The Tsingy National Park in Ankarana is one of the most beautiful National Parks in Madagascar. Managed by Madagascar National Parks, the Tsingy of Ankarana is located in the Ambilobe District belonging to the Diana Region in the North of Madagascar. To get there, from Antananarivo you have to follow the RN4 to Ambondromamy, then turn right onto the RN6 to Ambilobe, from there you have to continue to the village of Mahamasina (entrance to the Park). If from Antsiranana, you must follow the RN6 for a distance of 108 km to the entrance to the park at the village of Mahamasina.
The visit to the park begins along a pleasant path through the dense natural dry forest of Ankarana. All along the journey, you will have the opportunity to observe many species of plants but also endemic animals including lemurs (Eulemur coronatus, Eulemur fulvus sanfordi And Lepilemur septentrionalis), birds (Mesitornis variegata, Lophotibus cristataCrested Coa, Flycatcher), without forgetting the insects characteristic of Ankarana.
The first path leads to an impressive hole called “Perte de Rivière”. It is an enormous siphon into which, in the rainy season, the rivers of the Ankaranare massif flow. These waters then join the Mozambique Channel which is located around twenty kilometers from Ankarana, via an underground river.
After the walk in the dense dry forest and the observation of the loss of river, you will be amazed by the landscape offered by the Tsingy and its population. On the tsingy, the vegetation is dominated by Commiphora arafi, Pandanus, Euphorbia ankaranensis, Tacca ankaranensis. The first Tsingy to absolutely see is called “Tsingy Rary”.
The tsingy which bears the name of Benavony is the most spectacular due to its picturesque landscape and its great extent. Here, two suspension bridges are installed to cross two small canyons. Benavony Cave also has magnificent concretions.
Among the main tourist attractions of the Park are the Caves. The Andrafiabe Cave and the Cathedral Cave are the best known. They offer a special spectacle with their pretty formations of concretions. The Cathedral Cave is particularly impressive thanks to a large opening in its ceiling from which beautiful rays of sunlight penetrate, illuminating the center of the cave.
Canyons are also legion in the Tsingy National Park in Ankarana. We can see, among other things, the Buttes de Chaumont canyon which connects two caves. The vegetation of the canyon is characterized by Dalbergia, Hildegardia, the Moraceae (Ficus) families, the Burseraceae (Canarium) families and the Rutaceae (Zanthoxylon) families.
In addition to the forests and the tsingy, three main rivers supply the Tsingy Park of Ankarana, namely: Andranomandevy in the North, Besaboba in the East and Mananjeba in the South. An inexhaustible stream called Amposatelo has its source on the largest extent of the tsingy. It is a source of drinking water and fresh swimming to quench your thirst during your walk.
Note that the Ankarana National Park can be visited all year round unlike the Tsingy de Bemaraha which remains inaccessible during the rainy season, from November to April.
Rasamy
