The Tsimanampetsotsa National Park is located in the deep south-west of Madagascar, in a remote area.

How to get to Tsimanampetsotsa from Antananarivo

  • Take a flight to Tulear and sleep one night there
  • Next morning take a boat to Anakao from the hotel Marina Blu in Tulear
  • 4 Rent a 4×4 car with driver and drive on a sand track from Anakao to the National Park Tsimanampetsotsa office (1.5 hours)
  • You can also stay at Le Domaine d’Ambola in a village next to the park

The park hosts a unique white lake which changes colour from bright turquoise in the morning to a milky white in the afternoon. The lake is 20 km long, 2 km wide and 2 meters deep. This is a salty lake with a high concentration of calcium. The lake is a bird paradise. There as there are 112 species of birds on this lake of which many endemic. This is the place to see the pink flamingos.

Tsimanampetsotsa national park has become a hotspot for paleontologist and scientists from all over the world. Scientists found well-preserved fossils of many animal species like turtles, crocodiles, rodents, the extinct elephant bird and giant lemurs that went extinct between 2000-500 years ago. There are altogether 25 caves which are home to a species of endemic blind fish, which are considered sacred. It is forbidden to touch or catch them. The caves are also sacred. People come here and ask for blessings. It is forbidden to swim or take a boat ride on the lake.

Highlights:

  • white lake with pink flamingos
  • the viewpoint of the lake (15 min walk)
  • 3,000 years old baobab tree
  • cave with blind fish
  • gigantic old banyan tree with the mysterious Aven cave

Recommended Tours: Green & Turquoise, Land of Baobabs