Your stay — Baobab Tree
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The Property — Baobab Tree
The Baobab Tree feels like a colonial-era plantation house dropped onto a tropical scrubland. Its low-rise bungalows fan out around a central pool, all tucked under the shade of a vast, ancient baobab tree — that’s not a brand name but a literal feature. The lobby is open-sided, with slow ceiling fans and a bar that smells of frangipani and rum. It suits a traveller who wants an easy, relaxed base to explore the bay and the nearby Parc National de l’Ankarafantsika, without any pretence of resort-fuss.
Chronicles of Mahajanga
Mahajanga, Madagascar’s third-largest city, grew from a small Sakalava fishing settlement into a busy port under French colonial rule from the late 19th century. The city’s grid of shaded boulevards and art deco market buildings — like the Marché de Mahajanga — dates from that era. Today it’s the capital of the Boeny region and a cultural crossroads where Antakarana, Merina and Comorian influences mix. Its faded coastal charm is real, even if the infrastructure is patchy. The annual Donia Festival in June draws thousands for music and dance, but by July the city feels quiet again.
Best Time to Visit
Full Mahajanga guide →Best months
May and October. May: end of the rainy season, everything green, low humidity. October: calm before the summer rains, stable sun, and fewer tourists than the European summer peak.
Peak / festival surge
July and August. European winter school holidays fill the hotels, especially along the Mahajanga beach strip. Prices at 4-stars like Baobab Tree rise by 20–30%. No major festival drives it — just reliable winter sun and whale-watching season (humpbacks off the coast).
Budget shoulder season
November and March offer discounts of 15–25%. November has the first rains but still plenty of clear days; March is post-cyclone season but hotels drop rates sharply and crowds are thin.
Weather & packing
Mahajanga has a tropical dry-winter climate: July is the coolest month, with average highs around 28°C and a persistent light breeze off the Mozambique Channel. Pack a light sweater for evenings, plus a rain jacket for sudden afternoon showers — don’t rely on just shorts and T-shirts.
Live City Briefing — Mahajanga
- The RN4 road from Antananarivo to Mahajanga is partially resurfaced after cyclone damage in 2024; expect reduced speed limits and some unpaved sections near Ambondromamy.
- The Mahajanga port redevelopment project broke ground in early 2025; ongoing construction means the seafront promenade near the Baobab Tree is closed in parts, but the hotel is unaffected.
- July 2026 timing overlaps with the Fête de l’Indépendance (26 June) so expect a slightly busier airport and a few street celebrations lingering into early July.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Baobab Tree, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing east, away from the main road. These floors give you a decent view of the treetops and are high enough to avoid street-level bustle.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms; they’re closest to the entrance, bar, and passing foot traffic. Also skip rooms at the back of the hotel near the service yard, where staff and deliveries start early.
Best views
East-facing rooms on upper floors look over the Baobab Tree’s garden and the lower buildings towards the coast. West-facing rooms face the main road and the town, so less interesting.
Quietest floors
Floors 3–4 are the quietest: far enough from the ground-floor bar and with less corridor traffic than lower floors.
🔊 Noise notes
Mahajanga’s main street carries trucks, motorbikes, and occasional music from nearby bars. The hotel’s own bar is active until around 11pm on weekends.
Insider tips
1) Check-in before 3pm to secure a high east-facing room—they go fast with tour groups. 2) If you’re driving, ask for a spot in the side yard; the front spaces get blocked early. 3) The best time for a quiet breakfast is 7am–8am, before the groups arrive.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Baobab Tree
Complimentary WiFi throughout. Speeds around 5 Mbps down, sufficient for browsing and email but not streaming. No login – auto-connects on selecting network
One lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections
No digital newsstand or physical papers available. The building is a 1970s modernist block with a striking baobab-shaped concrete staircase in the lobby
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop available from 10:00 at reception. Late check-out until 18:00 costs 50% of one night's rate. (Weekend check-out same policy but staff more flexible if not full)
Free storage in locked room behind reception; same-day only, no overnight
Step-free main entrance via a ramp, and lift access to all floors. No wheelchair-accessible bathrooms in standard rooms; one adapted room on request
Free on-site parking for about 20 cars, no valet. Nearest public car park is 800m south at Place du 26 Juin, 2,000 MGA per 24h. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 500 MGA per person per night (approx £0.09), collected at check-in
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required to confirm booking; at check-in a 50,000 MGA incidental hold on credit or debit card
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Aumônerie Androva (345 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: FJKM Androva Vaovao (408 m · ~5 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosquée Bohra (829 m · ~10 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosquée Nouroul Islaam (849 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Mahabibo City — 2.2 km · ~27 min walk
Banja Toalaza — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Espace FILAO — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Pharmacie hospitalière — 150 m · ~2 min walk
Chez Gaëlle — 276 m · ~3 min walk
Terminus_ligne_3_Androva — 288 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Malagasy ariary, MGA
Use bank ATMs in town for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport and tourist hotels — poor rates.
Visa accepted at larger hotels and some supermarkets; Mastercard less common. Cash essential for markets, street food, and smaller shops. Contactless rare.
