Le baobab and other Mahajanga, Madagascar General Tips

Favorite Thing: I guess it's not that common for a city to have this amazing tree as its emblem... Yes, but Mahajanga has it.

This baobab has even a name, "Le baobab" and is multicentennial. Some speak of the 700-y-o baobab too. It is one of biggest baobab trees in the whole island.

It is the landmark of the city, which you can orientate yourself with. Facing the sea, turn your back to Le Baobab:
- On your right is the way to Pointe de la corniche, Pointe du caïman and Port Schneider;
- On your left, the avenue that leads to Pinte de sable and Port aux boutres;
- In your back, Aenue de France, strating from Le baobab and dividing the city from West to East.

I was told it has a circumference of 21,70 m (at 1m height ). Height: less than 10m though.

Worth noticing: 5 of 6 baobab species in the whole Africa are in Madagascar as endemic species.

Fondest Memory: The city seems to be particular from hosting those particular trees: the multi-centennial "Le baobab" tree, banian trees... All enormous!

A name given to Mahajanga is also "La cité des fleurs". The West-coast city of Mahajanga (Majunga in french) seems to inherit its name from MJI ANGARA in a local arabo-malagasy dialect. Its name would mean La Cité des Fleurs (MJI : cité - city, Angara : fleur - flower).

Mahajanga is the capital city of the Sakalava, as is Tana to Merina people.

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Favorite Thing: Sunset watching and people watching are amongst nightlife activities in coastal area.

Mahajanga urban seafront is really agreable for its ambience. Walking along the seafront on Bd Poincarré is something to do if you want to skip the nightclubs and still have a glimpse on locals and holidaymakers habits. Youngsters, and less young ones, use to go out after evening meal to gather in seafront, have some kebabs, some chat and drinks. Some play guitar and you can hear acapella song sometimes. It's just far different from Tana streets. Here, in Mahajanga, you can sit on the benches or on the pavement, have some good time with friends, in the heat of night. The Tana girl in me, was really delighted to do that in wintery August when it was full moon.

Bathing is though impossible since it's not convenient to access the urban area beach. Also, for the urban beach being right on Bombetoka Bay, it contains lots of sediment that uses to be trailed by the Betsiboka river (a big one). Indeed, the view from urban seafront is superb, you'll have to head to further North spots ( Amborovy beach or others) to be able to bath in the blue water of Canal de Mozambique.

Fondest Memory: It was in Mahajanga that I watched and marvelled at a boat (I mean.. a tall ship) at night, all lit up. It was gorgeous. I think it was a Russian pavillion, if I recall it well.

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Favorite Thing: For beach activity, you will have to go out of urban Mahajanga.

Head to Amborovy beach, for example. A resort housing holiday home of Malagasy wealthy families. The rest of the year, the area is left to locals.

Life was cool from what I saw: fishermen sold their "hunt" to holidaymakers.

In Mahajanga suburb, one can easily find nice little hotel complex, with swimming pool and nice bungalows. As far as I could see, the buildings were built in respect of the landscape. But one never knows, it may have changed by then.

Fondest Memory: My best experience of beach activity in Madagascar was here.

While swimming, I looked at the cliff and said myself that I could die at this moment. I saw the nicest beach spot I ever went to... Off course, you can't see it from the pic since I should have shooted it while swimming then.

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Favorite Thing: This tree always amazes me with its multiple trunks.

Don't kow its name. I thought it was a banian bt I am not sure.

Fondest Memory: The city seems to be particular from hosting those particular trees: the multi-centennial "Le baobab" tree, banian trees... All enormous!

A name given to Mahajanga is also "La cité des fleurs". The West-coast city of Mahajanga (Majunga in french) seems to inherit its name from MJI ANGARA in a local arabo-malagasy dialect. Its name would mean La Cité des Fleurs (MJI : cité - city, Angara : fleur - flower).

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Favorite Thing: Be it in the gardens of Royal Palace of Antananarivo, in the streets of Toamasina city or in Toliara... you will be surprised by this enchanting smell of frangipani...

Hmmm, those white and yellow-gold-hearted flowers.

They may be pinkish or a bit ochre as well, like here on the picture.

Frangipani flowers are one of Monoi oil components... Isn't that a sure sign of sensuality?

Fondest Memory: Mahajanga streets and gardens abunds in this tree type too.

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