Highlights of Madagascar

Tsimanampetsotsa National Park

Scroll

A RAMSAR site, it is the newest designated National Park in Madagascar and one of its most unusual reserves. It comprises a milky blue 15-km long saline lake populated by pink and dwarf flamingos and other wading birds, with an adjacent limestone escarpment covered in rare pachypodium-dominated spiny forest displaying extreme adaptation to the arid environment.

Oddities include 2000 year-old, squat baobabs and a ficus tree grove with roots extending into a sinkhole river system, used by ring tailed lemurs to access drinking water. With 90 per cent of all resident species endemic to the park, it has the highest endemicity of any reserve on the island.

One species of fish is found here in the limestone cave river system which runs under the desert and spiny bush. It is a small, pink-white blind cave fish which feeds on plankton, crustaceans, and insects. There are rare avian endemics, three species of lemur including the ring-tailed (much more wild than those at Berenty), the rare radiated tortoise and the recently discovered, locally endemic Grandidier’s mongoose, first described in 1986.

An expedition to Tsimanampetsotsa can involve hot and bumpy travel and a bone-shaking ride by zebu cart. However, it is a rewarding and unforgettable experience, easily combined with a comfortable beach hotel at Ambola or Anakao.

Accommodation Near

Tsimanampetsotsa National Park

Anakao Ocean Lodge

Beautifully positioned new hotel overlooking the stunning Mozambique Channel

Inspiration

Wildlife Holidays

Madagascar
14 Days
Price from
3285
Tour type
Group Tour
View Tour
Madagascar
16 Days
Price from
3397
Tour type
Tailor-Made Tour
View Tour
Madagascar
13 Days
Price from
3993
Tour type
Family Holiday
View Tour
Madagascar
16 Days
Price from
3165
Tour type
Group Tour
View Tour
Madagascar
6 Days
Price from
1773
Tour type
Tailor-Made Tour
View Tour
Madagascar
10 Days
Price from
3295
Tour type
Tailor-Made Tour
View Tour
Madagascar
13 Days
Price from
3625
Tour type
Tailor-Made Tour
View Tour
Madagascar
19 Days
Price from
4847
Tour type
Tailor-Made Tour
View Tour
Madagascar
10 Days
Price from
3395
Tour type
Family Holiday Tailor-Made Tour
View Tour
Madagascar
17 Days
Price from
7158
Tour type
Tailor-Made Tour
View Tour
Madagascar
21 Days
Price from
5223
Tour type
Tailor-Made Tour
View Tour
Madagascar
13 Days
Price from
3232
Tour type
Tailor-Made Tour
View Tour
Madagascar
10 Days
Price from
2493
Tour type
Family Holiday Tailor-Made Tour
View Tour