Tsingy: As sharp as a blade

The Tsingy formations are iconic landmarks for travelers visiting Madagascar. Whether marine or terrestrial, these geological wonders rank among the most astonishing on Earth.  

Omnipresent in the western regions of the Big Island, the Tsingy intrigue travelers with their unique beauty. From the Tsingy de Bemaraha in the west, to the Tsingy de l’Ankarana in the north, and the more remote Tsingy de Namoroka south of Majunga, these landscapes offer spectacular and unparalleled sights. These isolated formations also host a rich and sometimes endemic array of flora and fauna. Specially designed itineraries allow visitors to explore this extraordinary world with ease.  

Marine Tsingy

Less known but equally breathtaking, marine Tsingy formations present mesmerizing scenery with fantastical rock pinnacles rising from the water. Depending on the location, they are often adorned with red baobabs or other pachypodiums, such as in the Moramba Bay and Kamanjara areas north of Majunga, or Nosy Hara west of Diego.  

In Malagasy, "Tsingy" originates from the verb mitsingitsingy, meaning "to walk on tiptoe" or figuratively, "to proceed with caution." Indeed, the Tsingy landscapes are challenging to access, and traversing them is no simple task.

The history of the Tsingy’s formation spans vast temporal and physical scales. Today, the western part of the Big Island is encircled from north to south by vast limestone deposits of marine origin, dating back 200 million years.  

Around six million years ago, this massive sedimentary layer was gradually uplifted alongside the crystalline basement rock forming much of Madagascar. This phenomenon occurred as a result of the tectonic separation of the African and Somali plates (Madagascar/India) 160 million years ago.  

As the sea receded, coral and shell sediment layers were exposed, forming an immense plateau fissured by faults several tens of meters deep. Tropical rain runoff eroded the purest limestone through hydrochemical dissolution, sculpting these formations into sharp, stone lace-like structures.  

These combined factors gave birth to the Tsingy—rugged landscapes with razor-sharp profiles interspersed with a labyrinth of underground galleries. Above ground, the formations feature jagged limestone ridges, unique grooves known as *lapiaz*, and deep, narrow cracks called *diaclases*, making access extremely difficult.

The Tsingy’s hydrographic networks are predominantly subterranean, consisting of dense cave systems adorned with impressive stalactites, stalagmites, and stunning mineral cathedrals.  

Over the centuries, these underground networks have served as shelters or homes for local populations. The Vasimba, believed to be Madagascar’s first inhabitants, are said to have established their dwellings within these formations.

Sylvain PHILIP © Détours Madagascar 2016