Via Flickr by Olivier Lejade

The nature reserve Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict is located close to the Western coast of Madagascar. In 1990, the area of Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve was listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Specific geography, preserved mangrove forests, and many rare flora and fauna species were the main reason for that.

Big part of area is consisted of limestone karsts which is part of Bemaraha Plateau. The limestone karsts are also known as tsingy and the nature reserve got its name by them. The massif is confined to the east by the Bemaraha Cliff which rises about 400 m above the Manambolo River valley. Thanks to the rivers which flow on the plateau (both and seasonal and permanent), the Tsingy is an important water supplier for land in the area.

Although the flora in the Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve is not studied to detail, there are many species in the area. Some of them are the ebony of the west coast Diospyros perrieri, then the only wild banana in Madagascar Musa perrieria and many others. The fauna in the region also has not been studied to detail. But, we know that it is home to chameleon Brookesia Perarmata. There are 53 bird species registered to live in the area, among them grey-throated rail Canirallus kioloides. The Reserve is protected area for the endemic nesomyine rodent Nesomys rufus lambertoni. Other known species are goshawk, and many different species of lemurs.

Even the access in the Tsingy is forbidden by the law, except for the scientific researches, tourism could be very important for the region. The biggest problem is the absence of the hotels and any other kind of accommodation in the area.

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