The Tsingy Rouge (Red Tsingy) is located in the Diana Region of northern Madagascar, about 60 km south of Antsiranana (Diego Suarez). Situated near the village of Sadjoavato, it can be reached via the RN6 national road, then via a 4×4 journey along a dirt track to the Irodo River area.
This surreal and ephemeral landscape is composed of red laterite clay, sandstone, and marl spires, in striking contrast to the grey limestone formations of the more famous Tsingy. These “fairy chimneys” are delicate structures sculpted by intense erosion within the Irodo River basin, shaped over time by rain, wind, and local deforestation. At the entrance, we paid the fee (🎟️ 35,000 MGA) and were assigned a guide, although, as often happens, it was not mentioned that he would request an additional 30,000 MGA at the end of the visit.
The site presents a vivid and dramatic display of red, pink, white, and ochre pinnacles, forming a deep canyon filled with slender “red needles.” It resembles a lunar landscape or a scene from a fantasy film, offering a striking contrast to the surrounding green vegetation. As these formations are made of soft materials, they are constantly shaped and reshaped by natural forces, meaning the landscape is continually evolving. The area itself is relatively small, and the visit took us no more than 40 minutes.
