Tsingy De Bemaraha National Park Photos

Tsingy De Bemaraha National Park Photos

Tsingy de Bemaraha is a spectacular landscape of otherworldly, jagged limestone pinnacles. The national park and nature reserve center around two geological formations, the Great and Little Tsingy.

This stunning karstic wilderness is home to rare and endemic lemurs, including the elusive Decken's Sifaka, as well as perfectly camouflaged reptiles. Its otherworldly landscape is also a draw for adventure travelers.

1. Lemurs

Lemurs are Madagascar’s most iconic species, ranging from mouse-sized to the size of a domestic cat and exhibiting a variety of fascinating behaviors. The largest is the indri lemur, which carries a silky-smooth tail and marks tree bark with scent. It can also jump nimbly between the spires of the tsingy.

The tsingy’s dry tamarind gallery forest is home to several lemur species, including the adorable and acrobatic Verreaux’s sifaka, which can often be seen ‘dancing’ between the rocks. Berenty Reserve is renowned for its high population density of ring-tailed lemurs and is where many photographers come to capture that classic image.

Other top spots to see lemurs include Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, which has a habituated population of indri and diademed sifaka, and Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park for Milne-Edwards’ sifaka. Our travel experts are on hand to create your tailor-made tour of Madagascar, including visits to these special wildlife sites.

2. Sunset

Tsingy De Bemaraha National Park Photos

Tsingy de Bemaraha is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s characterized by lunar-like landscapes, towering limestone pinnacles, and a plethora of endangered wildlife. It’s also a beautiful place at sunset, when the sunlight illuminates the rocks in a range of earthy colors.

The park’s name comes from the Malagasy word for “walking on tiptoes,” which is an apt description of its wild landscape. The karstic formations, which include the Grand Tsingy and Petit Tsingy, resemble stone forests from above—but are actually a maze of sharp, rocky spires that are challenging to explore on foot. Luckily, there are plenty of trails and ladders to help you navigate the labyrinthine cliffs. The surrounding Kirindy Forest is another biodiversity hotspot, home to endemic lemurs and the elusive fossa (like a large weasel mixed with a house cat). You can also embark on guided night walks to spot nocturnal animals in this enchanting natural wonder.

3. Waterfall

Tsingy De Bemaraha National Park Photos

The rocky limestone formations of the Tsingy de Bemaraha nature reserve are called “tsingy” in the local language, meaning “walking on tiptoes.” They create an otherworldly landscape of towers and rifts, a spectacular canyon-like cathedral. Exploring the park by foot is challenging and rewarding, with a series of trails to navigate across and around these imposing granite pinnacles.

The Tsingy de Bemaraha reserve protects a remarkably diverse and unique fauna and flora in the drier western side of Madagascar. It has been designated a world heritage site and its impenetrable nature makes it largely immune to threats such as logging, agricultural encroachment, and fire.

This true-color image from NASA’s Earth Observing-1 satellite reveals a portion of the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park. The bare rocks and green vegetation appear to form long lines of contrasting color, though this illusion is created partly by the angle of the sun.

4. Wildlife

The Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve is a unique natural landscape, home to endemic lemurs and other wildlife and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit here is a highlight of any Madagascar yacht charter.

The name Tsingy is a Malagasy word meaning “walking on tiptoes,” and it perfectly captures the experience of traversing this otherworldly landscape of limestone towers, rifts, and canyons that look like stone cathedrals. The reserve is a hiking paradise for adventurous travelers.

The park is a haven for lemurs, with 11 species recorded. The most common are the charismatic Verreaux’s sifaka and Decken’s sifaka, which is also known as the John Cleese lemur, after the Fawlty Towers actor. The reserve is also home to the elusive Bemaraha woolly lemur.

5. Landscape

Tsingy De Bemaraha National Park Photos

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Tsingy de Bemaraha is an iconic natural wonder of the planet. Featuring a stunning geological formation of limestone massifs that have been eroded into impressive karst pinnacles, the park is home to a wide range of endemic species and offers a unique and breathtaking environment.

This image, captured by the Advanced Land Imager on NASA’s Earth Observing-1 satellite, shows a portion of Tsingy de Bemaraha in true color. Naked rocks and vegetation produce a patchwork of greens and grays, while the rock formations appear to form long lines that run roughly north to south.

Erez Marom is a professional nature photographer and photography guide based in Israel. He runs highly personalized photo tours and workshops around the globe.