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Antsalova, Madagascar
GPS: -18.919613864119, 44.794827108915
Located in the western part of the island of Madagascar, on the vast karstic plateau of Bemaraha, the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park is the largest protected area in the country. It is divided into two distinct areas north of the town of Bekopaka: the Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve (closed to visitors) and the national park of the same name, founded in 1997.
The Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park is the first Malagasy place to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1990. Surrounded by tropical forests, lakes, mangrove areas and stretches of savannah, it contains fascinating landscapes that have been shaped over time by the movement of water and the phenomenon of erosion. Together with the Namoroka National Park located a little further north, the Tsingy de Bemaraha natural site is known for its massive stone forest representing the largest karst rock formation in the world. By retaining rainwater, this stone density has given rise to several rivers and streams as well as Lake Bemamba, the most important source of fresh water in the Melaky region. From a geological point of view, the limestone spurs of the park were formed on a sedimentary plate composed of corals and shells following the separation of the island of Madagascar from the rest of the African continent more than 150 million years ago. This geographical isolation has favoured the development of a fauna and flora that cannot be found anywhere else on the planet. Every year or so, new species of animal and plant life are discovered on the island of Madagascar (cannibal spiders, miniature frogs, wild primates, orchids…).
The topography of Bemaraha’s stone cliffs rests on a series of canyons, gorges and steep slopes in the shape of pinnacles with points that can reach up to 150 metres in height. This rugged landscape of limestone needles is called tsingy in the Malagasy language. This term means “to walk on tiptoes” because it is not possible to walk barefoot there. In spite of the sharp aspect of its stone peaks, which suggest a territory that is difficult to tame, the Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park concentrates an exceptional biodiversity of wildlife. It provides habitats for various species of lemurs, terrestrial and aquatic birds, bats, small mammals, amphibians and reptiles typical of the region. Like most of Madagascar’s protected areas, this nature sanctuary has a high proportion of endemic species (estimated at more than 80% of of plant and animal species).