One of the many unique experiences we can include in a trip to Madagascar is to see the dramatic tsingy limestone rock formations. There are a number of locations you can find these in north and west Madagascar, the most famous of which is the Tsingy de Bemaraha, included on our Madagascar Encompassed group tour itinerary. The name ‘tsingy’ comes from the Malagasy word ‘mitsingitsingy’, which means ‘walking on tiptoes’ or ‘where one cannot walk barefoot’ – a new favourite image and fact for me! 

I was lucky enough to visit multiple tsingys in northern Madagascar. Namoroka Tsingy National Park, located in Northwest Madagascar and only really accessible by charter plane, or days and days of driving on some of the bumpiest roads in the country (and that is really saying something!) – I recommend the former option! Namoroka Tsingy National Park is one of Madagascar’s most unexplored ecosystems, which means when you set out on excursions each day, you likely will be the only tourists exploring that section of the park that day, an absolute privilege! 

We explored tsingy caves, did both night and day walks, had sundowners amongst the jagged rocks and possibly my favorite of all, visited a flying fox roost – you’ll hear the bats long before you see them!  

What Wild Frontiers trip is complete without a visit to an off-the-beaten-track gem like this one?!