Things to see and do Tsingy De L’ankarana

Practical: There are now only two entrances. The most common one, and the easiest to access as well (all year round), is located in the village of Mahamasina, on the RN 6 that leads to Ambilobe (eastern entrance), it is here that the entrance tickets are on sale. Count on at least 4 hours of taxi-brousse from Diego (the road gets worse every month), 3 hours by 4x4. A round trip for the day is therefore to be avoided if possible.

Another entrance is located in the west, near the village of Amboandriky: access by sedan from June to December and by 4x4 from December to May by a track that leaves from Isesy, a few kilometers before Ambilobe. We then reach the Iharana Bush Camp.

Fady. It is advisable to respect certain prohibitions in the park. Discuss them with your guide.

A little geology and etymology. This massif emerged from the sea more than a hundred million years ago (quaternary volcanic activity). Since then, erosion has dug an incredible network (networks, we should say) of underground waters (more than 110 km!). A more recent telluric movement is at the origin of the presence of basaltic rocks and eruptive ashes. During this time, the rain, by eroding the limestone top of the massif, formed in the long run these strange sharpened crests, like a chaos of discordant organs, which one names "Tsingy".

Some people say that this word means "walking on tiptoe", because it is very difficult to walk on the ridges, and this theory seems the most credible..

The fauna and flora. In the park, one can see 11 species of lemurs, notably the crowned lemur(Eulemur coronatus) and the bushy lemur(Eulemur sanfordi), near the campsites and early in the morning or late in the afternoon; about a hundred species of birds, among which the variegated mesire(Mesitornis variegata), one of the rarest of the world. Bats (14 species, about half of all species in Madagascar), chameleons and crocodiles (60 species of reptiles and amphibians) are also part of this fascinating animal world.

The flora is not in rest, the canarium of Madagascar or the pandanus giving it to heart joy; the rupicole vegetation (adapted to the limestone rocks) is present everywhere. We can also admire the adenia, an extraordinary liana, or the taimpapango, with its white bark.

To finish, let us add that the caves are here privileged places of meeting between the living and the ancestors, for the inhabitants of the region. Every year, ritual ceremonies called " Fidirana an-davaka " take place in homage to the ancestors. And every five years, another ceremony, " Tsangan-tsaina ", is dedicated to the "change of mast": in fact, of the mast on which the flag of the Antakarana flies. It is held in the village of Ambatoharana. These ceremonies are very important for the inhabitants. There is no problem to attend, as long as you come with a sound mind and a desire to learn, discover and share. Note that shoes and hats are fady.

Beware: the park is infested with scorpions. Don't go barefoot, be careful where you pitch your tent, and don't forget aspivenin and serum if you are camping.

The Tsingy de l'Ankarana is a superb national park. As with most of Mada's national parks, guides are compulsory, with fixed guide fees. You can request one guide rather than another if you wish. There are only two entrances to the park (the^3rd was recently abolished). The most common, and also the easiest to get to (all year round), is in the village of Mahamasina, on the RN 6 road leading to Ambilobe (east entrance), where entrance tickets are on sale. Allow at least 4 hours by bush cab from Diego (the road gets worse every month), 3 hours by 4x4. An all-day round trip should therefore be avoided wherever possible.

Another entrance is to the west, near the village of Amboandriky: access by sedan from June to December and by 4x4 from December to May via a track that leaves Isesy, a few kilometers before Ambilobe. You then reach Iharana Bush Camp.

Fady. There are certain things you must not do in the park. Discuss them with your guide.

A little geology and etymology. This massif emerged from the sea over a hundred million years ago (Quaternary volcanic activity). Since then, erosion has carved out an incredible network (or networks, we should say) of underground waters (over 110 km!). A more recent telluric movement is responsible for the presence of basaltic rocks and eruptive ash. In the meantime, rain eroded the limestone summit of the massif, eventually forming these strange, sharp ridges, like a chaos of discordant organs, known as "Tsingy". Some say that this word means "to walk on tiptoe", because it's very difficult to walk on ridges, and this theory seems the most credible..

Flora and fauna. The park is home to 11 species of lemur, including the crowned-headed lemur(Eulemur coronatus) and the bushy-haired lemur(Eulemur sanfordi), which can be seen near campsites in the early morning or late afternoon; and around 100 species of bird, including the variegated mesire(Mesitornis variegata), one of the rarest in the world. Bats (14 species, around half of all species in Madagascar), chameleons and crocodiles (60 species of reptiles and amphibians) are also part of this fascinating animal world.

The flora is not to be outdone, with Madagascar canarias and pandanus having a field day, and rupicolous vegetation (adapted to limestone rocks) is everywhere. You can also admire the adenia, an extraordinary liana, or the taimpapango, with its white bark.

Last but not least, the caves here are privileged meeting places between the living and the ancestors, for the inhabitants of the region. Every year, ritual ceremonies known as " Fidirana an-davaka " pay homage to the ancestors. And every five years, another ceremony, " Tsangan-tsaina ", is dedicated to "changing the mast": in fact, the mast on which the Antakarana flag flies. It takes place in the village of Ambatoharana. These ceremonies are very important to the locals. There's no problem attending, as long as you come with a healthy spirit and a desire to learn, discover and share. Please note that shoes and hats are fady.

Warning: the park is infested with scorpions. Don't go barefoot, be careful where you pitch your tent and don't forget aspivenin and serum if you're camping.

Here are a few tour ideas to inspire you ahead of your visit to the Tsingy de l'Ankarana Park.

These are three main circuits that can be combined over 1 or 2 days. They are reopened every year after the rainy season, so their configuration can change from one year to the next. Two suspension bridges of 20 and 60 meters have been built in the park (similar to the Tsingy de Bemaraha, near Morondava). Thrills guaranteed! Follow the white-dotted path to the Meva belvedere. In season, these bridges are victims of their own success... and very busy!

From the eastern entrance (Mahamasina), here are the sites you can reach most quickly:

Small circuit (half-day, guide fee: 50,000 Ar, NB guide fees change every year, ask at reception) This circuit takes you to the loss of the river, the Chauves-souris cave, the small Tsingy (Tsingy Meva, Tsingy Rary) and the Tsingy turrets. Medium tour (full day, guiding: 70,000 Ar): same tour as above, with the addition of the large Tsingys and the suspension bridge, plus the Ambohimalaza viewpoint. Grand circuit (full day: 90,000 Ar): Benavony circuit (complete loop) and Rivière Verte.

From the western entrance (Andrafiabe), you can also reach the Crocodile Cave, the Cathedral, the Skeleton Cave, the first and second canyons, Lake Mangily and the Pigeon Cave.