National park · Madagascar
Tsingy de Bemaraha ReserveRéserve de Tsingy de Bemaraha
Visit Tsingy de Bemaraha Reserve: pay the entry ticket (≈ 15 000 MGA), take the Grand Tsingy hike early in the dry season (May–Oct) for best conditions, and stay in Bekopaka village nearby.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
666 km² (257 sq mi)257 sq mi (666 km²)
approximate
Established
1990
Best months
May–Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 10Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- African islands ↗Sleep on the island you fly home from the night before your long-haul departure; inter-island flights and ferries in this region are cancelled or rescheduled often enough to break a same-day connection.
- African islands ↗In the Indian Ocean islands book flexible rates for December to March: a cyclone warning can shut airports, ferries and roads for two or three days.
- Madagascar ↗Check visa and e-visa rules for your passport on Madagascar's official e-visa portal before booking.
- Madagascar ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention and whether a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for your route.
- Madagascar ↗Hire a car with a driver for road trips; self-drive is rarely practical and driving after dark is unsafe.
- Madagascar ↗Do not buy or export wildlife, tortoise shell, precious stones without a certificate, or protected plants; enforcement at the airport is strict.
- Mahajanga Province ↗Tsingy de Bemaraha and most dirt roads into the province are dry-season only, roughly May–November; check road and park status before booking.
- Mahajanga Province ↗Hire a car with a driver; self-driving on RN4 and the western pistes is not advised for visitors.
At a glance
- Country
- Madagascar
- Area
- 666 km² (257 sq mi)257 sq mi (666 km²)
- The reserve covers 666 km² of limestone karst (National Park) plus 853 km² of strict nature reserve; figures from official sources.
- Established
- 1990
- Best months
- May–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Morondava
Tsingy de Bemaraha Reserve protects striking limestone formations and dry forest habitats, hosting endemic lemurs, birds and a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. The main attractions are the Grand Tsingy circuit and the Little Tsingy loop, accessed via Bekopaka village, with guides required for the harder routes.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1990UNESCO World Heritage Site for its limestone karst and biodiversity.
Size and age
666 km² (257 sq mi)257 sq mi (666 km²) · national park since 1990
The reserve covers 666 km² of limestone karst (National Park) plus 853 km² of strict nature reserve; figures from official sources.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Morondava.
Why go
- Explore the dramatic limestone pinnacles (tsingy) and deep canyons found only in Madagascar.
- Spot endemic lemurs and birds in a largely untouched dry forest.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecAvoid
- JanRainy, trails muddy
- FebHeavy rains, limited access
- MarTransition, occasional showers
- AprDry season starts, some heat
- MayDry, cooler, ideal walking
- JunDry, comfortable temperatures
- JulDry, good visibility
- AugDry, stable weather
- SepDry, warm, great for hikes
- OctDry, warm, less crowds
- NovEnd of dry season, occasional rain
- DecRain returns, trails slippery
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decken's sifaka and red-fronted brown lemurApr–Nov · Often seen on trails. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Madagascar fish eagle, vangas, and other endemic birdsMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Bekopaka gate | Visitor centre, ticket office, basic facilities, start of main trails. | Open daily, entry ticket required. |
| Grand Tsingy area | Steep limestone labyrinth, suspension bridges, viewpoints. | Guided access only. |
| Little Tsingy area | Easier loops, suitable for shorter hikes. | Open with ticket, guide optional. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from official park site; positions approximate for trailheads.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (Bekopaka gate) | MGA 15,000–20,000 | person | Covers main trails; price 2026 estimate |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided Grand Tsingy trek permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Mandatory for Grand Tsingy and any off‑track routes.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the reserve; stay in Bekopaka lodges.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated cooking facilities.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; no trash bins in the park.
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Bekopaka village lodges
Basic bungalows and eco‑lodges within walking distance of the gate.
Near the park
Morondava town
Hotels and guesthouses, 4 h drive from the park.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Getting lost on steep tsingy high
Road conditions medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate area reachable by car; short walks are on uneven terrain.
- Grand Tsingy circuit involves ladders and steep steps; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Choose locally‑run lodges and guides; fees support park conservation.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; bring reusable bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Tsingy de Bemaraha Reserve?
Entry is about 15 000–20 000 MGA per person (2026 estimate); the fee includes access to main trails.
What are the best hikes in Tsingy de Bemaraha Reserve?
The Grand Tsingy circuit (hard, 4–6 h) offers the iconic limestone maze; the Little Tsingy loop is a moderate 2–3 h alternative.
When is the best time to visit Tsingy de Bemaraha Reserve?
The dry season May – October provides clear trails and good visibility; avoid the rainy months Jan‑Mar and Dec.
Do I need a guide for all hikes?
A guide is mandatory for the Grand Tsingy circuit and any off‑track routes; Little Tsingy can be done with or without a guide.
Can I camp inside the reserve?
Camping is not allowed; stay in Bekopaka village lodges or in Morondava.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Tsingy de Bemaraha Reserve
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