The Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park is a protected area in northwest Madagascar. It is mostly in the Antsalova District, with a small part in the Morafenobe District. The park includes two major rock formations: the Great Tsingy and the Little Tsingy. Along with the nearby Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve, the National Park is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Manambolo River flows through the park.

Geology

The Tsingys are rocky plateaus formed when groundwater erodes the top layers of limestone, creating caves and cracks. In western Madagascar, near the park and surrounding Nature Reserve, the combination of vertical and horizontal erosion has produced striking "forests" of sharp limestone spikes.

The word "tsingy" comes from the Malagasy language, used to describe the rocky, uneven landscape of Madagascar. It translates to "where one cannot walk barefoot" in English.

Biology

The unique landform of the Tsingy de Bemaraha World Heritage Site, which includes a national park and a nearby protected area, creates conditions that support many species of plants and animals found only in very specific areas within the tsingys. These tsingys are made of sharp limestone formations, and their steep sides form different ecosystems. For example, the top, sides, and bottom of a tsingy's limestone needle each support distinct groups of species that live in these challenging environments.