Peaceful Morondava looks out over the Mozambique Channel, the stretch of Indian Ocean between the countries of Madagascar and Mozambique. With a long, quiet beach and a landscape of gigantic baobab trees, mangrove forests, and wide-eyed lemurs, Morondova is an ideal place to immerse yourself in the warmth of Madagascar’s culture and climate. Things to do in Morondava include taking a tour of the majestic Avenue of the Baobabs, hiking through the dry woods of Kirindy Mitea National Park, and browsing the local artisan market.
The otherworldly-looking baobabs that line the road into Morondava are at their most impressive in full bloom, during the rainy season from November to February. However, this time of year often means that roads become muddy and difficult to travel, and underwater visibility for snorkeling and scuba diving is worse. If you’re hoping for warm, dry weather, plan to visit between April and October.
In Madagascar, boats are a primary form of transportation, and many of the main attractions around Morondava are most easily accessed by boat. Luckily, there are plenty of locals offering tours of the nearby mangroves and fishing village. While Morondava itself is small and walkable, most visitors fly into the small local airport and then rent a car to explore the surrounding regions.
Madagascar is known for its incredible seafood, and it doesn’t get fresher than what’s on offer in Morondava. Take a canoe trip to nearby Mangily Village, where you can buy freshly caught lobster and have it cooked on the beach for you to enjoy while watching the dhows (traditional Madagascar fishing boats) pulling in the day’s catch. The trip to Mangily takes about two hours each way, and you’ll pass mangrove forests and beautiful stretches of coastline.
