Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, in the west, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the strangest landscapes on earth. Tsingy means walking on tiptoe in Malagasy, and the park is a forest of razor-sharp limestone pinnacles, up to 100 metres high, split by deep canyons and gorges. Walkways, ladders and suspension bridges lead through the Great Tsingy, with views across the stone forest.
The park is also a refuge for rare wildlife, including Decken's sifaka, the red-fronted brown lemur, the white-fronted brown lemur and several rare birds. The Manambolo River gorge, which you can explore by pirogue, has caves and cliffs.
The Tsingy is remote and the road from Morondava is long and slow. The park is open from about May to November, with the best time from June to mid-October.
Decken’s sifaka is the best-known lemur. Others include the red-fronted brown lemur and the white-fronted brown lemur. Mouse lemurs live on night walks, and the forest has chameleons and rare birds, including the Bemaraha lesser vanga.
Chance of seeing
Our estimate for a stay of two or three nights with a good guide. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is promised.
A forest of limestone needles, with deep gorges, caves and tropical dry forest, and a view across a landscape found nowhere else.
Activities here
The Tsingy is hot and dry from May to October, and hot and wet from December to March. The road is impassable for much of the wet season, and the park closes.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 34 | 23 | 300 |
| Feb | 34 | 23 | 270 |
| Mar | 34 | 23 | 200 |
| Apr | 33 | 22 | 40 |
| May | 31 | 19 | 10 |
| Jun | 29 | 17 | 3 |
| Jul | 28 | 16 | 2 |
| Aug | 30 | 17 | 2 |
| Sep | 32 | 19 | 5 |
| Oct | 34 | 21 | 25 |
| Nov | 35 | 23 | 100 |
| Dec | 35 | 23 | 230 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
May to October is dry and sunny, with warm days and cool nights. Climbing the Tsingy is most comfortable in the early morning.
December to March is wet, and the roads are impassable. The park is closed.
June to mid-October is the best time. The rains can arrive earlier than expected, so avoid the end of October onwards.
Best time to visit Jun to Sep
The Tsingy is about ten hours by road from Morondava, including a ferry crossing, with a rough track on the final stretch. Most guests allow at least three nights for the journey and the visit. The FCDO advises against night driving.
Park entry and a guide are required and are included in our tours. Please see the Madagascar page for visa details.
The Tsingy is a malaria area, so please take advice. The Grand Tsingy circuit needs reasonable fitness and a head for heights. Wear sturdy shoes with a good grip and carry plenty of water.
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“Our take”
Give the Tsingy two nights, and choose the early morning for the Great Tsingy, before the heat.
Safaris from
US$2,482 per person
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