Morondava

Morondava is a coastal town on the west coast of Madagascar. It is connected to the capital by regular flights and is an ideal base for exploring the famous Avenue of the Baobabs. The town is less crowded than the capital and offers good beaches extending far to the north.

The dry season (April to October) is the best time to visit, with daytime temperatures around 27°C and nighttime around 14-15°C. The water is as warm as the Mediterranean in summer (about 24°C). The downside is that the town is very dry and dusty with blowing sand. In the summer rainy season it is hot, sticky, and muddy.

By Plane

Madagascar Airlines operates twice-weekly flights from Antananarivo (1 hour). Morondava Airport (MOQ IATA) is a few km from the main area.

By Car / Road

Overland options include local taxi-brousse or private car hire. Driving from Antananarivo takes 9-12 hours depending on the vehicle. Antsirabe to Morondava takes approximately 7 hours. Cotisse Transport runs from Antananarivo via Antsirabe (55,000 Ar, +261 32-11020701).

The town is about a 30-minute walk from one end to the other. Taxis are available and needed to go to the airport, a few km away. Taxi drivers may claim they do not have change, so carry the right amount.

• Avenue of the Baobabs (17 km northeast of Morondava) — a spectacular stand of huge baobab trees (Adansonia grandidieri), some over 800 years old and 30+ m tall. Best photographed at sunset. Taxis will take you round trip for 60,000 Ar.
• Kirindy Forest Reserve (50 km north) — 10,000-hectare reserve with the greatest density and diversity of primates in the world. Home to 8 lemur species, fossa, and over 60 bird species. Dorm beds 35,000 Ar, bungalows available.
• Kirindy Mite National Park (60 km south) — seldom-visited park with beaches, inland lakes, 7 offshore islands, and spiny forest. Home to 3 species of baobabs and ring-tailed lemurs.
• Tsingy de Bemaraha (200 km north) — a UNESCO World Heritage site, Madagascar's largest reserve (152,000 hectares) with razor-sharp limestone pinnacles. A 4-day 4x4 trip from Morondava is the most common way to visit.

Hire a 4x4 and driver to visit Kirindy Nature Reserve and the Avenue of the Baobabs. The reserve has knowledgeable guides who conduct walking tours to see lemurs, lizards, and other wildlife. Kirindy can be done as a day trip or overnight.

• Chez Alain maintenant (Avenue de l'Independance, +261 32 83 409 86) — excellent seafood and grilled chicken.

Bottled water is essential. Local cafes and bars serve soft drinks, coffee, and THB beer throughout the town. The beach bars on Nosy Kely are popular at sunset.

Most accommodation is on Nosy Kely, a coastal promontory walkable from the centre.

• Chez Maggie Hotel — comfortable bungalows and chalets close to the ocean. Excellent restaurant. Offers excursions to regional attractions.
• Baobab Cafe — comfortable rooms, French-run with excellent restaurant.
• Trecigogne (Nosy Kely) — popular budget option, ventilated rooms from 60,000 Ar, free Wi-Fi.
• Morondava Beach — economy bungalows with fan and cold water, from 23,000 Ar. Restaurant and bar with Wi-Fi.
• Renala au Sable d'Or (Nosy Kely, +261 32 0497688) — bungalows in a private coconut grove.
• Zoom Hotel (Route de la Plage, +261 20-9552059) — double rooms with bathroom from 30,000 Ar.
• Rovasoa Hotel (+261 33-8955969) — single/double rooms with own bathroom from 30,000 Ar.
• Eden Rock Hotel (centre-ville, near Cotisse Transport) — rooms from 35,000 Ar.

• BFV-SG Bank (Avenue de l'Independance) — 24-hour ATM, accepts Mastercard and Visa.
• Rouheenan Supermarket (Rue Principale, 09:00-18:00).
• BOA Bank of Africa — 24-hour ATM, Visa only. Other ATMs: BNI (Mastercard/Visa), AccesBanque (Mastercard/Visa).

• Avenue of the Baobabs (17 km northeast) — the iconic baobab alley.
• Kirindy Forest Reserve (50 km north) — prime lemur and birdwatching.
• Tsingy de Bemaraha (200 km north) — UNESCO-listed limestone pinnacles.
• Belo sur Mer — fishing village accessible by pirogue.
• Antsirabe (approx 7 hours east) — highland city with crater lakes.