A dirt road between Morondava and Belon’i Tsiribihina is home of a group of giant trees – Making the road is one of the most popular and visited places in Madagascar… Sounds pretty ridiculous… Right?

Wrong.

As far as dirt roads go, the Avenue of the Baobabs might just be my favourite road in Madagascar (along with the many couples and flock of Chinese tourists that seemed to love it as well).

But the main attraction here hits the stage at approximately 6pm. All over Madagascar the liquid orange sun bellies out on the horizon, bathing everything for the briefest of moments in amber and gold. But few spots can surpass Madagascar’s Avenue of the Baobabs for brilliant sundown splendour.

If you are lucky enough (and strategic enough) to arrive amongst the giant trees in time for sunset and you’re in for a soul-lifting visual treat. Up to 800 years old, these endemic renala, Malagasy for ‘mother of the forest’, are the majestic legacy of a long defunct tropical jungle. Now, the fat-trunked, 30 metre trees reign in isolation, creating a surreal copse that, with the sun behind, bands the landscape with shadows and golden light.

The Avenue of Baobabs is perhaps the most photographed place in the country – and it is not hard to see why.

Apparently he avenue is also the most accessible place to see the Baobab trees in Africa…I wouldn’t call my experience in getting there ‘most accessible’, considering it involved a broken vehicle, a few mechanics and a whole lot of break downs and precarious towing. But even with a working 4×4, (you’re in Madagascar so good luck finding one), the bumpy and curvy road demands an experienced driver (once again… Good luck).

But seriously, this is one of the real highlights of Western Madagascar (along with the notorious Tsingy) and definitely worth the crazy journey involved to see that giant ball of fire disappear beyond the horizon.

The easiest place to access the Avenue of the Baobabs is Morondava. Either catch a taxi-brousse (or use the more luxurious Loic Tours) From Antananarivo, or fly in with Air Madagascar (the taxi-brousse of the sky). From there hire a 4×4 and driver and visit the Tsingy and Avenue in the one trip – or join an organised evening tour from one of the many tour companies in Morondava.

Don’t expect everything to be well organised and simple though… You are in Madagascar after all.

(Oh and a quick tip: Do not be the person who walks in front of the crowd to take a sunset selfie… You may get a few angry Spanish tourists verbally tearing you apart)

Good luck.