Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve (Malagasy: Tsingin'i Bemaraha, French: Réserve naturelle intégrale du Tsingy de Bemaraha) is a protected area near the western coast of Madagascar in the Melaky Region. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990 because of its unique geography, well-preserved mangrove forests, and the presence of wild birds and lemurs.

National Park

The southern part of the protected area became Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in 1997. The northern part remains a strict nature reserve (Réserve Naturelle Intégrale). The borders were most recently changed in 2011.

This area is known for tall, needle-shaped limestone rocks that rise above cliffs over the Manambolo River. These sharp limestone formations can cut through tools and skin easily, making it very hard to walk through them. The word "Tsingy" comes from a local language and means "the place where you cannot walk barefoot."

Tourism

Tourists can reach the national park by road from Morondava, a town located 150 kilometers south of the park. Limited access is also available from the town of Antsalova. Antsalova can be reached by airplane from Antananarivo or Mahajanga.