Not expected but appreciated: 5-10% in restaurants if service not included, small change for hotel staff, round up taxi fare.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local coffee from a roadside stall or small kiosk: around Ar 1000–1500.
Roti or brochette (skewered meat with rice) at a local eatery: Ar 5000–8000.
Grilled fish or chicken with rice at a modest restaurant: main for Ar 8000–12,000.
Boulevard de l'Indépendance has evening food stalls; also the area near the main market (Bazar Kely) for sambos and mofo.
Super U and Leader Price are the main budget supermarkets in Mahajanga.
The grand marché (Bazar Kely) sells cheap second-hand and locally made clothing.
Town: taxi-be (shared minibus) for Ar 500 per ride. Airport: taxi-be from town centre to airport runs about Ar 2000 per person; a private taxi is Ar 15,000–20,000.
Buy bottled water and snacks at supermarkets, not tourist shops. Eat at local 'hotely' (simple eateries) rather than hotel restaurants. Haggle firmly but politely at markets.
Emergency Contacts
MahajangaDial 17 for police, 124 for ambulance, 118 for fire. In Mahajanga, the main hospital is CHU Mahajanga (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire), but response times can be slow. For serious emergencies, consider contacting your embassy first.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Mahajanga, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Baobab Tree
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie hospitalière — 150 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
City centre (any point near Coco Lodge) → Any local destination (e.g., Marché de Mahajanga, Corniche)
💡 Agree the fare before hopping on—typical for a 1–2 km ride is 2,000 MGA. Wear a hat and sunscreen, these open carts have no roof.
Amborovy Airport (MJN) → Coco Lodge, Mahajanga
💡 Pre-book via Coco Lodge for about 25,000 MGA fixed; otherwise negotiate firmly with drivers outside the terminal. The drive is paved, but potholes near town are common after rain.
Coco Lodge → Amborovy Airport (MJN)
💡 This is the safest option if you have large luggage or a late flight—drivers are reliable and speak basic French or English. Tip 5,000 MGA if luggage is heavy.
Mahajanga bus station (Gare Routière) → Central Mahajanga (near Coco Lodge)
💡 Pay exact change to avoid being overcharged. Buses run stop-to-stop along the main road; tell the driver to let you off at the Coco Lodge junction near Avenue de l'Indépendance.
About Mahajanga
Wikipedia ↗
Mahajangā ([maːˈdzaŋɡə̥]; French: Majunga) is a city and an administrative district on the northwest coast of Madagascar. The city of Mahajanga (Mahajanga I) is the capital of the Boeny Region. The district (identical to the city) had a population of 258,068 in 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Baobab Tree?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing east, away from the main road. These floors give you a decent view of the treetops and are high enough to avoid street-level bustle.
Which rooms should I avoid at Baobab Tree?
Avoid ground-floor rooms; they’re closest to the entrance, bar, and passing foot traffic. Also skip rooms at the back of the hotel near the service yard, where staff and deliveries start early.
Is Baobab Tree noisy?
Mahajanga’s main street carries trucks, motorbikes, and occasional music from nearby bars. The hotel’s own bar is active until around 11pm on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Baobab Tree?
East-facing rooms on upper floors look over the Baobab Tree’s garden and the lower buildings towards the coast. West-facing rooms face the main road and the town, so less interesting.
What are insider tips for staying at Baobab Tree?
1) Check-in before 3pm to secure a high east-facing room—they go fast with tour groups. 2) If you’re driving, ask for a spot in the side yard; the front spaces get blocked early. 3) The best time for a quiet breakfast is 7am–8am, before the groups arrive.
What time is check-in at Baobab Tree?
Check-in at Baobab Tree is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Baobab Tree have Wi-Fi?
Complimentary WiFi throughout. Speeds around 5 Mbps down, sufficient for browsing and email but not streaming. No login – auto-connects on selecting network
Is there a city or tourist tax at Baobab Tree?
500 MGA per person per night (approx £0.09), collected at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Baobab Tree?
Roti or brochette (skewered meat with rice) at a local eatery: Ar 5000–8000.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Baobab Tree?
Town: taxi-be (shared minibus) for Ar 500 per ride. Airport: taxi-be from town centre to airport runs about Ar 2000 per person; a private taxi is Ar 15,000–20,000.
When is the best time to visit Mahajanga?
May and October. May: end of the rainy season, everything green, low humidity. October: calm before the summer rains, stable sun, and fewer tourists than the European summer peak.
Top Attractions in Mahajanga
💡 Go early (7-9am) for the best selection of fresh seafood and to dodge crowds. Keep your bag zipped; pickpockets work the busy aisles.
💡 Go at sunrise to see fisher boats launch and avoid the midday heat. Vendors sell grilled zebu skewers for a few ariary.
💡 Mass is at 9am on Sundays and is a beautiful local experience. Otherwise, ask the caretaker to unlock the side door—he lives in the house next door.
💡 Wear sturdy shoes to climb the uneven steps. Best late afternoon for golden light and a cooling breeze. No shade.
💡 Entry costs about 5000 ariary (roughly £1). Feed the ring-tailed lemurs at the 10am keeper talk — bring small change for the entrance fee.