TRAVEL AFRICA
The iconic Avenue of the Baobabs is one of Madagascar’ s most recognisable sights – and with good reason. Around 25 of these 30m-high baobabs, which are endemic to the island, line a 200m stretch of the unpaved Road No. 8. At sunset, the sky turns a syrupy deep gold, the trees cast long shadows, and the whole landscape takes on an ethereal beauty.
its beautiful unpredictability. It’ s wild, chaotic, and completely unforgettable. Roads might be bumpy and plans don’ t always stick, but that’ s half the fun. Madagascar doesn’ t feel polished or over-packaged: its appeal lies in its strangeness, authenticity, and the ability to be ridiculously exciting at every turn.
If you’ re looking for a destination that feels genuinely different, Madagascar more than answers the call. IB
But Madagascar isn’ t only about the spectacle. It’ s also about the variety. One minute you’ re trekking through dense rainforest, the next you’ re barefoot on a beach that feels completely removed from the rest of the world. Spots like Nosy Be island serve up turquoise waters, coral reefs, and that laid-back island rhythm that makes you forget what day it is.
Food here is another welcome surprise. Fresh seafood, fragrant rice dishes, and a Franco- African influence to its cuisine that gives it its own character. And don’ t leave without trying the vanilla: Madagascar produces some of the best in the world. It will ruin all the other pods for you.
What makes Madagascar truly special, though, is
10 INBOUND SA / JUNE 2026