Tsingy de Namoroka National Park. A true sanctuary of nature
The Tsingy de Namoroka have been protected since 1966 and belongs to the same protected complex as Baly Bay National Park. Tsingy de Namoroka offers a wide range of landscapes and ecosystems. It is formed mainly by grassy and shrubby savannas with incredible baobabs, and dry deciduous forest among the tsingy. This magnificent scenery becomes more attractive with subtropical forest inside the canyons, marshes and rice paddies, natural pools and caves complexes.
The park main attractions are of course the tsingy formations and the rich wildlife. This chaos of limestone rocks carved for thousands of years by rain and wind offers over 2000 ha a succession of caves and diaclases (narrow passages). On its sharp points grow baobabs and rare pachypodiums. It's a bit like visiting the more-famous Tsingy de Bemaraha, but without the crowds. Trails weave among the rocks, and rope bridges cross the canyons. A true sanctuary of nature and deserves to stay there at least 48h. Accomodation and catering in a family, simple and friendly for user.
Difficult to reach, but this isolated Tsingy de Namoroka National Park is home to some exceptional flora and fauna.
The rich wildlife offers a perfect counterpoint to the stunning landscapes. 18 mammal species are found in the park, including the fossa and 8 lemurs: Decken´s sifaka, Milne-Edwards sportive lemur, grey mouse lemur, common brown lemur, fork-crowned lemur, red-fronted brown lemur, eastern grey bamboo lemur and the oh-so-elusive aye-aye.
Birds are also widely spread, with more than 80 species (70% endemic), among them the Henst’s goshawk, crested ibis, Schlelgel´s asity, blue pigeon or Madagascar teal. There are 5 amphibians and 30 reptiles species, including the locally endemic black-and-yellow striped snake or the big-headed turtle.
Among the 220 plants species which grow in the different forests and savannas, more than 100 are endemic to Madagascar.
There are several long and quite hard treks to walk through the tsingy and the forest, and also to explore the cave galleries and there are fine panoramic views. Most circuits take four to six hours.
The Park is inaccessible during the hot rainy season between the months of November and March.
Watch more photos about Tsingy de Namoroka National Park here.