs.
From Kirindy Village the distance to Allée des Baobabs is about thirty kilometers. And there are those damn beautiful baobabs everywhere.
The Baobab allee and surroundings
And then it's time. I am at the most famous spot in all of Madagascar. This is the allee that symbolizes an entire nation. Enjoy the photos of Allée des Baobabs, which I took on four different days.
A few relaxing days at Kimony Resort near Morondava
I am staying for four wonderful days at the fantastic Kimony Resort. Soon I have a fixed daily rhythm. In the morning I start with a delicious breakfast. Then I visit the lemurs that have come out of their pens. After lunch I go to the beach. There I relax while enjoying a THB (Three Horse Beer, the beer of Madagascar). At sunset I always drive to the Allée des Baobabs.
The ladies who serve me on the beach have painted their faces white. It is a custom in western Madagascar and is known as Masonjoany. A phenomenon that I have also come across a lot in Myanmar. The white paste is made from ground tree bark, diluted with water. It is a perfect make-up and prevents dryness and sunburn.
In Morondava itself I don't show myself much. Kimony beach is much quieter and cleaner.
After four days, I'm ready to go again. On to the south!
Also read:
- Madagascar on a scooter | Part 1 | Antananarivo (Tana) – introduction
- Madagascar on a scooter | Part 2 | Antananarivo (Tana) – Antsirabe (175 km)
- Madagascar on a scooter | Part 3 | Antsirabe – Miandrivazo (220 km)
- Madagascar on a scooter | Part 4 | Tsiribihina river canoe trip – Belo-sur-Tsiribihina
- Madagascar on a scooter | Part 5 | Excursion + Boat Trip in Bekopaka and Tsingy
- Madagascar on a scooter | Part 6 | Belo-sur-Tsiribihina – Kirindy Village (60 km)
- Madagascar on a scooter | Part 7 | Spotting Baobabs & Kimony Resort
- Madagascar on a scooter | Part 8 | Morondava – Malaimbandy (155 km)
- Madagascar on a scooter | Part 9 | Malaimbandy – Antsirabe – Ambositra (450 km)