Morondava: Kirindy Forest & Baobab Avenue Day Trip

Summary

Sunrise among baobabs, wild lemurs in Kirindy, and a long dusty road

You’ll start your day early in Morondava with hotel pickup before heading off-road toward Kirindy Forest for wild lemur sightings and a guided walk. Rest up with lunch near the reserve before continuing on to Baobab Avenue for golden-hour photos as sunset paints those ancient trees. You’ll return with dust on your shoes and something new lingering inside you.

What’s the experience like?

We were already bouncing along that red-dirt road out of Morondava when the sun started to creep up behind the baobabs. Our driver, Jean-Luc, had this way of humming under his breath — some Malagasy tune I couldn’t place — and the air smelled faintly smoky, like someone was burning brush somewhere nearby. It’s weird how you notice these little things when you’re still waking up. The drive to Kirindy Forest took about two hours but felt shorter with the windows down and all those giant trees just standing there like they’d seen everything. I tried to take a photo from the car but mostly caught my own reflection in the glass.

Kirindy itself was quieter than I expected. Our guide, Mamy, pointed out lemur calls before I even saw them — he could spot a tail flicker thirty meters away. We walked for a couple hours under thick green canopy; at one point a sifaka leapt right over our heads and Mamy just grinned like it happened every day (which it probably does). He talked about the fossa too — Madagascar’s top predator — and I remember thinking it sounded like something between a cat and a mongoose. Didn’t see one myself, but there was this hush in the forest for a minute that made me wonder if it was close by. My shirt stuck to my back from the heat and I kept slapping at mosquitoes, but honestly? That’s just part of being here.

Lunch back at Relais du Kirindy felt almost luxurious after sweating through the forest. Cold Coke never tasted so good. We lingered longer than planned because nobody wanted to step back into the sun yet — it really is brutal midday out here. Someone at another table tried to teach me how to say “baobab” in Malagasy (Li laughed when I tried — probably butchered it). After lunch we headed out again for Baobab Avenue; by then the light was starting to get softer and everything turned gold.

I didn’t expect how quiet it would be at sunset on Baobab Avenue. Just us and a handful of locals selling little wooden carvings under those massive trunks. The colors changed every few minutes — pinks, oranges, then almost purple shadows stretching across the dust. I still think about that view sometimes when I’m stuck in traffic back home. The drive back to Morondava was mostly silent; everyone tired but kind of glowing inside from all that space and sky.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Kirindy Forest and Baobab Avenue tour

• Transfer from hotel or airport
• Off-road drive to Kirindy Forest
• Trek with local guide spotting lemurs and Fossa
• Return to Relais du Kirindy for lunch and rest
• Visit Baobab sacred and Baobab in Love
• Watch sunset at Baobab Avenue
• Drive back to Morondava hotel

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Morondava to Kirindy Forest?

The drive takes about 2 hours each way, plus several hours exploring Kirindy Forest and Baobab Avenue before returning to Morondava.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, private transportation with pickup from your hotel or airport in Morondava is included.

What animals can you see in Kirindy Forest?

You may spot wild lemur species, birds, unique plants, and possibly Madagascar’s predator called fossa.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

You’ll have time for lunch at Relais du Kirindy Hotel Restaurant during your midday break.

Can I arrange a sunrise visit to Baobab Avenue?

Yes, sunrise trips to Baobab Avenue can be arranged on request (starting around 4:00 AM).

How physically demanding is this tour?

The trek through Kirindy lasts 2-3 hours; moderate fitness is recommended due to heat and uneven paths.

Are entry fees included?

All entry fees and taxes are included as part of your booking.

What should I bring for this day trip?

Sunscreen and mosquito repellent are strongly recommended due to strong sun and insects in the region.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with pickup from your hotel or airport in Morondava, all entry fees and taxes covered throughout Kirindy Forest Reserve and Baobab Avenue visits, plus time set aside for lunch at Relais du Kirindy Hotel Restaurant before heading back into town after sunset.