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Tsingy de Namoroka National Park

Map Tsingy de Namoroka The Tsingy of Namoroka (223 km²) have been protected since 1966, but it just gained the status of National Park in 2002. It is located in the northwest part of Madagascar, about 200 km southwest of Mahajanga and 50 km south of Soalala, and belongs to the same protected complex as Baly Bay National Park. Namoroka offers a wide range of landscapes and ecosystems. It is formed mainly by grassy and shrubby savannas with incredible baobabs, and dry deciduous forest among the tsingy. This magnificent scenery becomes more attractive with subtropical forest inside the canyons, marshes and rice paddies, natural pools and caves complexes. The park main attractions are of course the tsingy formations and the rich wildlife.

The Park is inaccessible during the hot rainy season between the months of November and March. During the long and totally dry period from April to October, when Namoroka can be visited temperatures can be very high, so bring warm and light clothes and plenty of drinking water.

The rich wildlife offers a perfect counterpoint to the stunning landscapes. 18 mammal species are found in the park, including the fossa and 8 lemurs: Decken´s sifaka, Milne-Edwards sportive lemur, grey mouse lemur, common brown lemur, fork-crowned lemur, red-fronted brown lemur, eastern grey bamboo lemur and aye-aye.
Birds are also widely spread, with more than 80 species (70% endemic), among them the Henst’s goshawk, crested ibis, Schlelgel´s asity, blue pigeon or Madagascar teal. There are 5 amphibian and 30 reptile species, including the locally endemic black-and-yellow striped snake or the big-headed turtle.
Among the 220 plant species which grow in the different forests and savannas, more than 100 are endemic to Madagascar.		 red fronted lemur
Red-fronted brown lemur with baby
© Gail Johnson

The Park is closed during the hot rainy season between the months of November and March. During the long and totally dry period from April to October, when Namoroka can be visited temperatures can be very high, so bring warm and light clothes and plenty of drinking water.

There are several long and quite hard treks to walk through the tsingy and the forest, and also to explore the cave galleries, always with a guide. Fees are 10,000 Ar up to 6 people

The park access is relatively hard due to the road conditions.
The starting point to a trip to Tsingy de Namoroka should be Mahajanga (Majunga). After crossing the bay to reach Katsepy, take the poor road RN 19 until Soalala, and here continue on a not tarred terrible secondary road to reach Namoroka.
If you travel independent, you can reach Soalala with taxi-brousse, but you will need an alternative transport until the Park (zebu chart, boat or join a trip with a jeep)

Tsingy Namoroka
  Amazing view over the tsingy  © Madagascar Travel Guide

There are a couple of campsites inside the Park with very basic facilities. Another option is to overnight with the local Sakavala people at their homes to get a glimpse into the real hard life of these farmers and zebu cattle-holders.

At present there is no infrastructure to receive tourist in the park, so if you want to visit the park you must arrange a trip at the ANGAP office at Soalala.

Parc National Baie de Baly / Namoroka :
Appartement EZIDINY – Soalala 420
Tél.: 033 11 968 89
Email: bbnrk.parks@gmail.com