Tsimanampetsotsa National Park

Tsimanampetsotsa National Park spans approximately 230,740 hectares and is composed of a spiny forest on the Mahafaly limestone plateau, the Salt Lake of Tsimanampetsotsa, and numerous caves and sinkholes. The lake itself is one of Madagascar's earliest Protected Areas and has been designated a RAMSAR site since 1998, recognizing it as a wetland of international importance and a key migration site for flamingos and other water birds.

Exploring the Park

Lake Tsimanampetsotsa

Lake Tsimanampetsotsa is the only Salt Lake in Madagascar and the fifth-largest on the island, measuring about 15 km long, 2.5 km wide, and 2 meters deep. Its surface area varies seasonally, ranging from 1,600 to 2,900 hectares.

The lake is particularly striking due to its colors, which shift three times a day —from white, due to its high concentration of calcium sulfate and white clay, to green topaz, and finally turquoise blue. This unique characteristic makes it uninhabitable for fish, hence its name Tsimanampetsotsa, meaning "without dolphins."

The lake’s shores are teeming with bird species, most of which are endemic. Notable species include Verreaux’s Coua, Archbold's Newtonia, the Madagascar Plover, and Lafresnaye’s Vanga. During the dry season, from April to November, flocks of greater and lesser flamingos nest along the lake’s edges.

Wildlife

The park serves as a sanctuary for diverse wildlife, including:

- Four species of lemurs, such as the iconic Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) and Verreaux’s Sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi). 

- 39 species of reptiles, including the Radiated Tortoise (Geochelone radiata), an endemic species of southern Madagascar that is critically endangered. 

- 112 bird species, many of which are endemic. 

- Grandidier’s mongoose (Galidictis grandidieri), a mammal species found only within the park.

In addition, the park features three submerged caves that house blind cavefish (Typhleotis madagascariensis). These caves are part of a subterranean water network formed by limestone collapses. In October 2014, paleontologists discovered the largest fossil deposit ever found in one of these submerged caves during a scientific expedition.

Flora

The park's flora is characterized by a dense xerophilous forest, unique to the limestone plateau, featuring endemic species such as baobabs and pachypodiums.

Climate

The park experiences a sub-arid climate with 7 to 9 months of dry season annually. Rainfall is sparse, averaging about 300 mm per year, and the average annual temperature is 23°C.