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A difficult place to reach - Located in Madagascar's Antsalova district, the natural reserve is one of the world's most difficult-to-reach UNESCO World Heritage sites.

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A cathedral of limestone needles - The rare and eerie geological phenomena were once submerged, some 200 million years ago.

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It's gigantic! - The Madagascar reserve is approximately 595 sq km (230 sq miles) in size.

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It's also very tall - The stone towers rise 100 m (330 ft) from the ground.

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A dangerous place - The distinctive razor-sharp rock formations were created by erosion from tropical rain, which washed away the softer stone and left killer spikes.

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You couldn't dream up an image like this - The land may seem unforgiving, but it also offers a world of beauty in its menacing looks. 

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A range of ecosystems - The summit, slope, and base of the limestone needles form different ecosystems, attracting a variety of species that cling to their remarkably steep slopes.

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Ripe for exploring - The undisturbed forests, lakes, and mangrove swamps are perfect for the more adventurous tourist.  

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The spectacular canyon of the Manambolo river - Sure, it's infested with crocodiles, but it's also breathtakingly beautiful!

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A visual stage of evolution - The landscape expresses a stage of the earth's evolution in the form of a forest of stones.

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Immerse yourself in geological history - You don't have to be an expert to be in awe of the amazing structures. 

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The name - The word "tsingy" is indigenous to the Malagasy language and translates aptly to: “where one cannot walk barefoot.”

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You can, however, walk with shoes - The reserve is actually accessible to whoever has the guts to climb the stones. 

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Accessible thanks to the Antsika Association - French explorer Jean-Claude Dobrilla founded the Antsika Association (antsika means "together" in Malagasy) in the '90s. The association is designed to help the Malagasy preserve and profit from its natural resources.

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They installed aerial suspension bridges, steel cables, pegs, and ladders - With the help of trained local guides and climbing harnesses, you can traverse the land safely. 

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The adventure of a lifetime - Exploring the reserve would be next to impossible without the help of proper equipment, so it's an extraordinary opportunity to be able to do so now.

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Not the place to go if you have a fear of heights - But the views are definitely exhilarating, judging from the photographs.

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The wildlife - Though the dramatic rocky landscape seems inhospitable to nature, it’s actually home to several forms of resilient wildlife.

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Trees seem to sprout without roots - Emerging with an incredible gentleness from the jagged stone peaks are amazing splashes of bright green.

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Numerous wild bird populations - Species include the Malagasy paradise flycatcher (pictured). 

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17 endemic reptile species - Including a miniscule chameleon, and several iguanas.

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100 different species of lemur - Including the amazing sifaka species.

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Quite a place to raise a family - Lemurs are adept from a very young age in navigating the tough landscape.

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The Ankarana sportive lemur - This rare endemic lemur is nocturnal, and can almost exclusively be found in this reserve.

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They get creative with their food - What seems, to humans, like a plant to avoid is actually a source of sustenance to the animals.

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Endemic species - Endemic species are those that are unique to a defined geographic location. In the reserve, wildlife is found throughout different places within the rock structures, with some species unique to an area as small as a single limestone spike. 

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The formations seem impossible - Only the passage of thousands upon thousands of years could create these shapes. 

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Expeditions are difficult, but rewarding - Expeditions to the area tend to result in the discovery of a plant or animal previously unrecorded by science.

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Even getting to the park is no easy feat - Located on Madagascar's remote west coast, the park is only accessible by dirt road, which becomes a near impossible task during the annual six-month rainy season.

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It's worth it -

The park is universally recognized for the stunning effect created by the shades of forest green mixing with the metallic reflections of the spiky grey rock.

See also: Inside the world's most haunted forest

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