Tsimanampetsotsa National Park is located in the southwestern region of Madagascar and is made up of the Mahafaly plateau, the great Lake Tsimanampetsotsa, and a sandy coastal plain. The area is known to be one of the most beautiful southern sites of Madagascar. The heart of the region lies at Lake Tsimanampetsotsa, which is a saline lake and supports no fish life due to its unusual chemistry. However, this wetland instead sustains a large population of pink and dwarf flamingos as well as other wading birds. The Park is also plush with the unusual and mysteriously beautiful bottle tree. The region is an extremely popular place to go for the Deep South safari tour as 90 percent of all species living within the Park are endemic to the area. Some features of this environment are 2,000-year-old quat baobab trees, the radiated tortoise, and the Grandidier’s mongoose.
There are a few different circuits that tourists can embark on when visiting Tsimanampetstsa, namely: the Tsiamaso, the Andaka, the Emande, and the Andalamaike circuits. The Tsiamaso circuit consists of a cave walk in which tourists can admire the stalagmites and stalactites as well as the famous blind fish. The Andaka circuit is a short walk along the lake’s shore so as to see the beautiful flocks of flamingos and spectacular views. The Emande circuit leads you to visit old tombs and explore the wild landscape where lemurs, reptiles, and water birds are found. Lastly, the Andalamaike circuit is a beautiful botanical walk through the arid environment that focuses on baobabs, land birds, the underground cave, and the radiated turtle species.
The Park is open every day and the best time of the year to visit is between April and December. Don’t forget your sun screen, walking shoes, and plenty of water (it’s a scarcity in this region).